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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Structural Steel Fabrication

ESC Steel Engineering Sdn Bhd
Apr 23, 2022
3 min read

One of the most widely used metal alloys in the world, steel is important for many uses. Indeed, steel is among the most vital materials for engineering and construction. Structural steel may be used, for example, to construct buildings, bridges and offshore structures, as well as being used in the rail and mining industries. Here are answers to common questions about structural steel.

What is Structural Steel?

Regular steel is an alloy primarily made of iron and carbon, with small amounts of other elements such as silicon, sulphur, manganese, and phosphorus.

Structural steel is a category of steel with related strength properties and chemical composition and produced in a particular shape for use in construction and engineering projects.

Strict regulations govern the production and use of structural steel to ensure it meets the required standards.

While the carbon content of regular steel results in great strength, it can also make the material brittle. Structural steel has a lower carbon content to make it more ductile. It may also be referred to as low-carbon steel.

For regular steel, the carbon content can be up to 2.1% of the overall weight. For structural steel, the carbon content is typically between 0.04 and 0.3 percent.

In structural steel fabrication, the material is made into various shapes. Types of structural steel used throughout the construction industry include:

Universal beams
Universal columns
Plates
Square, circular and rectangular hollow sections
Angled sections
Angle and tee cross sections

Benefits of Structural Steel

Using structural steel has many benefits for any construction project. These include:

Quality Construction

Structural steel fabrication is precise. There is no fear of variations in materials that can result in a bad fit. Steel has known, predictable properties, allowing designers to accurately plan construction works. ESC Steel Structures fabrication operates a controlled environment with astringent quality control to ensure all materials meet regulations.

Safety

Structural steel is a safe building material. It does not burn or suffer from mold. When galvanized, it is rust resistant. It is flexible enough to not shatter with vigorous movements. Pre-shaped, it is also safer for onsite workers as there is no need for manual cutting.

Sustainable Material

Structural steel is often made from a high percentage of recycled material. It can also be recycled in the future, with no loss of strength. Steel production uses less and recycles more than many other related processes.

Lower Costs

When using prefabricated materials, the construction project is generally completed faster. This results in fewer labor hours and thus reduces the costs of construction. With a faster completion, a structure can start serving it purpose quicker.

What to Look for in Structural Steel Fabrication Provider

When looking for a reliable steel structures fabrication company, there are several things to keep in mind.

Manufacturers should adhere to all necessary standards for safety and also according to location-specific standards. ESC Steel Structures is certified to meet diverse international requirements, with certification including:

ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 Health Safety and Environment Management Systems
AWS certified welders and welding inspectors
BS EN 1090-1 and 1090-2 for CE Marking
CSA W47.1 Canada Standard Association certification
AISC American Institute of Steel Construction
ASME- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
API- American Petroleum Institute
AWWA- American Water Work Association
ACRS- Australia Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural steels
SSPC- Steel Structure Protective Coatings
NACE International-National Association of Corrosion Engineers

Companies should have a wide range of steel structures fabrication capabilities. ESC provides convenient solutions to wide-ranging needs, including:

3D modeling and shop drawing detailing
Forming, machining, cutting, drilling, threading,
Pipe forming
Fit-up, Welding, heat treatment
Galvanizing, blasting, painting, phosphating, anti-slip treatment
Inspection, Testing
Trial assembly (physically or virtually )

The engineering team should include professionals from diverse backgrounds for a better understanding of in-depth project requirements. ESC’s engineers include those from civil, nuclear, aerospace, mechanical and offshore fields.

Companies should provide top-quality project management with great communication. They should operate ethically, responsibly, and sustainably.

ESC is an expert steel structures fabrication company, capable of meeting a broad spectrum of needs related to structural steel. Contact ESC to discuss your requirements and connect with offices around the world.