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.

Choosing the Right Marine Fender

Marine Fender Systems used in the Maritime Industry has evolved throughout time. Utilization of readily available materials such as woods or logs, rope paddings, and used tires has been seen in the earlier centuries. More advanced concepts however have emerged in the contemporary period giving us wide range of marine rubber fenders variety at present.

Marine Fender Manufacturers did not fail to devise and innovate options for Maritime Companies and Authorities in catering the needs of the Industry especially in their quest for loss prevention, in money, time, & human life.

Marine Fender Systems nowadays are highly effective, long lasting, while maintained economical and practical. As assurance measure, marine fenders are installed permanently at the hull or head of a vessel itself and at berthing structures to prevent or minimize damages in cases of collisions or overshooting.

With the vast number of options available in market today, choosing the best material and system for a certain application is a valuable key in a project’s success. As an unselfish contribution, ESC has derived a guide incorporating necessary details and parameters about the products and systems that enables clients to get started on their sourcing process.

Marine Fender Type: Cone Fender

Features: Considered the most modern and has the highest energy to reaction ratios of any fender currently in use. The high efficiency of the fender allows a smaller, less costly, rubber fender to be installed. They are equipped with large front panels to distribute the reaction force keeping the hull pressure low & distributed.

Marine Fender Type:Cell Fender

Features: Known to be the most commonly used fenders which displays the lowest reaction force per unit energy absorbed among all types. They are the most durable rubber fenders available and are currently the largest moulded fenders made.

Marine Fender Type:Arch Fender

Features: Simple, one-piece fender units that provides incredible shear resistance. The distinct shape of these fenders helps them dissipate the stress evenly.These are most reliable fenders which serve their purpose effectively even in severe most conditions. Can be installed horizontally or vertically.

Marine Fender Type: Element Fender

Features: Element fender provides a compact solution for the mounting of fenders in limited areas. They are one of the most durable type which can be installed horizontally or vertically.

Marine Fender Type: Square / D-Type Marine Fender

Features: Compression-moulded rubber fenders which are directly fastened to structures using bolt fasteners. They are used in tough & demanding environment, designed to operate in harsh conditions, and has great shear resistance and durability.

Marine Fender Type: Pneumatic Fender

Features: Marine fenders used as anti-collision devices preventing ship-to-ship contacts. These floating fender also serves as additional fender system when existing ones at the dock are not enough. Extensively used in ship to ship transfers at open seas, double banking operations, and vessel-to-berth at jetties.

Marine Fender Type:Foam Filled Fender

Features: Floating type compression fender alternative and works comparably to pneumatic fenders. It consists of an outer polyurethane protective layer, a reinforced rubber nylon cord fabric, and internal space that is filled with foam to absorb impact.

Marine Fender Type: Roller Fender

Features: Roller fenders are mostly not designed to absorb high impacts. They are designed to guide vessels in narrow canals

Type by Material: Foam or Rubber Fender

Type by Area of Application: Dock Fender

Accessories: Anchorages

Advantages:

* Low in maintenance. * Their elastomer can turn on its axis in contact with moving ships, helping them move away from the protected line.

Recommended Application: Protection of corners or similar on docks. They are most applicable in dry docks, ship repair yards, and other passage ways.

Marine Fender Type: Cylindrical Fender

Features: Extruded cylindrical fenders are simple yet commonly used when talking about safe berthing for different kinds of vessels. They are highly durable against long periods of heavy use. They can be placed diagonally if required.

Type by Material: Rubber Fender

Type by Area of Application: Dock Fender

Accessories: Chain Anchors

Advantages: Very economic design solution in protecting berthing structures. Low maintenance due to easy installation/uninstallation and less steel parts.

Recommended Application: Very wide range of applications & sizes of ships depending on size of fender. Tug havens, general cargo quays, pontoons, piers, cargo berths, fishing berths.

ESC Group, in partnership with PIANC accredited Manufacturers, has over 20 years of experience delivering marine fender system solutions to Asia, North America, Central & South America, Europe and Middle East. ESC's global network provides an end-to-end solution that is customized to project requirements providing detailed support in close proximity to its valuable clients.

ESC has also developed a tool that aids in calculating berthing loads for the project's complete vessel range which are then used to specify the optimal fender configuration which includes - rubber fender selection, frontal panel sizing and location, chain and anchor design and if appropriate cathodic protection design.

Should you require our expertise, please email us at info@escmarinesystems.com or visit our website www.escmarinesystems.com for more information.

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Choosing the Right Marine Fender

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