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
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read

Why Use ESC Trench Boxes?

Name: ESC Group (Middle East)
Address: Industrial Area City of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, 131355, AE
Telephone: +971 2550 6188
Price range: AED

The ESC Trench Shield uses a very durable and proven system where the panels are made up of a series of box sections rather than the standard frame and plate system seen more commonly in the USA.

This box system has been used extensively by ESC in overseas markets and of course there are also several high-profile and successful companies in Europe such as TWF, SBH and Krings that use a similar system for this range of products.

ESC has taken a leaf out of the European “experts” book and adapted its system for the US markets

where the Shields/Boxes are preferred to have fewer moving parts and made the panels even more durable and struts simple and solid.

Each of ESC’s designs have been certified and approved for use in the US by an independent 3rd Party engineer and therefore meet all requirements.

The special feature of the ESC Trench Shields being made with individual box channels mean that any puncture of the individual box will not compromise the design of the overall panel unlike the frame and plate system. It also will mean any water ingress is restricted to only one or possibly 2 box sections of the panel whereas the frame and panel system will be completely flooded if they are not using foam filler.

ESC feels that this independent box channel set up provides a much more robust and reusable trench shield which makes them perfect for multiple reuses.

The plate and frame models rely on stitch or plug welding to attach the plates to the frame, whereas the ESC system is fully welded.

ESC also uses a high-quality marine grade coating system that provide excellent protection to the shields.

A single box section can also be easily patched or similar or even completely removed and replaced without having to replace and work on the entire panel for repairs.

The box sections mean there are no significant panels that could be susceptible to buckling as the box sections are either a maximum of 4”, 6” or 8” square unlike the frame and panel system that have much wider panel exposure to possible damage and buckling which can easily lend to devaluing of the panels engineered ratings.

The strut connection collars are all reinforced with the current systems most contractors own and the bottom knife shoe/edges and top reinforcement plates are also very similar.

Most of the repairs, if any, we do on the panels are from excavator damage to the top rail, which we simply cut out and replace.

There is no secret formula to having to repair the system that is any different to what you already would have in place with your current stock of panels other than having to remove a collar or reinforcing plate and then cutting out the individual hollow sections and putting new ones back.

Call us today at Dubai +971 4575 9690 & +971 2550 6188 or email us inquiry@esctrenchsafety.com visit www.esctrenchsafety.com for more information.