Construction & Engineering Blog | The PSA Group

Every piece of equipment and material has a specific method for use. Failure to use them how they were specified will result in damages and increased cost of the procedure and the time needed to complete it. Construction is one of the many procedures that demand following specified instructions concerning the equipment and materials used. One construction material of interest is the sheet piles which are used on structures to reinforce or retain soil. This material is of three types, namely steel, concrete, and vinyl sheet piles. Concrete piles are constructed on-site, while steel and vinyl sheet piles are installed. The method used in installing sheet piles is called the driving method. However, there are specific tips to note to prevent damaging the sheet piles during sheet pile installation, and this article will highlight them. Driving Tips for Installing Sheet Piles The specific driving tips to note when installing sheet piles include: Check soil conditions: The data that explains the soil’s conditions are derived through soil testing. This tests different aspects and properties of the soil. Before installation, short piles or drilling are required for soils with a rugged profile. Selecting the Vibro-head to use during installation: Specific factors must be considered when choosing the Vibro-head to install sheet piles. Some of these factors include the crane’s size and the weight of the Vibro-head in comparison with the sheet pile’s weight (the head should be heavy enough to produce the needed driving force for driving the sheet piles without causing any damage to it), and the head’s radius. Inspect the sheet piles: When working with sheet piles, you want sheet piles that are in excellent condition; thus, inspect the sheet piles for cracks, crumbs, or sweeps. Also, ensure the piles are clear of soil, gravel, and debris. Check the pile’s clutch: Sheet piles are in excellent condition when they feature a bolt tack welded over the sheet’s clutch opening. This keeps the piles clean when threading the next pile to be installed. Use panel templates: There are specific templates that outline the system and method to use when driving sheet [...]Read more

Many things and procedures are involved in construction. These procedures help determine the level of excellence achieved during construction. One of these many procedures is soil testing. Soil testing is a procedure that is done before construction to determine soil attributes. In other words, soil testing gives you an idea of what to expect during construction while proffering a solution to tackle the problems expected during construction. To further emphasize how essential soil testing is before construction, this article will highlight the importance of this process before construction. Please ensure to read till the end for the many eye-opening information you will discover. Essence of Soil Testing Before Construction The importance of soil testing before construction is best explained by the reasons for soil testing in construction. These benefits are: Saving costs: As mentioned earlier, soil testing gives you an idea of the challenges to expect during construction and proffers a solution to those challenges. This alone saves you costs because you can spend more on a construction project without soil testing. Decipher the soil’s bearing capacity: The bearing capacity is the load the soil can accommodate. Soil testing prevents the construction of a structure that is too heavy for the soil to accommodate, thus, avoiding collapse shortly. Determining the soil’s physical and chemical composition: Some soils are acidic, sulfuric, or neutral. Soil testing helps determine this chemical composition to determine the kind of building equipment to use during construction. Soil Testing also gives you an idea of the soil’s strength and more physical compositions. Geotechnical investigations help decipher how the soil responds to geological factors like climate change and other natural occurrences. It also gives an idea of how resistant the soil is to land movements, avalanches, earthquakes, etc. These crucial factors inform you of the measures to reinforce the soil. Determine the soil’s settlement behavior: We know that soil particles oscillate, and the frequency at which the particles oscillate can increase when influenced by specific factors like construction activities. Soil testing gives you an idea of how the soil particles behave, so you will know the construction methods [...]Read more

Every project demands planning, and construction projects are no exemption. Proper planning helps minimize the risks of errors occurring while increasing the chances of obtaining excellent results. There are three stages in any construction project, namely the preconstruction stage, the construction stage, and the post-construction stage. The preconstruction stage features the planning and several other measures taken concerning the construction. The construction stage Involves the actual building of the project, and the post-construction stage is the project in its finished state. One measure employed in the preconstruction stage is soil testing. This article will highlight what soil testing is,  the different forms of soil testing, and the reasons for soil testing. Read on to discover more. What is Soil Testing? This procedure is done to obtain specific information about the soil’s properties before construction. Some of the information obtained includes: The soil’s bearing capacity highlights the maximum and minimum load the soil can accommodate. The Soil’s chemical properties: The Soil can contain chemical properties that react with some building resources; thus, soil testing helps determine these chemical properties. The water table level: It helps determine the depth of the water table and the moisture content present in the soil. The Soil’s particles behavior: Soil’s particles constantly oscillate, but the rate at which they oscillate increases when influenced by specific factors. Soil Testing helps determine the behavioral change of these Soil particles. Forms of Soil Testing for Construction Projects There are various forms of soil testing for construction projects, and these are some forms of soil testing: Gravity test: Gives an estimate of the value of soil gravity. This value depends on the soil’s grain size because different soils have different grain sizes. Moisture test: Gives an idea of the soil’s sturdiness when exposed to moisture. The test checks the sturdiness at different moisture levels contained in the soil. Dry density tests: The soil is collected in a dehydrated form to determine its weight and density. Proctor’s compaction test: This gives how well the soil can withstand pressure. Attenbergs limit tests: This helps determine the soil’s shrinkage limit and the behavioral [...]Read more

We know that different procedures and materials are used to construct the advanced and sophisticated structures we see today. It is also possible that similar procedures and materials are used in constructing simple structures. The materials and procedures used to construct simple or sophisticated structures share some unique properties that make them practical for such construction purposes. One of those construction materials is the sheet pile. This article will highlight the different types of sheet piles and their uses. Sheet piles are construction materials that provide reinforcement, stability, and strength in construction projects. It exists in different types; namely: Concrete sheet piles: As the name implies, these are made from concrete and are either pre-casted or cast on construction sites. Steel sheet piles: These sheet piles are made from steel and are one of the most used types of sheet piles. Vinyl sheet piles: These are also called PVC sheet piles; they are made from a unique plastic consisting of chlorine from common salt and ethylene from crude oil. Uses of Sheet Piles The uses of sheet piles are classified into two, and they are: Permanent use: These involve permanently installing sheet piles on the site. Part of the properties of sheet piles is high retaining strength; thus, they can be installed permanently on sites to reinforce a structure. The sheet piles used for permanent construction purposes are concrete and steel sheet piles. Vinyl sheet piles can be used for permanent construction purposes but provided the structure will not be bearing large loads. Temporary use: This involves using sheet piles to uphold a structure temporarily. The sheet piles are later removed once the structure has the strength to stand on its own. The sheet piles used for this purpose are steel and vinyl sheet piles. Application of Sheet Piles There are specific construction projects where sheet piles are employed. These applications include: In retaining walls: Sheet Piles can retain soil structures and water due to their high retaining strength; thus, it is used when retaining walls (temporary use) or retaining structures (permanent use). Its use when constructing retaining walls helps [...]Read more

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

Sheet piles are construction materials that give construction projects some degree of sturdiness and strength. Today, we see many sophisticated and eye-catching projects constructed in areas where construction should be near impossible. Some projects like bridges, dams, floodwalls, and more are being constructed with ease because the builders incorporate sheet piles. However, it is best to note that sheet piles have different types and designs. The variation is because of the different materials of sheet piles. Each sheet pile design is used while considering the properties of the material it is made from. The two most in-use types of sheet piles are the steel sheet piles and vinyl/PVC sheet piles. This article highlights the difference and similarities between these two sheet piles, including how and where they are used. Similarities Between Steel and Vinyl Sheet Piles The similarity is both can be installed in a “U” or Zigzag manner:  When we look at the design of all sheet piles, they are designed to be installed and attached through jointing. The jointing type depends on the structure being constructed or the structure’s design. Hence, steel and vinyl sheet piles can be installed and jointed in any shape for construction. In general, they offer a flexible installation design. Difference Between Steel and Vinyl Sheet Piles There are many differences between steel and vinyl sheet piles, and these differences are: The material used in making them. Steel sheet piles are made from hard steel, while vinyl sheet piles are made from a unique plastic-type comprising chlorine from common salt and ethylene from crude oil. Steel sheet piles offer more resistance than vinyl sheet piles. Since they are made from hard steel, they have high tensile strength and retaining power that permits them to be used in hard soils and load-bearing structures. Their tensile strength makes installation easy with no concern for their design as it remains intact. In contrast, vinyl sheet piles do not have the same tensile strength and retaining power as steel sheet piles; thus, You should not use them in hard soils or for load-bearing construction. They are best suited [...]Read more

There are a lot of materials we often use at construction sites that do not get as much recognition as they deserve. This is often because they appear to be insignificant or because contractors and site workers focus on the bigger and more obvious materials or equipment. The truth, however, is careful considerations will reveal to you just how essential these materials we neglect are to our construction work. For instance, sheet pile connectors play a crucial role in keeping construction support systems strong and durable, especially when working on a building intended to hold a massive amount of load. Sheet piles are designed to interlock in a sequence during installation. This is so that it can form a wall that will support your structure. Indeed, sheet pile connectors play a crucial role in all of these. This article will study the role of sheet pile connectors in providing construction support. We will also teach you the top essential things about the connectors. Read on for more information. How do Sheet Pile Connectors Work? For a long time now, sheet piles have been widely used in construction sites across the globe. They are often used for projects like the construction of locks and breakwaters, reinforcement of rivers and canals banks, quays, etc. They have grown in popularity as one of the most used construction materials in the industry. But then, many people do not yet know how they function. Even though they can be produced with various materials, sheet pile connectors are mostly made with steel, and they are primarily made to function as walls that will protect a structure from collapse. They can also be made from vinyl and wood. However, steel remains the best material for making them. Different Types of Sheet Pile Connectors Here are some types of the sheet pile connectors you can get today: Extruded connectors: These connectors are often made in one piece, and they come with fewer corrosion risks. They are often lighter than fabricated connectors and can be manufactured for both z-section and flat piles. Extended connectors also offer various features and [...]Read more

Vinyl sheet piles are made from special plastics composed of ethylene from crude oil and chlorine from common salt. Sometimes considered the best material for constructing marine structures, this sheet pile is unique and distinct from other sheet pile types. This is true, especially since sheet piles are used to reinforce or strengthen structures and retainer walls. This explains the curiosity surrounding vinyl sheet piles as it is made from plastic. You may also be wondering how a plastic material is used to reinforce sophisticated structures. Well, you are not alone in these thoughts. This article highlights the frequently asked questions about vinyl sheet piles and their answers. Please ensure to read to the end for more interesting information. Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on Vinyl Sheet Piles Q1: What are the proper driving methods for vinyl sheet piles? The driving method employed when driving vinyl sheet piles depends on the soil type, and they are classified into three, namely: Pitch and Drive Method: Also known as set and drive, it is the most practical method of installing sheet piles in loose soils. When pile driving, piles one interlock at a time on the account that installed piles tend to rotate from their axis, either leaning forward or backward. Panel driving: This method is best suited for dense and compact cohesive soil. It incorporates guide frames when installing piles because the vibration generated from pile driving can cause the soil to become more compact. The sheet piles are interlocked to form a panel before driving them into the soil. Jetting and drilling are employed for hardened soil types with obstructions in them as they help loosen the soil for the effective installation of sheet piles. Q2: What is the proper machine for driving piles based on varying soil conditions? The choice of driving machine considers the machine’s effect on the sheet piles. You want to ensure that the piles are installed without incurring any damage to them. Some it the machines are: Drop hammers are best for installing in soft and cohesive soil types. The method of installing when using [...]Read more

Today, we look at many structures and marvel at the level of work and creativity used in bringing them to reality. Indeed, these buildings show the professionalism of the contractors, but it barely tells the whole story. The result of some efforts are not very visible but carry equal importance, and one of such tasks is soil testing.

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Many variables are considered in constructing quality structures. However, the well-known variables that most building owners concentrate on are the building’s design, size, and appearance. They tend to often overlook the fundamental variable that influences stability and strength. Indeed, this isn’t the best practice, and it could be disastrous.

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