The first introductory book on Press-in technologies published

An introductory book on Press-in technology covering the Press-in principle and the SILENT PILER™ entitled “New Horizons in Piling: Development and Application of Press-in Piling” has been published. The book is now available at bookstores worldwide and e-commerce websites.

 The book was co-authored by Akio Kitamura, inventor of the SILENT PILER and founder of GIKEN LTD. (Head Office: Kochi, Japan), and three others. The book provides information from the fundamental to the practical use of press-in technology. It is expected to be used as a source of reference for readers who are unfamiliar with press-in piling. GIKEN Group congratulates the publication of this book. We hope the book will increase awareness of press-in technologies, particularly in English-speaking countries.

■ Aimed for readers unfamiliar to Press-in Technology

The book contains five chapters. Chapter 1 describes the significant benefits of embedded structures*¹ over gravity type structures. The chapter also explains the need for multi-axies type modern construction requirements. Chapter 2 compares and examines various press-in piling machines*² and identifies the advantages of the SILENT PILER. The chapter also introduces the history of invention and development of the SILENT PILER. Chapters 3 and 4 describe various applications of press-in technologies and underground products using SILENT PILER, such as the mechanical bicycle parking lot called ECO Cycle™. Chapter 5 describes geotechnical aspects of the press-in technology and summarizes the results of various press-in technologies studies.

In each chapter, actual construction photographs and CGs are often used, aiding our readers to have a clearer understanding.

※1 An embedded structure, such as a sheet pile wall and a double-wall cofferdam, is a structure in which foundation members are driven into the ground. The stability of embedded structure against external forces is secured mostly by the resistance of surrounding soils at its embedded portion.  On the other hand, the gravity type structure is a structure in which its foundation is placed near the ground surface. The vertical external force shall be kept within the bearing capacity of the ground at the foundation bottom surface. The horizontal external force is resisted by the frictional force exerted on the foundation bottom surface. The gravity type structure must also resist overturning under the large horizontal forces. Properly designed embedded structures are considered resilient and have advantage over gravity type structures to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.

※2 In general, a press-in piling machine refers to a machine which installs prefabricated piles into the ground by hydraulic jacks. Among various press-in piling machines, the SILENT PILER is a lightweight and compact piling machine because it grips the already installed piles and utilizes their pullout resistance as a source of reaction force for pile jacking without relying on heavy counterweights. The ability of the SILENT PILER to "self-walk" on pre-installed piles eliminates the need for a temporary works and allows for construction efficiencies.

■Future Perspective
The International Press-in Association (IPA) is currently proceeding with the multilingualization of the Press-in retaining structures: a handbook.　Different from the introductory book, this handbook was first published for practitioners and researchers as the first technical document in English based on Design and Construction Guidelines for Press-in Piling in Japanese. Last year IPA published the Chinese version. The plan to publish French, Portuguese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Russian versions is underway. Once completed, the handbook will be available in eight languages, including Japanese. GIKEN hopes that the publishment of these books will further enhance the understanding of the press-in technologies worldwide.

■Author Referral

Malcolm D. Bolton
After graduating from Cambridge University's Faculty of Engineering, he received a master's degree in structural engineering at Manchester University and a doctorate in soil mechanics at Cambridge University. In 1994, he commenced a collaboration research with GIKEN. He has also served as the first President for IPA for nine years from 2007.

Akio Kitamura
In 1967, he established Kochi Giken Consultant, the predecessor of the GIKEN Group today. In 1975, he invented the press-in piling machine, SILENT PILER. The invention of SILENT PILER was a realization of the Press-in Principle and elimination of construction pollution during piling works. In 2018, he was the first Japanese person to win the Ben C. Garwick Award. As of November 2020 he is the Executive Chairman of GIKEN LTD.

Osamu Kusakabe
After graduating from the Tokyo’s University of Agriculture and Technology, he obtained a Master of Engineering from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Master of Philosophy and a Doctor of Philosophy both from Cambridge University. In 1996, he became a professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. He was the second President of IPA from 2016 to 2019 and has been the Executive Director since 2020.

Masaaki Terashi
He started his career as a researcher at the Port and Harbor Research Institute of the Ministry of Transport and moved to Nikkei Sekkei Ltd. He also served as a visiting professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology for six years, from 1999. As a ground engineering consultant, he provides advice to a wide range of infrastructure projects in Japan and overseas. In 2010 he became a technical adviser of GIKEN LTD. He also has a wealth of experience in publishing technical books overseas.

■Profile of GIKEN Group
GIKEN developed the SILENT PILER, the world's first reaction-based hydraulic pile jacking machine, installing piles with no noise and vibration. GIKEN Group now actively promotes the Press-in Technology worldwide and contributes to the construction industry by proposing and implementing innovative solutions. The innovative technology of press-in provides a unique solution and the adoption of this technology has grown to more than 40 nations and regions.