Steel sheet piles come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and gauges.
They are broadly categorized into the following types:
- Z-type Steel Sheet Piles: These are the most common type of sheet pile in North America and can be used in a wide variety of applications. Z-profiles are made with one of three methods: ArcelorMittal’s AZ lines, produced by the Mannesmann Line, are rolled; Skyline Steel’s SC, SK, and SM series are cold-formed and Tadotsu and Nippon Steel’s NS-SP, JFE/JFESP have an intermediate modulus.
- U-type Steel Sheet Piles: U sheet piles retain soil and water just like Z piles with one important difference: U piles have the interlock on the neutral axis. The placement of the lock in the centerline of the wall reduces the efficiency of the section and can cause problems with installation, particularly when deep driving depths are required.
- Straight Web Sheet Piles: Straight web sheet piles are designed for forming cofferdams and are used in conjunction with both Z and U type sheet piles. These piles are not designed to resist bending moments but are used in applications where embedded retaining walls are required.
- Pan Type / Trapezoidal Sheet Piles: They are also known as box piles, and they are used in larger retaining structures. They are usually formed by welding or locking individual sheet piles together to form a box or trapezoidal shape.
- Omega Type Sheet Piles: These piles are similar to Z-type piles but have a different shape – like the Greek letter Omega (Ω). Omega sheet piles are often used in Europe.
- Frodingham Sheet Piles: These are Z-type sheet piles that were originally made in the UK by the Frodingham Iron Company, hence the name. They are now made by several companies around the world.
- Cold-Formed Steel Sheet Piles: This type of pile is formed by rolling at ambient temperatures. While they are less expensive than hot-rolled piles, they also have less load-bearing capacity.
- Hot-Rolled Sheet Piles: These are formed by heating steel to high temperatures. Hot-rolled piles have a higher load-bearing capacity but are also more expensive.
Each type of steel sheet pile is designed for specific applications, and the choice depends on the project requirements, including the design load, ground conditions, and installation method.
What are the advantages of using Z-type Steel Sheet Piles compared to other types?
Z-type sheet piles bring several advantages due to their particular shape and interlock design. Here are a few notable advantages:
- High Strength: Z-type sheet piles are usually made from high-strength steel, which gives them excellent structural rigidity. Their shape provides a high section modulus, meaning they can carry higher loads compared to other types.
- Efficient Design: The interlocks on Z-type sheet piles are located at the outermost fibers of the wall, away from the neutral axis. This placement results in an efficient section modulus and provides a high bending moment resistance.
- Driving Efficiency: Z-type sheet piles typically have a large width, which helps reduce the number of interlocks and thus decreases the potential for leakage. The larger width also means fewer piles are needed for the wall, saving installation time.
- Versatility: Z-type sheet piles can be used for both temporary and permanent applications, and they work well in both straight and curved applications.
- Good Interlock Design: The interlock design on Z-type sheet piles is typically more robust and can accommodate higher tensile loads. This design makes them suitable for high load-bearing walls and high water pressure applications.
- Durability: Like other Steel Sheet Piles, Z-type piles are highly durable and can withstand harsh environmental conditions. They can be coated or treated for additional corrosion resistance.
- Reusability: Z-type sheet piles can be extracted and reused in other projects, making them a sustainable choice.
It’s important to note that while Z-type sheet piles have many advantages, the choice of sheet pile type should always be based on the specific requirements of the project, including soil conditions, groundwater level, load requirements, and cost considerations.
We sell and rent three different hot-rolled, "Z" type sheet piling products, flat piling and combination systems to ensure that we can match the needs of your application.The Z shape of each section lends to its structural strength which is determined not only by the size, but also by the thickness of the steel. Of course, the soil conditions in which the section is driven will also affect the performance of the foundation or wall.
Hot Rolled Sheet Piles are formed by profiling the steel with high temperatures as the rolling process occurs. Typically, hot rolled sheet piles are produced to BS EN 10248 Part 1 & 2. Greater thicknesses are achievable than cold rolled sheet piles. The interlocking clutch tends to be tighter as well.
Like other steel piling shapes, sheet piling is driven into the ground to provide stability and support for a range of construction applications. As its name suggests, these are steel sheets that form a support wall, rather than the round or H-shaped cross sections of other piling shapes. Sheet piling has both temporary and permanent uses, usually as retaining walls for excavation, underground structures, or seawalls.
U-type Steel Sheet Pile U-type profile interlocked on both sides to form a continuous wall with centerline in the middle of a double U section wall.
Z-shaped steel sheet piles are produced in a zigzag form and are typically driven in crimped or welded doubles. These piles offer a unique set of benefits, particularly for port construction and deep foundations where their higher modulus and use as intermediate piles in tubular & HZ combination walls is advantageous. Advantages of Z-Shaped Steel Sheet Piles Flexible Design and High Section Modulus: Z-shaped steel sheet piles offer a high section modulus and mass ratio, allowing for flexible design according to the project's needs. Higher Moment of Inertia: The higher moment of inertia increases the stiffness of the sheet pile wall and reduces displacement deformation. Large Width: The large width of these piles saves time during lifting and piling. Corrosion Resistance: Parts of the sheet pile that are prone to serious corrosion undergo thickening treatment, enhancing corrosion resistance. Lighter Weight: The weight per square meter of a Z sheet pile is always less than that of a U sheet pile for a similar section modulus, making it a more efficient choice. Use as Infill Pile: Z-shaped sheet piles can be used as infill piles together with steel pipes and H-beams. They are typically used to achieve a very high modulus.
The steel sheet pile is very wide, in the permanent structure of the building, can be used for wharf, unloading yard, embankment revetment, wall, retaining wall, breakwater, diversion embankment, dock, gate, etc.; In temporary structures, can be used to seal the mountain, temporary shore expansion, cut-off, bridge cofferdam, large pipeline laying temporary ditch excavation retaining, water, sand, and so on; In flood fighting, it can be used for flood control, collapse prevention, sand and so on.
