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.

Trench Shield Solutions: Strengths and Advantages

1. According to statistics from Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), the rate of fatalities in excavation works is over 100% more than from any other construction activity. From this, three (3) out of four (4) are caused by cave-ins. Trench shields (also known as Trench Boxes) are a safety cage primarily designed to protect the people in the event of a cave-in. They are mostly produced from steel and aluminum alloys, making them extraordinarily strong and rigid against soil collapse when assembled as a system.

2. Trenches generally have something called a stand-up time. This is the period of time that a trench will last from the time it is dug to the time its walls begin to collapse. Stand-up time could be as quick as few seconds to as long as days or months, depending on depth, soil type, ground water level, weather conditions, and intensity of activity inside and around the trench. A properly designed and installed Trench Shield shall give the workers the required time to complete the job inside the trench while their safety is assured.

3. Temporary trench shields can be economically rented and are much less expensive than fixed shoring systems. Contractors who don’t prefer to invest in producing or purchasing their own can simply rent or subcontract the supply and installation from Companies who has high expertise in the business, like ESC Trench Shoring Inc. Trench Shield or Trench Box profiles can be built to within 100mm (4 in.) of actual dimensional needs, avoiding unnecessary excavation and backfilling works. Contractors should always use a Competent Person to evaluate the trench and the trench shield requirements and should always follow the Trench Shields manufacturers’ tab data sheet.

4. Trench Shields are available in a wide range of sizes and strength categories that suit different volume requirements and soil conditions. They can also be provided in custom sizes.Shields can be easily adjusted to appropriate widths using fixed or adjustable spreaders and struts. ESC Trench Shields providea size matrix of close dimensional increments for easy and economical selection that will match configurations of the trench and equipment to be used.

5. Trench shield solutions eliminates the need for sloping and benching of trench walls, hence wide excavations are no longer required. Not only excavation time is reduced but also the backfill volume, cutting down overall expenditures by significant amounts. They are of huge help when Right of Way is limited and workspace needs to be maximized.

6. Trench shield components are engineered for high strength, robust design, low weight, and ease of handling. Modular panels, spreaders, and struts are light enough to be transported by light trucks and can be quickly configured for 2, 3 or 4-sided. Parts are delivered in flat packages and can be easily assembled and lifted into the trench by any existing onsite excavation equipment.

The ESC Trench Shield System is designed and manufactured in accordance with EN 13331—1 and EN 13331- 2, with parts and components and certified by Independent Professional Engineer.

Need advice on the right trench shield for your job? Please contact us at +971 2550 6188 escuae@escpileuae.com www.esctrenchsafety.com.

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Trench Shield Solutions: Strengths and Advantages

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