Name: ESC Group
Price range: $

Question 1

What is the proper vinyl sheet pile driving method for different soil types?

Accepted Answer

“Pitch and drive” method is the most practical way of pile driving in loose soils especially when using short piles.  Also called “set and drive”, this method installs piles one by one. However, with only one interlock in control, sheet piles have high tendencies of rotating from the axis and leaning forward or backward. Panel driving is recommended for the dense deposit of sands and compact cohesive soils such as heavy clay or in presence of obstructions. In this method, a number of piles are interlocked together before driving. The panel of piles is supported by guide frames and driven gradually in sequence, sometimes in a staggered manner. The method can achieve installations of longer piles in more difficult ground conditions with better results in sheet pile alignment and verticality. In cases of difficult ground conditions such as hard strata and the presence of obstructions, driving assistance is employed along with a proper selection of driving method and equipment. Jetting and drilling help by loosening or eliminating obstructions by creating pressure right under the tip of the sheet pile being driven. Long and slender PVC sheet piles require steel mandrels as supports when driven in such conditions. Mandrel, which shape is similar to sheet pile profiles, increases the rigidity of Plastic Sheet Pile and supports the weight of the driving equipment such as a vibro-hammer.

Question 2

What is the proper machine to drive piles in different conditions?

Accepted Answer

Impact driving is suitable for all soil types but appears to create the highest degree of stress to sheet piles. It is more appropriate to cohesive soils and soft soils such as silts and peats, loose medium to coarse sand, and gravels free of rock inclusions. Drop hammers such as the hydraulic hammer are the common types of impact-driving machinery. Driving using vibratory hammers is ideal for non-cohesive or granular soils such as soft soils and round-grained sand or gravel. It has also shown satisfactory performance in sandy, silty, or softer clay soils. It is less effective in angular-grained materials and soils with a firm consistency. With the introduction of vibration, however, the sub-soil can be further compacted, increasing penetration resistance and ultimately-refusal. If this is the case, driving aids like jetting and drilling might be necessary.

Question 3

What are the pvc sheet pile selection criteria for soil condition of different hardness?

Accepted Answer

General rule of the thumb: “the harder the soil, the stronger and stiffer sheet pile section should be used”. Driveability of a pile section is a consequence of its cross-sectional properties (thickness, depth, and width), designed shape, length, grade, and the applied load. Hardness of soil strata characterized by SPT or CPT values is used to predict soil resistance which is essential in the calculation of driving force to be applied. Knowing the range of force from the selected driving machine, corresponding sheet pile sections can be picked according to their yield strength and elastic modulus.

Question 4

How should I choose a sheet pile section for soils with, say, SPT Value, N=30? Can I still consider using vinyl or shift to steel?

Accepted Answer

Every sheet pile material has a design purpose, strengths, and areas of improvement. The availability of different materials denotes the need for a special material for a specific application. Plastic or synthetic sheet piles for example are known for being light and corrosion-resistant; Steel sheet piles are recognized for their extraordinary strength and versatility; and so on.

Delivering High Grade Engineered Solutions to the
Global Market for almost 40 years

Construction Solutions and Latest Updates

Safety Tips in Trench Shoring

What is a Sacrificial Anode?

Performance of Steel Buildings against Natural Disaster

Vinyl Sheet Pile, Best Material for Seawalls & Waterfronts

Quality Control Measures for Sheet Pile Installation

ESC Times 2021 August Edition

Corrosion Factors in Steel Sheet Pile Design

Steel Structures Fabrication Capabilities

ESC Trench Shields Solutions

Types and Applications of Sheet Pile Connectors

Application of Structural Steel in Bridges

Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions about Steel Pipe Piles

Advantages of Pre-Engineered Steel Building

Frequently Asked Questions on Driving Vinyl Sheet Piles

Mooring Bollards Types and Applications

ESC Times 2021 - February Edition

Strengths of Hot-Rolled and Cold-Formed Steel Sheet Pile

What is an OSHA-compliant Trench Box System?

Safety Aspects of Structural Steel

Trench Shield Solutions: Strengths and Advantages

Corrosion Control on Underwater Piles

Major Advantages of Vinyl Sheet Piles over Steel Sheet Piles

When to Use Tie-rod and Strut as Support for Sheet Piles

ESC Times 2020 June Edition

Piling Foundation

Steel Structures

Trench Shoring Solutions

Marine Systems

Corrosion Protection