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info@escvinylpile.com
Office Address
20109 Knox Road, Cornelius,
NC 28031
NC 28031
Vinyl Sheet Pile Installation Method
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Insllation Guide
Work Equipment Selection
The work equipment for driving the PESC Vinyl Sheet Piles sheet piling must be selected with the following criteria:
• The sheet pile length for the project.
• Soil conditions: the geological properties of the site define the soil resistance against the driving of the sheet piles and
the maximum weight of the heavy machines which can enter the site.
• The budget allocated by the project owner for the sheet piling work
• The available work space for the construction work
Installation of vinyl sheet pile and equipment are similar to those applied in the driving of steel sheet piling. The PVC sheet piles can be driven with excavators, pile driving rigs, or cranes; each of these construction machines has specific advantages and drawbacks and which machine is to be ultimately chosen will depend on the foregoing selection criteria. Yet another criterion to consider is the selection of a suitable vibratory hammer, followed by the selection of the mandrel type to use. If the soil conditions allow, very common technique is to use plate compactor or excavator bucket to simply press the sheet piles into the ground.
Technical Experts
at the ESC Steel provide professional consulting for the selection of sheet piling installation equipment. With the extensive and in-depth experience we can guarantee that our recommended selection of work equipment will be optimum for your project specifications.
Construction Machines
PESC Vinyl Sheet Piles can be utilized for structures such as Embankments, Flood Walls or Levees, Stabilization of Dams, Protection of
Piping, Ground Water Cut-off Walls, Seawalls, Bulkheads and Marine Structures.
Construction Machines
Vibratory Hammer
Choosing an optimum vibratory hammer is just as important as choosing an optimum construction machine. Here, the criterion is a simple rule of thumb: the more difficult the soil conditions are and the longer sheet piling is, the heavier and more powerful the vibratory hammer should be. When installing 20’ or longer sheet piling with an excavator, we highly suggest Movax vibratory hammers, which are very mobile and greatly speed up the completion of sheet piling work.
Construction Machines
Plate Compactors
While not suitable for hard or dense soils, plate compactors can be highly effective in soft to medium soil conditions, particularly for driving shorter piles or assisting in the final alignment and seating of the sheets. As a general rule, the softer the soil, and the shorter the pile, the more appropriate a plate compactor becomes. When using a plate compactor, it’s crucial to ensure that the compactor is securely mounted to the excavator arm and that a custom headplate or adapter is used to properly engage the sheet pile profile without damaging the interlocks. Padding material should also be considered to prevent deformation of the vinyl pile during compaction.
Although plate compactors lack the power of vibratory hammers, they can still effectively install PESC Vinyl Piles up to approximately 10–12 feet in length, depending on soil conditions. They are also a great tool for driving the last few feet of sheet piles that were started by other means or for gently correcting alignment during installation.
Construction Machines
Excavator Bucket
The pressing method using the excavator bucket is a simple and cost-effective installation technique, especially suitable for short vinyl sheet piles (typically up to 8–10 feet in length) and very soft or loose soils, such as peat, silt, or loose sand. This method does not involve vibration or impact, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments, areas near existing structures, or projects with environmental constraints. In this technique, the sheet pile is positioned vertically and held in alignment, while the excavator operator applies steady, downward pressure on the top of the pile using the flat underside of the bucket. The pressure should be applied gradually and in a controlled manner to avoid damaging the pile head or causing misalignment. In some cases, a wooden or rubber pad may be placed between the bucket and the pile to protect the sheet pile. For best results, this method is often combined with preexcavation of a narrow trench or guiding slot, helping the pile to follow a precise alignment and easing the initial penetration.
Construction Machines
Excavator
Wheeled or tracked, excavators are the single most popular machines for sheet piling driving. The machines ensure quick installation with a great mobility and off-road worthiness on boggy ground where other machines might sink under its weight. Excavators require relatively small work sites. The only drawback of an excavator is the power output limit which may not suffice in difficult soil conditions. However, this happens very rarely.
Excavators can drive PVC sheet piles up to 33’ long (in case of using Vibrohammers with side grip)
Construction Machines
Cranes
The pressing method using the excavator bucket is a simple and cost-effective installation technique, especially suitable for short vinyl sheet piles (typically up to 8–10 feet in length) and very soft or loose soils, such as peat, silt, or loose sand. This method does not involve vibration or impact, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments, areas near existing structures, or projects with environmental constraints. In this technique, the sheet pile is positioned vertically and held in alignment, while the excavator operator applies steady, downward pressure on the top of the pile using the flat underside of the bucket. The pressure should be applied gradually and in a controlled manner to avoid damaging the pile head or causing misalignment. In some cases, a wooden or rubber pad may be placed between the bucket and the pile to protect the sheet pile. For best results, this method is often combined with preexcavation of a narrow trench or guiding slot, helping the pile to follow a precise alignment and easing the initial penetration.
Construction Machines
Pile Driving Rig
Pile driving rigs are machines for heavy-duty installation requirements. While large and heavy, they have enough power to drive very long sheet piles, measuring up to 46’. Deployment of a pile driving rig at the work site requires a considerable budget. We only recommend these machines for difficult soil conditions. Another advantage of pile driving rigs is that they facilitate erection of well-aligned and very aesthetic sheet piling walls, because these machines can easily control the direction and vertical trueness
of the piles.
Execution
Prior to execution of sheet piling installation, all contractor personnel require training in the process delivered by a licensed specialist to understand the work statement of PESC Vinyl Sheet Piles sheet piling installation. Please ensure the essential PPE (personal protective equipment) for the installation The first step of installation work is to verify that the PVC sheet piles, the mandrel, and the construction machines to be used are fully operational and free of damage. The contractor should first set out the line of the sheet piling wall according to the project plans and specifications. The setout is usually done by driving steel bars into the ground and along the planned sheet piling line; the steel bars are tied together with a highly visible line.
It is often recommended to drive sheet piling into a narrow trench if the ground surface is covered with man-made materials, like stone rubble, which could make it difficult to vertically align the PVC sheet piles. With the sheet piling wall set out, the mandrel can be installed on the vibratory hammer. The mandrel should be secured flexibly with a chain of sufficient strength. The chain must pass the lug on the mandrel.
NOTE: DO NOT USE ANY RIGID FIXTURE, LIKE BOLTS, TO INSTALL THE MANDREL TO THE VIBRATORY HAMMER; OTHERWISE THE VIBRATION DEVELOPED BY THE HAMMER MAY CAUSE THE BOLT TO FAIL, THE MANDREL MAY FALL OF AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT THE WORK SITE.
The first installation step depends on the vibratory hammer type and the length of sheet piling to be driven. For a Movax vibratory hammer, the excavator operator lowers the boom and moves the vibratory hammer so that the mandrel rests horizontally on the ground or a platform. With the mandrel positioned so, the PVC sheet pile is inserted into it all the way up to the mandrel head / length adjustment slider.
INSTALL EACH VINYL SHEET PILE SO THAT ITS FEMALE INTERLOCK SLIDES ONTO THE MALE INTERLOCK OF THE PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN SHEET. THE SHEET PILE LOCKS SHOULD BE LOCATED CLOSER TO LAND SIDE, AS SHOWN IN THE DRAWING.
Construction Machines
Installation of long sheet piling with a pile driving rig
The pile driving rig operator opens the vibratory hammer jaws to release the mandrel so that its bottom rests on the ground; next, the operator drives the rig in reverse to rest the mandrel on the ground. Two workers insert the sheet pile into the mandrel, all the way up to the mandrel head / length adjustment slider.
If the PVC sheet piling no longer than 20 ft is driven with a regular vibratory hammer, each sheet pile is inserted into the mandrel with the latter upright. To do so, the operator lowers the mandrel until its bottom rests firmly on a wooden platform or block
(1). Two or more workers position the sheet pile upright and resting on the mandrel (2), (3). The workers verify that the top of the sheet pile adheres well to the mandrel and if it does, the sheet pile is inserted between the bolted dogs by lifting it up and resting the sheet pile end on the wooden platform / block (4).
Once inside of the mandrel, the sheet pile must be temporarily secured to prevent detachment. Several fastening options are possible. If the sheet pile is inserted into the mandrel horizontally, the temporary fastening are bolts driven into the holes on the dogs at the mandrel top. The bolts must be torqued firmly, carefully, and without overtightening. If the sheet pile is bolted with too much torque, it can fail while being driven. If the sheet pile is installed vertically in the mandrel, hand screws should secure the sheet pile from its and the mandrel’s left and right-hand sides. Automatic action screws should be used which greatly reduce the time to fasten the components together. Alternatively, the sheet pile can be secured to the mandrel with lashing straps. This method is also recommended for the horizontal mounting of the sheet pile in the mandrel and where the top of the sheet piling wall will be exposed and requires a good aesthetic finish; note that bolts will leave chatter marks on the sheet pile due to the vibration.
The next installation step is to install steel clips which prevent the soil from getting between the sheet pile and the mandrel profile. The soil penetration of this location might deflect the sheet pile from the vertical while driven into the ground, resulting in offset from the setout. Steel clips also protect the sheet piles from impact against hard bodies, like rocks. THE STEEL CLIPS ARE NOT RECOVERABLE. ESC Steel can provide steel clips on request. If the steel clips are too tight and cannot the installed, they need to be opened with the wedge peen of a hammer. The steel clips must be installed carefully. They can be secured in place by blowing with a hammer, but the sheet pile must not be cut by the clip; otherwise, the sheet pile might crack tangentially and cause leaks through the finished sheet piling wall. The number and size of the clips depends on the sheet pile profile. For our sheet piles we recommend to use at least three clips per one profile.
Installation Guide
Vinyl Sheet Pile Specifications
Includes:
- Loading and Unloading
- Driving Guides
- Installation Methods
- Installation Guides
- Accessories
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Office
20109 Knox Road, Cornelius,
North Carolina 28031
Factory
2185 Salisbury Highway, Statesville, North Carolina, 28677