Advances in Marine Piling Techniques and New Age Piling Materials-Paper

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The paper reviews advances in marine piling, focusing on quieter installation methods and durable materials for coastal structures.<br /><br />Press-in piling technology installs steel sheet and tubular piles by using previously installed piles as a reaction force. Unlike conventional impact or vibratory methods, it can greatly reduce noise and vibration, limit disturbance to marine habitats and nearby communities, and operate in restricted-access locations with less need for temporary platforms or barges. Predrilling and jetting can assist in difficult ground conditions.<br /><br />The paper also compares cold-formed and hot-rolled steel sheet piles. Cold-formed piles offer a wide range of profiles but may be more vulnerable to cracking at tightly bent corners and can have looser interlocks. Hot-rolled piles have more uniform mechanical properties and can achieve tighter, more watertight shapes. Specialized steel grades can improve corrosion resistance: AMLoCor, in particular, reduces corrosion in low-water and submerged zones, potentially lowering the need for coatings or extra steel thickness.<br /><br />Non-ferrous options, including vinyl and fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) piles, offer resistance to marine corrosion and long service lives. An FRP groyne project at Foreshore Beach in New South Wales illustrates their use in erosion control while limiting environmental impacts.<br /><br />Overall, the paper presents press-in installation and newer steel and polymer materials as ways to reduce construction impacts, improve durability, and manage costs in marine piling projects.

Keywords

marine piling

press-in piling

quieter installation

steel sheet piles

tubular piles

cold-formed steel

hot-rolled steel

AMLoCor

FRP piles

corrosion resistance