Sheet Piling and Its Importance in Building Foundations
Foundations are essential for supporting buildings and other structures. There has to be something that bears the entire load brought down by buildings as they settle on the ground. Foundations come in handy because they transfer all that weight to deeper layers of rock, concrete and soil capable of bearing the entire load. Piling contractors create deep foundations using long, columnar tools made from a combination of concrete and steel. Admittedly, making such foundations is a daunting task that demands peculiar technique and expertise. In this article, you will learn about sheet piling and the role it plays in the construction of building foundations:
What Is Sheet Piling?
One of the most significant risks involved in building and reinforcing foundations is the possibility of the soil caving in on the workers. The extensive excavation that occurs during these works puts the surrounding soil layers under immense pressure, and they can cave in at any time. Sheet piling offers the necessary support for retaining the surrounding soil and keeping it away from the ongoing foundation works.
When Does Sheet Piling Come in Handy?
Today, many engineers do not have so much space to work with when building foundations with piles. Sheet piling creates temporary walls that protect your workers from unprecedented cave-ins. It also complements other forms of foundation piles by keeping them from damage. Lastly, you can also use sheet piling to create permanent walls that enhance the stability of your foundation and prevent flooding in basements. You should certainly consider this if your building is close to a large body of water.
What Makes Up Sheet Piling Material?
Steel is the ideal choice of material when it comes to sheet piling. It is strong, durable and galvanised to withstand many forms of corrosion. However, you can select vinyl or wood sheets designed to meet the standards of foundation material. Typically, the material comes as thin sheets that can link with each other neatly to form a continuous wall. They interlock in sequence along the planned perimeter wall that you want to install them, holding loose soil in position.
What Are the Benefits of Sheet Piling?
Sheet piling has several benefits when used for building and reinforcing foundations. First, most of the material used to make sheet piling is friendly to the environment. You can recycle steel and vinyl for other construction purposes. Secondly, the design and length of the piles are highly adaptable to meet the needs of your foundation. Lastly, sheet piling works in many soil conditions because the joints are designed to meet high-pressure requirements of foundation structures.
