The Types and Use of Sheet Piles

The sheet piling is actually retaining wall type that is either drove or pushed and installed in the ground than pouring or a thin cross section and low in weight, therefore, the wall weight does not impact the stability of the wall.

The sheet piling is made up of number of materials. Depending on several factors such as environmental factors and strength, the materials for the sheet piles are chosen. While designing the pile, the possibility of material deterioration and the impact on the integrity of the structure must be considered. Most of the permanent structures are constructed using concrete or steel. The concrete has longer life when it is under normal circumstances, but it has more initial costs than steel sheet piling. Concrete is tougher to install than steel sheet piling. It has been observed that this piling offers a great service life if designed properly.

Timber sheet piles

The timber sheet piles are generally used for temporary purposes i.e. for short spans. It resists light lateral loads. These sheet piles are connected by tongue and groove joints. The con of this pile is that it needs preservative treatment to stay secure and soil with stones or rock chips are not appropriate for this sheet pile type.

Reinforced concrete sheet piles

The reinforced concrete sheet piles are constructed using precast concrete elements which are usually adjoined by groove joints and tongue. These sheets are used commonly in canals, river embarkments and other marine structures.

Steel sheet piles

Steel sheet pile is the most common and used form as this is highly resistance to driving stress, water tightness and the length can be increased bybolting or welding.

The Forms of Steel Sheet Piles

Normal Sections

• It includes sheet piles of U and Z section and these are the systems of interlocking sheet piles. These have qualities of good driving and can yield required strength for low weight.
• The interlocking systems help in pile positioning and driving along with a close fitting joint for forming an impactful water seal.
• The single U section sheet piles are always sturdier individual element and these are easy to drive due to the unique shape than Z section. The Z section sheet piles generally come interlocked and in pairs. This system makes the Z sections easy and quick to handle.

Straight Web Sections

• These piles are interlocked and driven for constructing cellular cofferdams. These are filled with materials that are non-cohesive like small rocks and stones.

Box Sections

• Two or more sheet pile sections form it when they are welded together and these are suitable for heavy loads and bending.

Composite Sections/Combi Walls

• These are used in waterfront protection in anticipation of for heavy bending and loads withstanding.

You can ask us at Bigfoot for steel sheet piling. For industry standard products, come to us.