Important Notice
No two pile walls are the same. The numerous job site variables make it impossible to provide specific construction designs without careful analysis of each variable and the effect it will have on the structure. This analysis should be left up to an architect, professional contractor, or engineer.
Please rely on your engineer for specific design recommendations. Because of the complexity of geotechnical loading calculations and the susceptibility to extreme change of soil loads with minor changes in local site conditions such as soil parameters, water levels, surcharge loads, etc., we strongly recommend the use of design professionals who are familiar with local wall construction to determine the required wall parameters, design techniques, and applicable installation methods and procedures.
Documents/ProLock Properties.pdf
Documents/MultiLock Properties.pdf
In most designs involving sheet piling the two main properties bending moment and section modulus are often considered as the most important. Section modulus relates to the geometric shape and is not influenced by material properties. The bending moment provides an measure of what loading the installed wall can support, and is a factor of the material properties and section properties.
Rather that simply produce heavier more expensive sections to increase these properties Profextru chose to combine the clear advantages of light gauge plastic piling with that of steel or timber. The steel or timber is driven internally and so it is not only within the existing pile footprint, but is is protected from the elements. As mentioned on the previous page, it is important to consider the required life of the retaining structure, if reliant upon the combined bending moment. Ultimately any timber above ground level will rot and any steel rust. Steel tubes can be used that provide the minimum life by variation of wall thickness to allow for this deterioation. Likewise the life of the timber can be increased through capping with plastic or being treated.
The effect on the bending moment and section modulus is substantial, enabling these piles to compete with much larger, heavier, more expensive profiles.
Not only can these two sheets offer between then 6 different bending moments, reducing the price of installation through using these lighter sections; but also when used within a retaining wall application, the pile length that needs to be driven can be dramatically reduced.
In all sheet piling applications the amount of sheet visible after installation is only a small fraction between 1/3 rd - 1/2 th. The majority of the pile is therefore driven into the ground to support the "screen" part that only has soil to one side. ProLock and MultiLock when used with timber or steel piles is different, this piled wall gets a high percentage of its bending strength from the timber ir steel. Therefore in an application requiring 1.5m of bank to be retained this system would simply use a 2 metre sheet with a 3-4.5 metre timber or tubular pile. The closest analogy is that this system represents a rigid solid form of Nicospan or similar geotexile bank support.
The above representation shows a comparison between the Europile and MultiLock notice the far short length of pile used within the equivalent solution.
APE reserve the right to change the without notice part of or all the information in this specification.
Terms and Conditions:
As piles are sold as supply only, APE does not accept liability for any incorrect installation of the product. The Customer is responsible for ensuring suitability of the ground conditions and application loads for the plastic piling. In the event of a warranty claim, APE’s liability is limited to the value of the piles as supply only. All prices are valid for 30 days from the above date, 50% deposit required with order, the balance is payable prior to delivery.
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