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BSP Produces Its Largest Piling Hammer for Venezuelan Brige Project
Piling hammers do not come much bigger than the CGL590 hammer developed and produced by BSP International Foundations (BSP), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of hydraulic hammers and related equipment. This monster of a hammer, built at the company’s facility at Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, England, weighs-in at a massive 82 t with its 40 t dropweight and pile sleeve and is capable of driving concrete and steel piles up to 2 m in diameter. However, fitted with special attachments larger diameter piles can be driven. When freely suspended it stands 12 m high and has maximum impact energy of 584 kNm. The hammer takes advantage of BSP’s unique hydraulic cylinder design, first seen at the turn of the century on the company’s CX range of hammers. The “through rod recirculation” design promotes a running pressure of 290 bar and reduces the hydraulic oil supply to 1,200 l/min. Controlling the dropweight is a key feature of all BSP hammers and the CGL590 is no exception. A maximum blow rate of 32 blows per minute can be achieved at 1.5 m maximum stroke but when reduced to a 200 mm stroke in excess of 75 blows per minute can be recorded. There are not many projects around the world requiring a piling hammer of his magnitude but the CGL590 was specifically built for Brazilian contractor Odebrecht, one of the world’s largest civil engineering companies, to be used to drive the 60 m long, 1.8 m diameter piles required for the foundations of a new bridge over the Maracaibo Lake in Venezuela. Prior to piling a multipurpose drilling rig working from a jack-up platform was employed to carry out offshore and nearshore site investigations to determine the laying of the foundations for the bridge. Boreholes were drilled to a maximum depth of 70 m through soft to stiff clays overlaying mudstones.
Odebrecht’s subsidiary in Venezuela began preliminary construction work for this second bridge known as the Nigale Bridge in October 2012. It has been named after Chief Nigale, an indigenous warrior of the Los Zapara tribe, which originated from Zapara Island located on the lake. When completed the new bridge will consist of 4 vehicle lanes and 2 rail lines and will at 12.4 km be the longest road and railway bridge in Latin America. Construction of the bridge will include a road system consisting of a 15.5 km west highway, a 26.5 km east highway, and an 11.4 km rail road connection between both East and West sides of the lake. It will provide a link between Santa Cruz de Mara in the West and Punta de Palmas in the East. Currently, the Rafael Urdaneta Bridge, constructed some 50 years ago, is the one option to cross the lake. When completed in 2018, this second bridge will contribute toward the region’s economic, social and cultural development, facilitating the future commerce between the Central region of Venezuela and other South American countries, improving the movement of commercial exchange and people’s mobility. The CGL590 is the largest model in the BSP piling hammer range offering dropweights from 40 t down to a mere 1 t. Running pressures extend from 160 bar to 290 bar. All BSP hammers can be used crane suspended or configured with back guides for leader use. BSP has been at the forefront in the innovation and manufacture of piling hammers and related equipment for over a century. During its 110-year history the company has pioneered the development of steam, air and diesel powered hammers culminating in the introduction of its first hydraulic powered hammer in the early 1980s. More recently, the company has developed rapid impact compactors for ground improvement projects. |
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During on-site operation the hammer has had to cope with extreme temperatures, high humidity and a stiff salty breeze. Originally, Odebrecht rented the CGL590 but, subsequently delighted with its performance, the company decided to purchase the hammer together with a BSP power pack. Two other large CG hammers with power packs purchased by Odebrecht are also working on the project. 
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