Pile with low noise generation during driving

A method for driving piles into ground comprising:

• providing a pile having a driving shoe, and an elongate first tube having a distal end that engages the driving shoe and a proximal end configured to be driven with a pile driver, wherein the elongate first tube further comprises a plurality of geometric features configured to attenuate the radial amplitude of traveling compression waves by providing a space for circumferential expansion in the elongate first tube, wherein the geometric features comprise a plurality of grooves extending only partially through the elongate first tube, and are disposed on an inner surface of the elongate first tube or on an outer surface of the elongate first tube;
• providing an elongate second tube that is attached to the driving shoe and is disposed radially outwardly from the elongate first tube;
• positioning the pile at a desired position with the driving shoe contacting the ground;
• driving the pile with a pile driver;
• and
• removing the elongate first tube after driving the pile.

A pile configured for noise abatement during installation comprising:

• a driving shoe;
• an elongate first tube having a distal end that engages the driving shoe and a proximal end configured to be driven with a pile driver, wherein the elongate first tube further comprises a plurality of geometric features configured to attenuate the radial amplitude of traveling compression waves by providing a space for circumferential expansion in the elongate first tube;
• wherein the geometric features comprise a plurality of slots extending at least partially through the elongate first tube;
• wherein the plurality of slots are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the elongate first tube;
• wherein the elongate first tube is a circular tube having a first diameter;
• wherein the driving shoe is tapered with a wide end that engages the distal end of the elongate first tube, and further wherein the wide end of the driving shoe extends radially beyond the elongate first tube to define a ledge portion;
• and
• further comprising a plenum having a plurality of apertures and configured to be connected with a pressurized gas source to produce bubbles, wherein the plenum is attached to the ledge portion of the driving shoe and configured to generate a bubble curtain around a portion of the first tube.

A method for driving piles into ground comprising:

• providing a pile having a driving shoe, and an elongate first tube having a distal end that engages the driving shoe and a proximal end configured to be driven with a pile driver, wherein the elongate first tube further comprises a plurality of geometric features configured to attenuate the radial amplitude of traveling compression waves by providing a space for circumferential expansion in the elongate first tube;
• positioning the pile at a desired position with the driving shoe contacting the ground;
• and
• driving the pile with a pile driver;
• wherein the elongate first tube is a circular tube having a first diameter, and the driving shoe has an outer diameter greater than the first diameter;
• and further
• wherein the driving shoe defines a ledge extending radially beyond the elongate first tube, and further comprising attaching a plenum having a plurality of apertures to the ledge, and connecting the plenum to a source of pressurized air, and
• generating a bubble curtain around a portion of the first tube.