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

“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.

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

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

ESC Group
- Nov 12, 2022
- 5 min read

Why Trust ESC in your Steel Fabrication Projects?

Updated: Nov 14, 2022

Steel or metal fabrication is a broad specialization. Technically, it is not a trade which regular welding companies or contractors can fulfill. It involves not just one or two but multiple operations that requires precision and expertise. It applies processes with high complexity to create value-added products essential to mining, energy, automotive, construction, medical, transportation, food, and all other business industries that exists.

Shortlisting and finally choosing the best candidate for a steel fabrication job is crucial as far as successful project completion is concerned. This is because successful completion does not only mean finishing a project on time, it follows accomplishing a project safely within schedule, within budget, and compliant to specified quality and standards.

Luckily, ESC got you covered and here’s why you should not just consider but rely on us.

FABRICATION CAPABILITIES

With a global capability of producing over 300,000 metric tons per year of steel products and structures at various locations and sites around the world, ESC provides one-stop solutions for projects of all scales and requirements. We employ not just state-of-the-art equipment and machineries but the most skilled and qualified labor assets that gets them into work. Below is a showcase of some of the capabilities of ESC's prequalified mills:

In terms of structure types:

One of the criteria that qualifies a metal fabricator is its capability to design and formulate engineering solutions for different project specifics. A metal fabricator should be able to work with drawings, translate drawings and specifications to shop drawings, and design a project from scratch if necessary including undertaking field investigation works.

ESC Engineers are from a wide range of backgrounds, including aerospace, mechanical, civil, offshore oil & gas, nuclear, renewables and more. ESC’s engineering skill sets includes:

1. Engineering Calculations

2. 2D and 3D CAD drawings

ESC Group (Middle East) - Fabricator, Supplier & Contractor in the Middle East & Africa

ESC Global:

Why Trust ESC in your Steel Fabrication Projects?

FABRICATION CAPABILITIES