Pile-Driving Analysis by the Wave Equation

Abstract

There are a great many different pile-driving formulas in use, and engineers have never been able to agree as to which one is best. This situation has arisen primarily because, until recently, the mathematics of pile-driving action could not be solved in any practical manner. As a result all pile-driving formulas are partly empirical and, consequently, apply only to certain types or lengths of pile. This paper is presented with the purpose of giving engineers a mathematical method of wider application, depending on the use of electronic computers and numerical integration. The method is also applicable to other impact problems.