Ditch sheet piling

Let’s start with what exactly the cases will require a sheet pile for the excavation:

• If earthworks are carried out in quicksand, loose or wet soils. In this case, the risk of collapse of the pit walls increases many times over;
• The construction of the pit is carried out in cramped conditions, other buildings are located nearby;
• There is a need to strengthen the foundation of an existing building or build an underground floor, a cellar, under it.

Types of sheet piling:

• Reinforced concrete. Reinforced concrete piles, driven or bored, are used. Such a tongue has a rectangular cross-section with a trapezoidal or semicircular groove and a ridge. Reinforced concrete sheet piling is the most expensive, because pile posts cannot be retrieved and reused. Therefore, the reinforced concrete sheet pile is made an integral part of the foundation, which makes it possible to rationalize costs. The length of reinforced concrete piles can be up to 15 m;
• Wooden. Such sheet piling is used if the driving depth does not exceed three meters. Cut boards with a thickness of four centimeters or more are used. In modern large-scale construction, wooden sheet piling is rarely used due to low reliability and the impossibility of using it during further construction of the foundation. In private construction, it is more common;
• Larsen sheet pile. It is a trough-shaped metal profile with slot locks. A reliable and convenient option, with the help of such a fence, piers and the coastline are often strengthened, the wall is waterproof. The Larsen sheet pile can be removed from the ground and used on another construction site;

• Pipe. Most often used pipes with a cross section of 219 to 530 mm are used. Such a tubular sheet pile with a round section has a high level of stability, therefore it is used on soil prone to shear;
• I-beam sheet piling. Often not inferior in reliability to the Larsen sheet pile.

There are three methods for installing sheet piling of foundation pits:

1. Screwing. Can only be used on steel pipes with a special tip;
2. Driving, impact method. A pile driver is required. A common method, because in the case of a sheet pile hammering, the soil around it does not loosen. However, the impact method cannot be used if there is dense development around the construction site. During driving, there may be a negative effect on the foundations of nearby buildings;
3. Vibration immersion. Vibrators are required, which are available on the basis of the excavator. There is no destructive effect on the foundations of nearby houses, however, vibration immersion is effectively performed only on sandy loam, low-moisture clay and sandy soil.

Important! SNiP 3.02.01–87 “Earthworks, foundations and foundations” is in effect, which, among other things, regulates the norms for arranging sheet piles. The document contains clear requirements, indicators and formulas for calculating the required characteristics of sheet piling.

The installation process of sheet piling includes the following steps:

• First, you should carry out the necessary calculations, choose the optimal sheet pile option, so as not to spend extra money and ensure the reliability of subsequent construction;
• Delivery and unloading of sheet piles. If rolled metal or concrete products are longer than 10 m, a special tractor will be required. However, in private construction, such solid sheet piles are rarely used;
• After marking the contour of the fence, piling devices or vibratory drivers come into play, depending on which option for installing the sheet pile is chosen;
• It is important to check that the dowels are in a strictly vertical position, first a directional immersion is carried out;
• A closed fence should be formed along the perimeter of the pit;
• After the rest of the construction work is carried out with the foundation.

It is best to entrust the calculations of the sheet piling of the pits and all the work associated with it to specialists. It is almost impossible to cope with such a task without construction equipment and expert skills. The service price is on average 300-500 rubles per running meter and depends on the working conditions, soil characteristics, perimeter and the selected type of tongue.