Functionality, appearance, and practical value are the criteria people use when selecting building materials today. Steel sheet piles meet all three of these criteria: their manufacturing components provide a simple yet practical structure that meets all requirements for structural safety and environmental protection, and buildings constructed with them are highly attractive.
The application of steel sheet piles extends throughout the construction industry, from traditional hydraulic engineering and civil engineering applications, through railway and tramway applications, to environmental pollution control.
The practical value of steel sheet piles is reflected in the innovative manufacture of many new products, such as specialized welded structures; metal plates produced using hydraulic vibratory pile drivers; sealed sluice gates; and factory-coated finishes. Many factors ensure that steel sheet piles remain a highly practical manufacturing component: they contribute not only to the superior quality of the steel, but also to the research and development of the steel sheet pile market and the optimization of product features to better meet user needs.
The development of specialized sealing and overprinting processes is a prime example of this. For example, the patented HOESCH system has opened up important new areas for the use of steel sheet piles in pollution control. Since HOESCH sheet piles were first used as vertical retaining walls to protect contaminated land in 1986, they have been found to meet all requirements for preventing water leakage and contamination. The advantages of sheet piles as retaining walls have gradually led to their widespread application in other areas.
The following are some of the more common geotechnical projects and applications where sheet piles are particularly effective:
- Cofferdams
- River diversion and control
- Water treatment system fencing
- Flood control
- Fences
- Dikes
- Coastal embankments
- Tunnel cuts and shelters
- Breakwaters
- Weir walls
- Slope stabilization
- Retaining walls
Advantages of using sheet pile fencing:
- No excavation required, minimizing waste disposal issues
- Sheet piles can be removed after use if necessary
- Unaffected by topography or groundwater depth
- Suitable for use in irregular excavations
- Can be constructed on ships, eliminating the need for a separate site
