Sheet Pile Foundation
Sheet Piling Foundation
Sheet pile foundation is used in construction industry to provide stable foundation to the structures. It comes in varied prices depending on the materials chosen. However, before installing any of them the contractors determine the soil condition, terrain, and based on that they decide which type of sheet pile can be used. These piles often form a temporary retaining wall; thereby preventing the mishaps associated with soft soil and ensuring stability.
Procedure Required for Sheet Piling Foundation
Sheet pile foundation can’t be executed by a standard piling contractor, the specialist, who are experienced in this field can work for you to get the job done. Here’s is a rough installation procedure followed by the contractor:
Pile Driving Equipment :
Before starting the installation of sheet pile, a few pieces of equipment are prepared, such as driving hammers and jetting equipment. The manufacturer recommends the driving energy for hammers so that it’s applicable to the relevant sheet pile. Jetting equipment must have a minimum of two removable or fixed jets of water or it can be a combination of air and water.
Placing and Driving :
After preparing the sheet pile driving equipment, they are placed in the location shown in the construction drawings. Temporary walls, templates, or guide structures are carried out to ensure the sheet pilings are placed and driven in the correct alignment.
After the sheet piles are set in place, the jetting machine will begin driving at them. These piles need to be driven by proper hammer size and by approved methods to ensure safety and proper interlocking throughout their lengths. A protective cap is employed on the top of the sheet piles to prevent damage during driving with a hammer.
Cutting-Off and Splicing :
After driving the sheet piles into the ground, if the contractor finds out if that it requires additional penetration, splicing, or jointing work then driving works will be implemented for the sheet piles until they reach their limit on the ground. After this, excessive sheet piles will be cut off and removed from the site. All cutting-off work is done in a neat and expert manner to ensure safety.
Inspection of Driven Piling :
The sheet piling contractor will then inspect the interlocked joints of driven sheet piles extending above ground. If the contractor finds that the sheet piles are out of interlock, they are removed and replaced by new ones.
Pulling and Re-driving :
After the inspection of driven piling, another similar process is carried out, which is called pulling and re-driving. The contractor will pull selected sheet piles to determine the condition of the underground portions of sheet piles. If the contractor finds any damages to the extent that their usefulness in the structure is impaired, then the sheet piles will be removed and replaced with a new sheet pile.