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
- Sep 3, 2022
- 3 min read

Why Work with a Structural Steel Fabricator for Your Construction Project?

Globally, structural steel is a top option in all sorts of building structures.

ESC Steel structures wide range of fabrication capabilities

A steel structures fabrication company may facilitate speedier construction. Steel is manufactured at a structural steel fabricator's warehouse and then brought to the construction site. There, it is installed with ease and precision.

Are you ready to use a structural steel fabricator for your next construction project? Here, we're sharing the benefits of working with a structural steel manufacturer.

Custom Structural Steel Is Economical and Faster to Install

Structural steel can create a huge reduction in the overall cost by the accumulation of savings in logistics, construction time, equipment cost, labor cost, and material cost.

Cost comparison studies has found structural steel to be 18% cheaper than reinforced concrete when constructing a building frame and 6% lower in terms of total building cost.

They also have the potential to reduce construction time significantly because of high precision of measurements, bolted connections which can be done by hand tools, and production which can be completed in parallel with foundation works schedule. Construction duration of Structural Steel Buildings (SSB) or Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings (PEB) are about 10% shorter compared to conventional structures.

Custom Structural Steel Is Lightweight and Safe

Structural steel building can be 30% lighter than conventional building when properly designed and constructed. This is a factor that can greatly reduce the costs of foundation works and the overall degree of construction difficulties.

During construction, the structure can also be completed more safely due to limitations in volume of equipment & workers involved, scope of hazardous works, and time of exposure to daily risks.

Furthermore, steel is non-combustible. It does not ignite nor spread flames. It is also resistant to rust and corrosion when properly coated or jacketed, it does not mold or mildew, and resists splintering and shattering during extreme movement.

Custom Structural Steel have Pleasing Appearance and High Quality

Structural steel is visually attractive. Many architects and designers prefer to expose structural steel elements rather than conceal them with other materials. Steel also pairs nicely with other modern architectural elements like glass and fiber concrete.

Structural steel can also be fabricated into numerous shapes or geometrical configurations such as arches, twisted sections, splines, and more. Structural steel is naturally the expression of minimalist and modern architectural designs.

High quality of fabricated and manufactured structural steel can be assured due to production of all components in highly regulated, controlled, and automated environment. All steel units are precisely formed to shapes, sharp edges, dimensions, and required interconnection integrity.

Custom Structural Steel Is Strong and Durable

ESC Steel structures high-quality fabrication services

Steel is an excellent tensile and compressive material. Its ability to bend without easily cracking or breaking are inherent advantages of structural steel. Compared to all other materials, structural steel has the greatest ability to maintain strength and integrity during extreme events.

Being lightweight, structural steel are found to react positively to the said extremities such as strong winds. Besides, structural steel has been favored by Engineers for multi-storey buildings especially in areas with high seismic activities like Japan.

Custom Structural Steel Allows Flexible Designs

Global steel structures fabrication company

Aside from all of the benefits and reasons why you should use structural steel while building your home, it also offers you design freedom.

Architects may go beyond the box, developing ideas for homes that are distinct and distinct from the other homes on the block. With your design, you may transform your home into a work of art.

Steel Is a Sustainable and Green Material

Being 98% recyclable, steel is the most recycled material in the planet and has low carbon footprints. It is highly regarded as a green building material due to its capability to reduce wastes and pollution by significant numbers.

Steel is one of the most sustainable materials in the world because it loses none of its strength or other physical properties even after repeated recycling. Deteriorated steel and steel scraps can be melted and formed into desired forms endlessly. Demolished but sound structural members can also be transferred, re-used, or re-configured.

Additionally, steel-making process has a 95 percent water recycling rate with no external discharge making the operation conservative and environmental-friendly.

Work With a Structural Steel Fabricator For Your Next Construction Project

Reputable steel fabricators and providers always employ a recognized and dependable source with years of expertise and experience. Ideally, they provide a whole service, from product design through manufacturing and installation, relieving contractors of this burden and allowing them to focus on other elements of the construction.

If you are seeking a structural steel fabricator, go no further than ESC Steel Structures. ESC Steel Structures has been in the steel market for many years and believes in offering excellent steel to clients for any project. Visit our website to learn more about how we can help you!