Annex A

(informative)

Handling and storage of sheet piles

A.1 General

Inappropriate handling and inadequate storage of sheet piles, especially of straight web piles are often the cause of problems during installation. Mis-use may also cause damage to precoatings on sheet piles. When installing sheet piles safe access should be provided fo r a site operative to guide the toe of the pile being pitched into the top of the previously installed pile.

The use of threading devices which enable the piles to be interlocked without the assistance of persons on the top level is advised.

A.2 Hoisting

In figure A.1 some examples are given of hoisting and placing nested stacks of sheet piles (single and pairs) at the storage area.

Figures A.2 to A.4 show examples of how to lift sheet piles from a nested stack.

Legend

No interlock protection is required when hoisting is carried out with flat non metalic slings.

When handling with chains or steel cable slings, protectors are used to avoid damage to the interlocks.

Legend

a lifting hook

Legend

a lifting hook

Legend

• a points of support
• b lifting operation
• c fastening in the handling hole

Two hoist lines are needed

A.3 Storage

Figures A.5 and A.6 give examples of how to stack sheet piles at the storage area. If the ground surface of the storage area is not level and firm, the stacks should be supported adequately on timber dunnage or similar devices, in order to minimise sagging.

Legend

a support packing

Legend

• a support packing
• b spacers

A.4 Special devices

Figure A.7 shows an example of the use of a shackle for lifting a sheet pile from a stack. Figure A.8 shows an example of the use of a sheet pile threader for pitching a sheet pile in the interlock of the previously pitched pile at high level when panel driving. This process eliminates the requirement for a man at the top of the panel to pitch the piles.

Legend

• a lifting axially
• b lifting at an angle of 90° to the axis of the sheet pile

Legend

• a threader
• b assembling process