Using Water Jets to Sink Piling in Lake Bottom.

[BXMMCC]

"Don't use a water jet to set your piles if you have cold winters with ice formation on the water! I know some folks in the business and some do just that."

My first waterfront property was on the Delaware Bay, lots of icing during several winters - all piles were jetted, one (in 13 years) lifted from the ice.
Second waterfront property was in Ocean City, NJ. All piles jetted (as were all the neighbors) not as much icing, none ever lifted - owned that one for 15 years. Could be that both places were on mostly sandy/some clay soil.
Skin friction is what counts - whether they're jetted or driven.
Some good reading is available - "Pile Foundations" by Robert D Chellis, B.S., C.E.

 

[Moon]

We put in permanent docks, but do it differently. We have this thing we call 'Big Bertha', that we drive the 4x4's in with. This thing weighs about 90lbs and fits over the top of the 4x4. It's about 3' tall and 12" round. The top 6 inches is weighted with something solid (steel or cast iron i would guess), and it has two handles coming out either side on the top. All we do is cut a 45 or point on the 4x4, stand the 4x4 where we want it. Put 'Big Bertha' on top of the 4x4, then a couple of us get on ladders by the 4x4 and lift 'big Bertha' a couple feet off the top and pull her back down on the 4x4. Repeat 30 or 40 times and she's in to stay.
We build a set of docks 15 years ago this way and they are still standing. One part on top needs some new boards but the 4x4's are doing fine. We always try'd to get at least 4' into the riverbed. It has worked like a champ for us. Since we started doing it this way neighbors up and down the river from us have borrowed Bertha and done the same thing.

If interested I'll post a pic of 'Big Bertha'. She's big and bad, but she does a heck of a job for us.

Good luck with your dock!

Moon of Ohio

 

[polecat]

So how did yer dock work out!!!

Wrougten harv hit it on the nail!!!! Guess i'm jist gonna have to go to texas to meet this guy!!!
Ive set 90' wood poles in sand on the outer banks using the high pressure water system...like one of the other posters said...3/4 " pipe with 45 deg on end powered by even a high pressure jpower washer...u wouldnt need much and the water forund the post helps u plumb them..doesnt take a whole lot to sink a pipe in muck ..put the 3/4 inside of yer 2 or 3" pipe and set her rip!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif..when we set our poles we had 2 guys on either sid with rubber gloves on(yes there was power on the existing 50'ers) and we would work the pole up between the 3 phases and (with hard guard of course) then git the pole fairly straight...the start winchin her down an das she went the guys would move round the poole shootin water down round the sides...the pole went in like butter.......the water turned the ssand to quick sand........jist dont run outa water..as when u do and that sand sets up u might as well leave yer pipe in there as a ground rod!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif