SHEET PILES

Sheet Piling is used in cases when Enclosing a site or part thereof to prevent the escape of
loose sub-soil to safeguard against settlement of structure
which is to be erected on it.
Retaining the side of trenches and generally excavations.
Forming cofferdams (watertight enclosures necessary in
construction of foundations in water).

Their most common use is within temporary deep

excavations. They are considered to be most economical
where retention of higher earth pressures of soft soils is
required.

They have an important advantage in that they can be

driven to depths below the excavation bottom and so
provide a control to heaving in soft clays or piping in
saturated sands.
However sheet piles are more costly and less adaptable to hard
driving conditions particularly where boulders or irregular rock
surfaces occur.
There are 3 main types of sheet pile walls.

Cantilever
Anchor
Propped

Sheet pile are either of Steel

Reinforced concrete
Timber

STEEL SHEET PILES

Trough shaped when driven,the piles are interlockedwith
alternate one reversed.
Lenghts- 5.5m for smaller sections
18m for larger
sections
The maximum lengths of piles depend upon,
The depth of penetration
Nature of soil
Made of three grades of steel, e.g. mild steel, copper steel
and high tensile rust-resisting steel.
When used for permanent work the piles should be coated
with acid free tar or similar preservatives.

Steel sheet piles

Sheet piling driving

DRIVING SHEET PILES

The frame equipment is similar to that of other types of
piles, but of lighter construction.
The hammers employed are to be of single-acting type for
clay soil.

 Double-acting for sand and gravel soil.

Alternatively, in the absence of a frame, hammer
suspended from the jib of a crane can be used.
A driving cap or anvil block is used as a protection against
damage.
In order to maintain a straight line of vertical piles, it is
necessary to provide one or two pairs of horizontal
timbers, called waling, which are bolted to temporary wood
square sectioned piles.
The wood piles are driven in at 3m to 4.5m apart.
If a frame is employed, only one pair of waling is necessary
at groung level otherwise, a second pair of waling is
required.
There is a tendency of the piles to wander or lean forward
in the direction of driving, which can be avoided or
minimized if the work is carried out in the following
manner.
a. A series or panel of, say, pair of piles (no. 1) is carefully
driven to part penetration.
b. The pair at the opposite end (no. 2) is then partially
driven, followed in turn by pairs 3,4,5,6.

 BOX PILES
The interlocking steel sheet piles are formed into box piles
for permanent works and where large carrying capacity is
required.
Box Piles consist of two ordinary sheet piles of any of the
layer sections which are welded together at intervals along
the interlocks.
Steel sheet piles are often used for temporary work and after
the piles have served their purpose they are withdrawn.
The method of withdrawal is to apply a metal grips or tongs
at the top end of the piles which is then lifted by a rope from
winch on crane.
A double-acting pile hammer is inverted and fitted with
extractor grips.

The main application of steel sheet piles is in retaining

walls and cofferdams erected to enable permanent
works to proceed.

REINFORCED CONCRETE SHEET PILE

Used for permanent work
In section, it is rectangular or tongued or grooved or Vjointed.
The feet are shaped obliquely or beveled and feather
edged.
If driving through resistant strata, the feet are protected
by metal shoes and the heads are shaped to receive the
driving helmet.
If the soil is water logged and the piling system is to be
water tight, cement grout is poured down the joints to
affect a seal.

 TIMBER SHEET PILES

Used for temporary work.
225-280mm wide and at least 50mm thick.
Butt or V-jointed and feet are beveled and shoed with
shoe iron.
Temporary wood piles and waling are as described for
sheet piles are provided to ensure accurate driving.