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SHEET PILE WALLS - RETAINING SYSTEMS FOR
DEEP EXCAVATIONS
Sheet Pile Walls
Sheet pile walls are constructed by driving prefabricated sections into the
ground. Soil conditions may allow for the sections to be vibrated into ground
instead of it being hammer driven. The full wall is formed by connecting the
joints of adjacent sheet pile sections in sequential installation. Sheet pile
walls provide structural resistance by utilizing the full section. Steel sheet
piles are most commonly used in deep excavations, although reinforced concrete
sheet piles have also being used successfully.
Steel sheet piling is the most common because of several advantages
over other materials:
1. Provides high resistance to driving stresses.
2. Light weight
3. Can be reused on several projects.
4. Long service life above or below water with modest protection.
5. Easy to adapt the pile length by either welding or bolting
6. Joints are less apt to deform during driving.
Sheet pile walls are constructed by:
1. Laying out a sequence of sheet pile sections, and ensuring
that sheet piles will interlock.
2. Driving (or vibrating) the individual sheet piles to the desired
depth.
3. Driving the second sheet pile with the interlocks between the
first sheet pile and second "locked"
4. Repeating steps 2 & 3 until the wall perimeter is completed
5. Use connector elements when more complex shapes are used.
Sheet pile wall disadvantages are:
1. Sections can rarely be used as part of the permanent structure.
2. Installation of sheet piles is difficult in soils with boulders
or cobbles. In such cases, the desired wall depths may not be
reached.
3. Excavation shapes are dictated by the sheet pile section and
interlocking elements.
4. Sheet pile driving may cause neighborhood distrurbace
5. Settlements in adjacent properties may take place due to installation
vibrations
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