Sheet piles are sections of sheet materials with interlocking edges that are driven into the ground to provide earth retention and excavation support. Sheet piles are most commonly made of steel, but can also be formed of timber or reinforced concrete.
Sheet piles are commonly used for retaining walls, land reclamation, underground structures such as car parks and basements, in marine locations for riverbank protection, seawalls, cofferdams, and so on.
The selection of sheet piling is dependent on factors, such as:
- The type of work, for example, whether it is permanent or temporary.
- Site conditions.
- The required depth of piles.
- The bending moments involved.
- The nature of the structure.
- The type of protection required.
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