Sheet piles are interlocking steel sheets used to create sheet pile walls for earth retention, excavation support, cofferdams, seawalls, bulkheads, and groundwater control. They can be installed using vibratory hammers, impact hammers, or vibration-free hydraulic pressing, depending on soil conditions and site constraints.
Process
Sheet piles are installed sequentially to design depth along the planned excavation perimeter or seawall alignment. The interlocked sheet piles form a wall for permanent or temporary lateral earth support with reduced groundwater inflow. Anchors can be included to provide additional lateral support if required.
Sheet pile walls have been used to support excavations for below-grade parking structures, basements, pump houses, and foundations, to construct cofferdams, and to construct seawalls and bulkheads. Permanent steel sheet piles are designed to provide a long service life and immediate load-bearing capacity. Vibratory hammers are typically used to install sheet piles. An impact hammer can complete the installation if the soils are too hard or dense. The sheets can be hydraulically pushed into the ground at sites where vibration is a concern.
Cold-rolled sheet piling is less expensive but provides less resistance to water inflow. Hot-rolled sheet piling is more traditional and provides better water resistance as the interlock is tighter.
Common uses
- Earth retention / Support of excavation
- Construct cofferdams
- Construct seawalls and bulkheads
- Create barriers to groundwater flow
Advantages
- A sustainable option, made of recycled steel, and the piles can often be reused
- Available in numerous combinations of size and weight
- Immediate barrier to prevent soil loss and sloughing during excavation
- Permanent sheet piles are designed to provide long service life
- Versatile and quick installation time
Quality assurance
Keller has a fleet of modern, safe rigs available to perform sheet pile installations in all environments. The in-house design team allows us to customize a cost-effective solution for each project, and our decades of experience help us avoid pitfalls in design and installation.
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