What is a Piledriver?

Someone may ask "What is a piledriver?" This is a question that I've tried to explain too many times to remember. This is my job, this is what I do! It's not a wresting move or a sexual position either so, get your mind out of the gutter!
The title "piledriver" is given to any member of the construction crew that work with the pile driving rigs. The actual piledriver rig is a vessel that drives piles into the the soil to provide the stability and, foundation for structures such as over passes, buildings, bridges or what have you. Pile drivers have a heavy weight placed between guides so that it can slide up and down in a fluid solid line. (Again, get your minds out of the gutter!) This is placed a top the pile and when the weight is raised to its highest point it is released thus, smashing the pile, driving it into the ground.
There, its that simple,
Piledrivers drive it Deeper!

Follow Up Work on Girder Setting over I-90

After several weeks the girders are finally in place over I-90.

It took approximately 8 nights to set four spans equaling thirty two girders, with only sixteen left to set. As of now we are working on top of this bridge forming the deck soffit. (the form that holds the concrete.) These forms will allow the pouring of concrete to develop the roadway.

"A bums point of view" ~ ahhh home sweet home!

photos courteous of Matt Elder

OfF LoAdInG...

(Photos courtesy of Bill Miller)
Here's a rare siting of a superintendent working! Picking them off as the arrive.

Continuing to set girders throughout the nights.

NiGhT CrEw...

(Photos courtesy of Bill Miller)

Setting the Girders over Southbound 405 over I-90 at night, due to freeway shut downs. The crane in this picture is a 500 ton, the other crane you don't see is the 450 ton. These are used to pick and set girders that weigh approximately 180,000 lbs. a piece. When project is complete this will be the new overpass for Southbound 405 over I-90.

Setting Girders -

Here we have the last setting of the girders over I-90. Girder setting is half way complete.

(Photos courtesy of Bill Miller)