Sheet piling fencing for pits: what is it and why is it needed

Sheet piling is a key element when carrying out excavation work, especially when it comes to deep excavations or construction in difficult ground conditions. It serves as temporary or permanent protection for the walls of the pit, ensuring their stability and preventing collapse. Such fencing is indispensable for ensuring the safety of construction work and maintaining the integrity of surrounding objects.

What is sheet piling?

Sheet piling is formed from a series of tightly interconnected elements called sheet piles — radpol.org. These elements create a strong wall that holds the soil and prevents it from crumbling. Different types of sheet piles allow the system to be adapted to different construction conditions, including difficult soils and high groundwater levels.

Main functions of sheet piling

Before moving on to the types of sheet piling, it is important to understand what tasks sheet piling performs and why it is so in demand.

• strengthening the walls of the pit. Sheet piling serves as a reliable support for the walls of the pit, preventing them from collapsing. This is especially important at stages when the pit depth increases and soil pressure becomes critical.
• waterproofing. Some types of sheet piles are able to effectively retain water, which protects the foundation pit from groundwater. This greatly simplifies work on sites with high groundwater levels and prevents flooding.
• safety. Ensuring the safety of workers and maintaining the stability of the structure during construction work is one of the main purposes of sheet piling.

Types of tongues

Depending on the tasks and construction conditions, different types of sheet piles are used. Each of them has its own characteristics that make it suitable for certain situations.

Before choosing a specific type of sheet piling, it is important to consider the characteristics of the soil, the depth of the excavation and the technical requirements of the project. Here are the most common types of tongue and groove:

• steel tongues. Steel tongues are considered universal and the most durable. They are used for complex projects where high strength and durability are required. Steel elements can withstand significant loads, which makes them an optimal solution for deep excavations.
• wooden tongues. For temporary and small pits, wooden tongues are often used. They are easy to install and economical, but have a limited service life and are less durable than their steel counterparts.
• concrete sheet piles. Concrete sheet piles are used to create long-term fences, especially if a high degree of waterproofing is required. They are resistant to moisture and do not corrode, but require considerable effort during installation.
• composite tongues. These are modern designs that combine strength and lightness. Composite tongues are resistant to corrosion and chemical attack, making them suitable for use in harsh environments.

Advantages of sheet piling

Using sheet piling has several significant advantages.

The choice of sheet piling is determined by the need to ensure the safety and efficiency of construction work. Here are the key benefits it provides:

• versatility. Sheet piling can be adapted to suit a variety of conditions, including difficult soils and different climate zones.
• waterproofing. Some types of sheet piles can protect the pit from groundwater, preventing it from flooding and ensuring dry working conditions.
• speed of installation. Installation of sheet piling is faster than the construction of monolithic walls, which allows you to speed up the preparatory work.
• strength and durability. Sheet pile elements, especially steel and concrete, are highly resistant to physical stress and external influences, which increases their service life.

Application

Sheet piling is used in a wide variety of projects where reliable support for excavations is required.

The use of sheet piling helps solve problems associated with the construction and strengthening of structures in difficult conditions. Main applications include:

• underground parking and multi-level garages. To ensure safety and stability of walls at great depths.
• foundations of buildings and structures. Especially in cases where construction is carried out in close proximity to existing buildings.
• engineering networks and communications. When laying underground communications, sheet piling prevents soil from shedding.
• bank protection structures. In hydraulic engineering construction, sheet piles are used to strengthen the banks of rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.

Sheet piling has a number of advantages compared to other types of fencing used to strengthen pits. Different technologies for strengthening the walls of pits are used depending on the construction conditions and the required degree of protection. Let’s look at the main types of fencing and compare them with sheet pile systems:

Main types of fencing for pits:

• fences made of bored piles. They are a series of piles that are drilled and filled with concrete directly on site. This is a fairly popular method of strengthening deep pits.
• walls made of prefabricated reinforced concrete structures. Used for large construction projects where high strength and durability are required.
• gabion fencing. Nets filled with stones or gravel are used to strengthen slopes and shallow pits, but are less effective for deep structures.
• panel and sheet fencing. They can be used for temporary work, but they are less resistant to soil pressure.

Advantages of sheet piling:

• high strength and stability. Steel sheet piles are especially strong and can withstand significant loads, making them the optimal choice for deep and complex excavations. Unlike fencing made from bored piles, sheet piling fencing is easier and faster to install, which speeds up the pit preparation process.
• waterproofing properties. Sheet piling effectively prevents the penetration of groundwater. This is especially important where groundwater levels are high, where other types of enclosures may require additional sealing. For example, bored piles may require additional waterproofing measures, which increases costs and work time.
• versatility of application. Tongue piles can be used not only for temporary strengthening of pits, but also as a permanent structure. Precast concrete elements are complex it cannot be dismantled, which limits their use in projects where temporary reinforcement is necessary.
• speed of installation. Unlike precast concrete structures, sheet piling installation is faster and requires less labor. This is especially useful on construction sites with limited preparation time.
• possibility of repeated use. Steel sheet piles can be reused, making them a cost-effective choice for temporary reinforcement projects. Precast concrete structures and bored piles do not have this advantage.
• environmental safety. Modern sheet piles made of composite materials and environmentally friendly types of steel reduce the impact on the environment. Unlike gabions, which can disturb the natural landscape, sheet piling fencing is installed with minimal impact on the environment.

Sheet piling has many advantages over other types of fencing for pits. It combines high strength, protection against water penetration, versatility and reusability. This makes sheet piling an effective and cost-effective choice for most construction projects, especially in challenging environments.

Experts emphasize: sheet piling is an important part of construction, allowing work to be carried out safely. With the right choice of material and type of sheet piling, the design will ensure the reliability of the pit, protection from groundwater and stability even under difficult construction conditions.