When constructing marine structures like seawalls and waterfronts, the concern has always been on the best materials. Firstly, seawalls and waterfronts are constructed to control or prevent floods and similar water hazards. Hence, the materials to be used in constructing these structures should have high retaining strength. Over the years, different materials have been used in constructing these structures, namely wood, concrete, and steel. The concern with these materials are: Wood offers the strength needed, but it is not resistant to biological factors and rots over time. Steel offers high retaining strength but requires regular maintenance as it is prone to rust. Concrete looked like the perfect material, but the issue of regular maintenance to prevent cracks. Because when cracks occur, they expose the steel rods embedded in the concrete and these rods corrode. In the early 80s, many discovered a new material; vinyl sheet piles. These materials are also called plastic or PVC sheet piles made from a unique plastic type comprising chlorine from common salt and ethylene from crude oil. These materials gained recognition in the mid-80s and have been considered one of the best materials for constructing seawalls and waterfronts. This article highlights why vinyl or PVC sheet piles are considered the best materials for seawalls and waterfronts. Reasons Vinyl Sheet Piles are the Best Materials for Seawalls and Waterfronts Of course, before you can conclude that an idea, material, or design is the most suitable, there must be evidence of facts that prove your claim. The evidence to support the claim that vinyl sheet piles are the best materials for Seawalls and Waterfronts are: High resistance: Resistance to tension is not the only quality needed by a material used in constructing Seawalls and Waterfronts. The material used should also offer some resistance to atmospheric pressure, ultraviolet rays, biological factors, and corrosion. The issue with other sheet piles is that their performance level decreases when subject to these elements. However, with vinyl sheet piles, their performance remains the same for extended periods; thus, most construction companies specializing in installing them offer a warranty for as much as [...]
Read more