Sheet piles are structural components which, once driven into the ground, form a continuous vertical wall which is referred to as sheet pile.
Thanks to their high resistance to thrusts and strong impermeability, sheet piles have the function of containing the thrusts of the soil and water.
But let's see in detail what sheet piles are and what their use is.
What are sheet pile?
Sheet piles are retaining elements mainly used in civil and marine engineering for the construction of piers, dams and other similar structures in the field of infrastructure and hydraulic engineering. These are poles or columns with an Omega, Zeta, polygonal shape, generally made of steel, reinforced concrete, plastic or wood, which are driven vertically into the ground or into the sea bed to form a solid and stable retaining wall.
Sheet piles are usually arranged in parallel rows and can be connected by horizontal sleepers to form a supporting structure. Their driving depth depends on the conditions of the seabed and the project requirements, while their height and thickness can vary according to the function that the structure will have to perform.
Sheet piles are fundamental elements in the construction of coastal and river defense works, prevention and construction of works against hydrogeological instability, to protect adjacent areas from erosion and floods. They can also be used in land consolidation works or to support road and railway works in areas particularly subject to landslides or subsidence.
Sheet pile: types of use and fields of application
Sheet piles can be temporary or permanent, depending on their function and the expected duration of their use.
Temporary sheet piles are used, precisely, for the construction of temporary works such as excavations, trenches, road construction sites, construction of bridges and temporary dams. They are generally made of steel and are removed once the work has been completed.
When the sheet piles are of the permanent type, on the other hand, they are used for the construction of long-term works such as retaining walls, foundations for buildings and bridges, port works and breakwater barriers, hydraulic barriers for embankments, embankment consolidation, construction of expansion etc. They are made of materials such as steel, prestressed concrete, uPVC Plastic or wood treated with anti-degrading substances and have a long-lasting function.
GreenWall pvc sheet pile
Greenwall, thanks to the collaboration and technical skills of two Italian companies active for more than 60 years in the sheet pile extrusion/production and marketing/driving sectors, has created Greenwall PVC sheet piles. The ideal product in the maritime and river fields and in soil defense works and in the prevention of hydrogeological instability.
Common sheet piles are made of steel, concrete or wood, much more expensive materials, which require continuous maintenance, while PVC sheet piles have excellent durability over time without any maintenance.
Greenwall PVC sheet piles offer an eco-compatible and long-lasting technical solution as they are produced with approximately 85% recycled PVC. Furthermore, being made of plastic material, production and transport costs are reduced compared to traditional sheet piles. This translates into a net reduction of CO2 released into the atmosphere compared to traditional products.
Are you interested in Greenwall PVC sheet piles? Request more information or directly a free quote!