What Is Sheet Pile Shoring?
Sheet pile shoring is a construction technique used for supporting earth in excavation and burial projects. This method involves creating a shallow trench and placing plates on either side to retain the earth. The setup is supported by cut beams, which are adjustable to change the spacing between the plates. Known for its simplicity, sheet pile shoring requires few parts and can be easily assembled and disassembled by a small team.
Uses of Sheet Pile Shoring
Sheet pile shoring is commonly employed at excavation sites, particularly for the underground installation of utilities like water, sewage, and electrical pipes. It provides essential support in trenching operations, especially when trenches are as deep as a person’s height, to ensure the safe and stable installation of pipes. This technique is adaptable for both heavy and light earth pressure situations, depending on the depth and stability requirements of the excavation.
Principle of Sheet Pile Shoring
Sheet pile shoring is a form of earth retaining used to prevent ground collapse during excavation and to manage water flow. The choice between heavy and light earth pressure plates depends on the trench depth. For deeper trenches prone to collapse, heavy earth pressure plates supported by struts are used, whereas shallower trenches may require only the plates for support.
The cut beams, typically pipe-shaped, are inserted horizontally between plates to maintain stability. Additionally, other ground-supporting methods like gravity or leaning types can involve concrete retaining walls for earth retention.