What is the proper vinyl sheet pile driving method for different soil types?

“Pitch and drive” method is the most practical way of pile driving in loose soils especially when using short piles. Also called “set and drive”, this method installs piles one by one. However, with only one interlock in control, sheet piles have high tendencies of rotating from the axis and leaning forward or backward. Panel driving is recommended for the dense deposit of sands and compact cohesive soils such as heavy clay or in presence of obstructions. In this method, a number of piles are interlocked together before driving. The panel of piles is supported by guide frames and driven gradually in sequence, sometimes in a staggered manner. The method can achieve installations of longer piles in more difficult ground conditions with better results in sheet pile alignment and verticality. In cases of difficult ground conditions such as hard strata and the presence of obstructions, driving assistance is employed along with a proper selection of driving method and equipment. Jetting and drilling help by loosening or eliminating obstructions by creating pressure right under the tip of the sheet pile being driven. Long and slender PVC sheet piles require steel mandrels as supports when driven in such conditions. Mandrel, which shape is similar to sheet pile profiles, increases the rigidity of Plastic Sheet Pile and supports the weight of the driving equipment such as a vibro-hammer.

What is the proper machine to drive piles in different conditions?

Impact driving is suitable for all soil types but appears to create the highest degree of stress to sheet piles. It is more appropriate to cohesive soils and soft soils such as silts and peats, loose medium to coarse sand, and gravels free of rock inclusions. Drop hammers such as the hydraulic hammer are the common types of impact-driving machinery. Driving using vibratory hammers is ideal for non-cohesive or granular soils such as soft soils and round-grained sand or gravel. It has also shown satisfactory performance in sandy, silty, or softer clay soils. It is less effective in angular-grained materials and soils with a firm consistency. With the introduction of vibration, however, the sub-soil can be further compacted, increasing penetration resistance and ultimately-refusal. If this is the case, driving aids like jetting and drilling might be necessary.

What are the pvc sheet pile selection criteria for soil condition of different hardness?

General rule of the thumb: “the harder the soil, the stronger and stiffer sheet pile section should be used”. Driveability of a pile section is a consequence of its cross-sectional properties (thickness, depth, and width), designed shape, length, grade, and the applied load. Hardness of soil strata characterized by SPT or CPT values is used to predict soil resistance which is essential in the calculation of driving force to be applied. Knowing the range of force from the selected driving machine, corresponding sheet pile sections can be picked according to their yield strength and elastic modulus.

How should I choose a sheet pile section for soils with, say, SPT Value, N=30? Can I still consider using vinyl or shift to steel?

Every sheet pile material has a design purpose, strengths, and areas of improvement. The availability of different materials denotes the need for a special material for a specific application. Plastic or synthetic sheet piles for example are known for being light and corrosion-resistant; Steel sheet piles are recognized for their extraordinary strength and versatility; and so on.

ESC Trench Boxes Powers Ahead with New Salisbury Facility

ESC Steel LLC
Dec 14, 2025
1 min read

ESC Trench Boxes proudly announces the opening of its new manufacturing facility in Salisbury, North Carolina, marking a major milestone in the company’s U.S. growth strategy.

Salisbury, NC – ESC Trench Shoring Inc., now recognized across the United States as a leading provider of trench safety solutions, proudly announces the opening of its new Aluminum Manufacturing Facility in Salisbury, North Carolina. The fully operational facility marks a major milestone in the company’s ongoing growth and commitment to safety.

The new facility enhances ESC’s ability to deliver high-quality Aluminum Shoring systems faster and more efficiently, strengthening its position as a trusted partner for contractors and construction teams nationwide.

"Worker safety has always been at the heart of everything we do," said Bruce Colson, President at ESC Trench Shoring Inc. "This expansion allows us to better serve our customers while ensuring that every product we manufacture continues to meet the highest standards of safety and reliability.

ESC Trench Shoring offers a comprehensive range of solutions, including Steel Shoring, Aluminum Shoring, Stone Bedding Boxes, and other specialized equipment. Each product is engineered to meet strict compliance standards and designed to keep crews safe on the job site.

The Salisbury facility represents ESC’s ongoing investment in manufacturing excellence, customer service, and worker protection, reinforcing its mission to build safety, strength, and trust into every project.

With a focus on engineering excellence and customer satisfaction, ESC continues to expand its footprint and capabilities to meet the evolving safety needs of the construction sector.