Six popular sheet piles applications

Sheet piles are hot in China both the hot-rolled AZ variety as well as the cold-pressed U variety. Here are six major applications for sheet piles that you could implement in your construction plans today!

1) Temporary shallow excavation works for infrastructure and roadwork projects. Most often No. 3 and 4 piles with interlocks to keep your excavation dry and the environment unaffected. Sheet piles vary in length from 6-15 meters and are often driven by excavator mounted hammers. Chances are that whenever you see an excavation work in your neighborhood you will see these piles used!

2) Watertight cofferdams in river. Most often the wider No. 6 piles are chosen for this application. The interlocked sheet piles have a length of 15-24 meters and are driven by a 416L hydraulic vibratory hammer. In more complicated soils with perhaps some gravel a medium sized hammer such as the 815C is chosen. The cofferdams provide a dry dock for the building of a concrete foundation. After the bridge pylons are finished the sheet piles are extracted and reused.

3) Deep foundations where bentonite and diaphragm walls are to be avoided. Sometimes in combination with casings for extra lateral bearing capacity. These applications call for AZ sheet piles of 24-36 meters in length. These wide sheet piles are economical and provide great lateral bearing strength for excavation up to 20 meters. A medium sized 815C or larger 1412C are typically chosen for these environmentally friendly construction projects.

4) AZ piles are also commonly used in permanent harbor walls. High grade steel that is corrosion resistant is chosen for these harsh working conditions. Special coatings can be added to the sheet piles that see the most corrosive action from seawater and wind. Because of the length and weight of the piles a large vibro like the 82NF or 1412C is recommended often complemented with a NL series impact hammer to drive the pile to final depth.

5) Excavations for municipal tunnel building in inner cities are protected by sheet pile walls. Choosing a resonance free vibratory hammer will allow you to work close to existing buildings without upsetting the neighborhood with sound and damaging buildings with low frequency vibrations. This calls for either the 8RFB installed on a 30t excavator or the 20RF and mobile truck combination.

6) AZ sheet piles are also used for permanent load bearing structures such as rail and highway overpasses and parking garages. The double function of soil retention and load bearing is a winner! A medium sized 815C or larger 1412C are typically chosen for these construction projects.

BONUS (7): concrete sheet piles! These are a cost effective and eye pleasing product for river and waterway shoring. Standard strength piles can be driven with hydraulic vibratory hammers thinner piles that are more prone to damage from resonance should be driven by resonance free vibratory hammers.

This article comes from icevibro edit released