What is steel sheet pile?

Steel Sheet Pile are sheets of steel with interlocking edges that are driven into the ground to provide support for excavation and retention for dirt. The most common forms are made entirely steel while there are some made of timber and others that are reinforced with concrete. Prior to installation all sheets should be inspected for damages cracks and other abnormalities. These include Larssen and Frodingham sheet piles, which are systems of interlocking steel piles. They have good driving qualities and are designed to provide the good strength for low weight. The interlocking system facilitates easy positioning of the piles (pitching) and driving, as well as providing a close-fitting joint to form an effective water seal. In some cases, a sealant can be brushed into the joints prior to pitching which expands in thickness to form a watertight joint. Larssen sheet piles are stronger and easier to drive because of their uniform section shape. Frodingham sheet piles are usually supplied interlocked in pairs, which makes them easier and quicker to handle and pitch.

Technical details

Steel sheet piles are designed to interlock with each other. They are installed in sequence along the planned excavation perimeter. When arranged together, they form a wall for permanent or temporary earth support, along with anchors to provide extra lateral support. Permanent sheet piles are designed to provide a long service life; installed with the help of vibratory hammers. If the soil is too dense or hard, impact hammers are used. Depending on the condition of the site, the sheet piles can be hydraulically pushed into the ground. They can be made of recycled steel and can be reused for other purposes; making them a sustainable option. Usually, the material used to make piling sheets is steel, but wood and vinyl sheets are also used at times. The concept is to design narrow, interlocking sheets that can be connected and driven into the ground to form a wall. Stability and strength are defined by the shape and material of the sheets. Steel is considered to be the most appropriate material if the requirement is to withstand large bending forces and pressure.