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FASTER, QUIETER AND SMARTER HACKING CONTENTS

 CEO'S MESSAGE
 MECHC FOR SMES
 FASTER, QUIETER AND
SMARTER HACKING
 A CELEBRATION OF
PRODUCTIVITY
ACHIEVEMENTS
 BUILDING CHAMPIONS
 OPENING OF TIONG SENG
PREFAB HUB
 RECOGNISING
SINGAPORE'S
PRODUCTIVITY
CHAMPIONS

HSL Ground Engineering explores a new pile head removal  SAFER WORKING
method using polystyrene foams, wedges and hydraulic jacks ENVIRONMENTS YIELD
CONFIDENCE

Noisy, messy and labourious. These describe the conventional method of  RAISING MANAGERS FOR
hacking pile heads. In this process, mechanical equipment such as the hydraulic PRODUCTIVITY
breaker, excavator and air compressor are used to break the bond between the
concrete and the steel reinforcement bars. The concrete is then chopped into
small debris for removal. The whole process is time-consuming and labour-
intensive.

HSL Ground Engineering, which often seeks innovative ways of construction,


was determined to explore new pile head removal methods with support from
the Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) Productivity Improvement
Project Scheme (PIP). PIP encourages contractors and prefabricators to embark
on development projects that build up their capabilities and improve their
processes for better productivity on site.

The collaboration paid off. A successful new hacking method was devised. The
method involves the use of circular polystyrene foams. Before casting, HSL
Ground Engineering installed the foams around the steel reinforcement bars to
debond the bars from the concrete mass. Special moulds had been
manufactured to produce the debonding material – an important step to ensure
that the debonding material could be accurately placed around the reinforcement
bars.

A crack was then induced at the cut-off level of the pile head. This allowed the
mass of concrete above the cut-off level to be separated, which led to its easy
removal in one piece to be lifted away.

The unique hacking method yielded several advantages. It sped up the hacking
process, which enhanced the company’s project productivity. There was also a
significant reduction of noise on site and no debris was produced during
hacking.

INDUCING THE CRACK


The crack at the cut-off level of the pile head was
induced through two methods:
1. Wedge Method
Wedges were driven into the pile head at the cut-off
level by manual means to produce a crack.

2. Hydraulic Jack Method


To further improve productivity, hydraulic jacks were
also used to induce the crack at the pile head.

During the implementation of the new hacking system,


HSL Ground Engineering introduced another method to
crack the pile head at the cut-off level. It embedded a
chemical cutter around the reinforcement bar. This
chemical would react with the concrete and
subsequently induce a crack automatically at the cut-off
level. The pile head was then easily lifted using a crane
or an excavator.

About HSL Ground Engineering

HSL Ground Engineering is a subsidiary of HSL. More


than two decades old, HSL focuses on marine civil
engineering. HSL Ground Engineering provides
innovative solutions to challenging ground problems
and covers a range of services including bored piling,
micro-piling, diaphragm walls, soil stabilisation and
secant walls, among other works.

Building and Construction Authority Questions? Comments?


5 Maxwell Road, #16-00 Tower Block MND Complex Singapore 069110 Email us
Tel: 6325 7720 Fax: 6325 4800 Website: http://www.bca.gov.sg at bca_enquiry@bca.gov.sg

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