Steel Sheet Piles

---

• Z-type sheet piles, which have high strength-to-weight ratios and are widely used in North America. 
• Flat web sheet piles, often used in circular or arc formations to create gravity cells.
• Pan-type sheet piles, which are smaller and suited for light-duty applications.
• Steel sheet piles can be hot-rolled or cold-formed. Hot-rolled piles typically have tighter interlocks, making them better suited for demanding conditions or applications requiring low permeability.
  They’re valued for their strength, reusability, and speed of installation compared to concrete walls. With proper corrosion protection, they can also serve as permanent structural elements in marine or flood control environments.
  
   

Feature

Steel Sheet Piles

Soldier Pile & Lagging Walls

Concrete Walls

Best Use Cases

Waterfronts, flood zones, tight urban sites

Temporary excavations, highways, deep cuts

Permanent retaining walls, high-load applications

Waterproofing

Excellent (interlocking design)

Limited (gaps between lagging)

Good (if properly sealed)

Installation Speed

Fast, but requires specialized equipment

Moderate, simpler equipment

Slow (formwork, curing time)

Flexibility

Moderate (prefabricated sections)

High (custom spacing and lagging materials)

Low (rigid structure)

Reusability

High (can be extracted and reused)

Moderate (steel beams reusable, lagging often not)

Low

Cost

Moderate to high

Generally lower

High

Durability

High with corrosion protection

Moderate (depends on lagging material)

High

In short:

• Steel sheet piles shine in marine or water-sensitive environments where a continuous, watertight barrier is needed.
• Soldier piles are more adaptable and cost-effective for dry, urban excavations or temporary support.
• Concrete walls offer long-term strength but come with higher costs and slower construction.

Soil Condition

Recommended System

Loose or Granular Soil

Steel sheet piles (excellent for cohesionless soils), reinforced soil walls with geogrid

Cohesive Soil (Clay)

Soldier piles with lagging, secant or diaphragm walls if water is present

High Water Table

Steel sheet piles, diaphragm walls, or secant piles with dewatering systems

Rocky Soil

Anchored systems, rock bolts, or cast-in-place concrete walls

Soft/Compressible Soil

Reinforced soil walls, geogrid-reinforced embankments, or deep foundations

Key Considerations:

• Drainage: Always include proper drainage (e.g., weep holes, gravel backfill, perforated pipe) to reduce hydrostatic pressure.
• Excavation Depth: Deeper cuts may require bracing (struts, rakers, anchors) or more robust systems like diaphragm walls.
• Adjacent Structures: In urban areas, minimize vibration and soil movement—secant piles or slurry walls are ideal.
• Reusability & Speed: Steel sheet piles are fast to install and reusable, making them great for temporary or phased work.

• Soil: Loose sand and gravel
• Water: Moderate water table, occasional seepage
• Depth: 10–15 feet
• Constraints: Tight urban footprint, nearby utilities

Recommended System:

Steel Sheet Piles would be ideal here. Why?

• They provide excellent lateral support in cohesionless soils.
• Their interlocking design offers strong groundwater control.
• They’re quick to install and remove, minimizing disruption.
• With tiebacks or internal bracing, they can handle deeper cuts safely.

If the soil were clayey and you had more space, soldier piles with lagging might be more cost-effective. Or if you needed a permanent, watertight wall in a high-risk zone, secant piles or diaphragm walls would be the go-to.