How to Install Sheet Piles
Sheet pile installation is typically achieved by using one of three key sheet piling methods:
- panel driving
- panel driving with staggering of sheet piles
- pitch and drive
The choice of sheet piling installation method rests on the prevailing conditions at the site at which construction is taking place and should be based on a thorough soil investigation. Conventional piling methods typically use equipment such as vibratory hammers, impact hammer, presses or a combination of equipment, to install sheet piles and suit the individual site.
Panel Driving
With this sheet piling installation method, sheet pile panels are threaded together before piling takes place, using a stiff guide frame or ‘template’, into which sheet piles are placed. This helps achieve verticality of the sheet pile wall, particularly in very soft soils where leaning can be an issue. It can also help with the installation of longer piles in locations with difficult soil conditions. It is a more time-consuming sheet piling method than others, because of the threading and handling, but is often used for underground car parks and basements.
Panel Driving with Staggering of Sheet Piles
This construction method is similar to panel driving but sees alternate piles being reinforced with a tip and piling being staggered, so that these reinforced sheet piles are driven deeper than non-reinforced piles. This sheet pile driving method is useful when soils conditions are compact.
Pitch and Drive
This is a popular piling construction method because it is relatively quick and lower cost. Individual piles are threaded and installed to their final depth, usually in locations where leaning is not going to be a concern, where soils are not too compact and, in many cases, when the sheet pile installation is temporary. Sheet piles installed by the pitch and drive method are typically short in length. Hydraulic presses can only be used for this one sheet pile construction method. Using a Giken silent pressing rig for the pitch and drive method can overcome noise issues particularly associated with this style of sheet pile installation.
If you need a sheet pile specialist to work with you to install sheet piles, please call us on 01772 794141.
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Sheet Piling (UK) Limited is one of the UK's leading piling contractors. Owning and operating a comprehensive range of specialist piling equipment Sheet Piling (UK) Ltd also carry extensive stocks of new and used piles enabling rapid reaction to any urgent requirements or emergency situations.