Steel sheet pile design process

[struct_eeyore]

Hi all,

I've never been involved in a steel sheet pile project - and alas, here I am. Unfortunately, no one else in our office is familiar with the process either. There is no question in terms of theory, etc. but only about distribution of work and specification of materials. Is any aspect of specification typically subcontracted to the geotech - such as calculating embedment depth, providing a loading diagram/moments, etc? I've done a ton of retaining walls, where I get the benefit of assuming backfill properties - this sheet pile, by a rough estimate, is going to be driven at least 14' , so soil profiles may change; additionally, this is in a riverine flood zone. Or perhaps, (this is just a small portion of our project) is this something that is usually subcontracted in entirety? Thanks!

 

[MTNClimber]

Back in New England pretty much all geotechnical engineers and some structural engineers could fully design and spec sheetpile walls. Here in Colorado, geotechnical engineers wouldn't have a clue where to start. So really depends on the engineers in your area. At the very least a geotechnical engineer can provide testing, recommend friction angles, densities, and type of lateral earth pressure diagram to use. If there's a permanent sheet pile wall, then there should be a geotechnical engineer consulted to determine if a subsoil study should be conducted (the answer is typically yes).

My personal feelings when it comes to earth retention systems is if you don't have someone experienced on your team to review your work, then don't do it. Either hire someone to review your work or pass that portion of the project to someone with experience. Sheetpile walls they can be simple in some applications and pretty complicated in others.

 

[cvg]

there are really a couple of parts to this and you may need geotech, structural and civil/hydraulic.

stability of the wall requires good subsurface information and if it is below water, bathymetric survey and scour analysis as well. Need to confirm that there will be no rock or embedment depth may be limited. Many walls are anchored so if that is the case, than there are structural details for anchors, rods, welding. and if there is a cap on the wall, than that would also require structural