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.

Why Trust ESC in your Steel Fabrication Projects?

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

3. Design Software such as Finite Element Analysis

4. 3D visualization and animation

5. Material Engineering including Quality Tests

When combined, ESC fabrication facilities and logistics assets sums up to the following statistical figures:

300,000 mT Annual fabrication capacity in total more than 15 factories
5,381,955 ft2 (500,000 m2) covered fabrication working shop areas
1,076,391 ft2 (100,000 m2) covered blasting and painting working shop
21,527,821 ft2 (2,000,000 m2) open yard area in total more than 15 factories
800T gantry crane
2500 mT lifting capacity of floating crane
1800 mT per work piece can be handled and load vessel directly
328.084 ft (>100 m) long work piece can be handled and load vessel directly
26,247 ft (8000 m) waterfront shoreline with more than 20 berths for international vessels

EXPERIENCE

With ESC’s well-established facilities in United Arab Emirates and China, and its vast global sales and logistics network, the Company has been providing structural steel fabrications around the world for more than 30 years. Our track record in different continents and regions demonstrates a hard-earned success and recognition as characterized by a wide variety of project types and magnitudes – from small components to large structures. Some of our accomplishments are as follows:

Key Structural Steel Fabrication Projects:

4 Steel Bridges (Papua New Guinea)
Coated Steel Girders for 12 Bridges (New West Britain)
SP Brewery Prefab Steel Building (Papua New Guinea)
Hinkley Point C – Temporary Jetty Steel Piles (United Kingdom)
Tug Harbor Pontoons (Australia)
Modular Transport Beams (United Kingdom)
Al Ittihad Road Footbridge (United Arab Emirates)
RAAF aircraft Hangar (Australia)
TWR Control Tower (Australia)
2 sets Access Chamber for Rondout Tunnel (New Yok, USA)
Mare Harbor Upgrades (Falklands)
Greensport Terminal (USA)
Islington Warehouse (Australia)
International Container Terminal (Philippines)
Bridge Spuds & Ornamental Steel Structures (Philippines)

Others:

Fender installation platform fabrication

Hundreds of Marine Projects in Asia, Africa, North & South America, Europe, Australia, and even in the Antarctic Region. It includes Harbors, Jetties, Shipyards, Docks/Berths, Quay Walls, Seawater Intakes, Oil & Gas Platforms, Underwater Pipelines, Offshore Structures, Water Channels, Flood Control Projects, and many more.
Hundreds of other types of structural steel fabrication projects involving Foundation Solutions, Cofferdams, Earth-retaining Systems, Reclamation Projects, Tunneling Systems, Sewerage & Drainage Systems, Tanks, Excavation Support Systems, Strutting Systems, Bridges, and many more.
Hundreds of global projects utilizing fabricated materials such as sheet piles, pipe piles, combi-walls, trench sheets, trench shields or trench boxes, marine bollards, marine fenders, tie rod & connectors, struts, and so many more.
ESC’s complete list of projects can be viewed at www.escglobalgroup.com/project

STANDARDIZATION/CONSISTENCY/QUALITY

ESC and its prequalified factories offer a diversified set of international certifications enabling it to undertake complex projects around the world in adherence to country and/or region specific standards. The certifications cover special fabrication, welding, testing, quality management systems and corrosion protection systems.

Company Certifications:

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
Europian Union (CE)
EN 1090
ISO 9001, 14001, OHSAS 18001
American Welding Society (AWS)
China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS)
American Petroleum Institute (API)
ASTM International
ISO 3834
Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB)
Australian Certification for Reinforcing Steel (ACRS)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
International Zinc Association (ZINC)

Personnel Certifications:

American Welding Society (AWS)
American Society for Quality (ASQ)
American Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT)
Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society (CMES)
International Institute of Welding (IIW)
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
LEAN Six Sigma
Project Management Professional
Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC)
NACE International
Society of Manufacturing Engineers

Company Memberships:

ASTM International
North American Excavation and Shoring Association (NAXSA)
National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA)
World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC)
Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC)
Deep Foundations Institute (DFI)
Pile Driving Contractors Association (PDCA)

ESC products are produced and designed in accordance with the latest international standards (ASTM, AS/NZ, BS EN, DIN and more) as well as ISO 9000 Quality Management Systems.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

ESC's global network is well positioned to serve its customers with a group of strategically located offices in more than 20 countries in the following regions:

Asia & Middle East
Australia & Oceania
Africa
Canada & USA
South America
North America
Europe

We offer clients a dedicated project engineer for every work order, who is the focal point for communication and technical queries. This make project management more seamless and hassle-free to the client. We understand the need to interact closely with contractors, design consultants, owners and other project stakeholders.

ESC’s proximity and complete list of offices can be found at www.escglobalgroup.com/contacts.

PRICING

Prices differs from fabricator to fabricator, obtaining quotations from many providers and comparing the provisions in details is always an advantage in understanding the real extent of the project. The best metal fabricator for a specific job won’t necessarily have the lowest price or the biggest name in the business, there are parameters to look at instead when comes to identifying a company that can provide competitive proposals or prices:

Proposal adapts to available budget and comes up with a sound, practical solution without sacrificing any of the project essentials.
The fabricator has wide influence and material purchasing power
Knows standard and realistic prices within the industry
Can devise and explain the most cost-effective approach for all kinds of projects
Has complete control of shipping and logistic operations including costs

ESC’s reputation is built on excellence and commitment in providing high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective solutions. We are capable of providing competitive prices by adhering to engineering innovations and advance technologies that enhances safety and product quality, reduces unnecessary operational costs, and creates added value to our products and services.

TO WRAP IT UP

The purpose of planning and scheduling is to eliminate or reduce possible risks that may occur in the implementation stage. In any case, selecting a company which has the experience with your type of project is a smart decision

This is simply because a well-experienced company is always a step ahead among others in identifying, avoiding, or dealing with implementation surprises and turnarounds which can be really painful and costly.

At ESC, we don’t say we are the best. But we say WE’VE BEEN HERE FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS AND WE KNOW HOW IT IS DONE.