Earth retention / Shoring
Sheet Pile Shoring (Vibro & Silent)
Interlocking steel sheet piles installed by vibratory hammer or silent press-in for watertight excavation support.
Overview
Steel sheet piles are interlocking steel sections installed edge to edge to form a continuous wall. The interlocks resist the passage of water, so sheet pile walls retain both soil and groundwater, and the piles can usually be extracted and reused once the permanent works are complete.
We install sheet piles in two ways. Vibro installation uses a vibratory hammer to drive the piles quickly on open sites. Silent installation uses a hydraulic press-in machine that pushes the piles into the ground with very little noise or vibration — the right choice next to existing buildings, roads and services.
As the excavation goes deeper, the wall is supported with steel walers and struts or with raking props, forming a braced excavation or a cofferdam.
Typical applications
- Basement excavations in urban areas
- Excavations next to existing buildings, roads and services (silent piling)
- Cofferdams for bridges, pump houses and river works
- Trenches for drainage and pipelines below the water table
- Temporary and permanent retaining walls
Our process
Plan the method
We review the ground, groundwater and neighbouring structures and choose vibro or silent installation to suit the site.
Set out and guide
The wall line is set out and a guide frame is used so the piles go in straight and stay interlocked.
Install the sheet piles
Piles are installed one after another to the design depth with the vibratory hammer or the press-in machine.
Excavate and brace
Excavation proceeds in stages, with walers and struts or props installed at the design levels.
Extract and recover
Once the permanent works are complete, the bracing is removed and the sheet piles are extracted for reuse.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between vibro and silent sheet piling?
Vibro piling uses a vibratory hammer and is fast on open sites. Silent piling pushes the piles in hydraulically with very little noise or vibration, so it is used next to existing buildings, roads and underground services.
Are steel sheet pile walls watertight?
The interlocks between the piles resist the passage of groundwater, which is why sheet piles are widely used for cofferdams and excavations below the water table.
Can sheet piles be removed after construction?
Yes. When they are used as temporary shoring, the piles are usually extracted once the permanent structure is complete and can then be reused.
Which method is right for my site?
It depends on how close the work is to existing structures, the ground conditions and any noise limits. We assess the site and recommend vibro or silent installation.