Special equipment is used for pile driving, with pile-driving pontoon being one of the most commonly used machines. These machines apply significant force to drive piles to the desired depth. A pile-driving pontoon is a specialized marine vessel designed for the installation of piles, a fundamental component in various marine and construction engineering projects. Piles are structural elements driven into the ground to provide foundational support for structures such as bridges, piers, offshore platforms, and coastal protection systems. These vessels play a crucial role in ensuring the stability, durability, and safety of such infrastructure in challenging marine environments.

Various types of piles can be used depending on ground conditions. Typically, piles made of concrete, steel, or composite materials are preferred. The type of pile is determined based on the soil structure and load-bearing capacity.

The most important part of a pile-driving pontoon is its heavy-duty crane, equipped with a special pile hammer or vibratory hammer. These hammers have the capability to deliver significant force, allowing efficient driving of piles to the seabed's required depth.

The pile is driven into the ground by the hammer’s force. While concrete or steel piles are generally installed using heavy machinery, hydraulic systems may also be employed in some cases. During the driving process, it is essential to ensure that the piles are placed properly and reach the desired depth.

Once the pile is fully driven into the ground, the top of the pile is typically secured with a concrete platform to evenly distribute the load that the structure will bear. At this stage, the spacing and alignment of the piles are critical.

After the driving process is complete, the load-bearing capacity of the piles is tested. The accuracy of their interaction with the ground is checked to ensure the long-term safety of the structures.

Pile driving operations typically begin with positioning the pontoon at the designated installation site. A crane lowers the pile into place, and a pile hammer or vibratory hammer is used to drive the pile into the seabed. The hammer’s impact or vibrations transfer energy along the pile, displacing the soil and ensuring the pile is securely embedded into the underlying layers.

Pile-driving pontoons are essential for the construction of bridge foundations, pier supports, and other marine structures requiring solid foundation support. They facilitate the installation of piles in deep waters or challenging seabed conditions where traditional construction methods may not be practical.

Pile-driving pontoons also play a critical role in coastal protection projects such as the construction of seawalls, breakwaters, and flood barriers. These structures help reduce erosion, protect shorelines, and enhance the resilience of coasts against storms and rising sea levels.

Pile-driving pontoons are equipped with advanced monitoring and control systems that provide real-time feedback on the pile-driving operation. These systems allow operators to monitor parameters such as pile depth, penetration rate, hammer energy, and pile alignment, enabling them to make adjustments to ensure precise pile installation.

Star of the Fleet: Demirbas 06

Demirbas 06, one of Turkiye's largest pile-driving pontoons, is the most capable barge in terms of pile-driving capacity and is equipped with the largest hammer that can be mounted, the DELMAG 180. Due to its tower structure, it is capable of driving piles up to 8 meters in front of the pontoon. With a tower height of 54 meters, it can drive piles with a maximum diameter of 1650 mm and a driving impact weight of 30,000 kg.