Fiberglass Sheet Piling

Introduction

Sheet piling is a vital technique in civil engineering for constructing retaining walls, seawalls, and flood barriers. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and fiberglass (fiber-reinforced polymer, FRP) sheet piles are popular due to their corrosion resistance and suitability for marine environments. This article examines their differences to guide material selection.

Material Composition

PVC Sheet Piling

• Composition: Thermoplastic polymer, often with UV stabilizers.
• Properties: Corrosion-resistant, lightweight (1.4 g/cm³), limited tensile strength (40 MPa).
• Production: Extruded, sometimes co-extruded with recycled cores.

Fiberglass Sheet Piling

• Composition: Fiberglass reinforcements in a polymer resin matrix.
• Properties: High tensile strength (200+ MPa), lightweight (1.8 g/cm³), durable (75+ years).
• Production: Pultruded for high strength.

Mechanical Performance

PVC: Suitable for low to moderate loads (up to 6m walls), with a low modulus of elasticity (2.8 GPa), leading to deflection under heavy loads.

Fiberglass: Supports taller structures (up to 18m), with a higher modulus (20+ GPa), ideal for high lateral forces.

Installation

PVC: Lightweight, installed with excavators or vibro-hammers. May need mandrels in hard soils.

Fiberglass: Requires precise alignment due to rigidity but handles denser soils without mandrels.

Environmental Impact

PVC: Recyclable, but production may release dioxins. Inert once installed.

Fiberglass: Chemically inert, energy-intensive production, less recyclable.

Applications

• PVC: Small seawalls, riverbank protection, cost-driven projects.
• Fiberglass: Tall retaining walls, marine bulkheads, high-corrosion environments.

Conclusion

PVC sheet piling is affordable and easy to install for smaller projects, while fiberglass offers superior strength for demanding applications. Project requirements, such as load, environment, and budget, should dictate material choice.