Temporary Sheet Piling

With over 30 years of experience, Aarsleff provides fully integrated temporary sheet piling solutions, from geotechnical design through to installation and extraction. Our engineers deliver temporary retaining walls, cofferdams, and excavation support systems that are safe, sustainable, and compliant with BS5975 and ISO 9001 standards. Every solution is tailored to site conditions and project requirements, helping contractors achieve efficient, low-impact ground support for works such as sewerage treatment plants, bridge abutments, tunnels, and underground tanks.

In most cases, sheet piling is used as a temporary solution, often employed to provide short-term stability in basement construction projects and pipeline installations. However, there are also situations where sheet piling may be installed as a long-term or even permanent structure.

The decision to use sheet piling as a temporary or permanent solution ultimately depends on the specific requirements of the project and the long-term goals of the structure.

If your project is located on or near water, you may require a cofferdam structure to allow for safe and dry working areas below the water table. Permanent sheet-piled solutions, on the other hand, may be used in flood defences, harbours, access jetties or retaining walls.

Temporary sheet piles can be installed using several techniques, selected based on ground conditions, site access, and environmental sensitivity:

• Vibratory driving – Fast and efficient for granular or loose soils, suitable for open sites.
• Impact driving – Used where dense or cohesive soils require higher driving energy to reach design depth.
• Hydraulic pressing – A vibration-free, low-noise method ideal for urban or sensitive environments near existing infrastructure.

Once the project is completed, the extraction of sheet piles from the ground can be done using a vibratory extractor or other specialised equipment, leaving behind minimal disturbance to the surrounding environment. These temporary steel products can be used again and again in future construction projects.

Temporary sheet piling is typically removed using the following process:

• Inspection – Sheet piles are inspected for stability, ensuring they are safe to remove. Checks include assessing whether damage or wear could compromise the stability or extraction process.
• Exposure – Once deemed safe for removal, soil around the temporary sheet pile wall is excavated to expose pile sections using excavators or backhoes.
• Disconnection – With the piling exposed, the interlocking sections that hold it in place are detached. Specialised tools or equipment may be used to disconnect the sections and then remove them from the ground.
• Extraction – The piles are removed vertically using rigs or other specialist equipment, with close attention paid to nearby structures and utilities, as steel sheet piles can be installed near permanent infrastructure. Any soil or debris that was displaced should be carefully backfilled and compacted, leaving the area in a safe, stable condition.
• Site Restoration – Once piles have been removed and the area is restored, final inspections are conducted to ensure that safety protocols have been followed and the site is ready for the following phase of construction or development.

The process is carried out according to comprehensive temporary works procedures, ensuring safety and compliance on all temporary construction sites.