The Evolution of Steel Piling Products Over the Last 50 Years

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Abstract: We propose to use the opportunity of DFI50 to look at how steel sheet piling has changed and improved over the last 50 years.

We will start by highlighting the significant evolution in steelmaking methods. The traditional blast furnace production route – once the only way to make steel – has largely given way to more modern and environmentally friendly methods such as direct reduction of iron and the electric arc furnace, using recycled scrap metal as a raw material. These methods have revolutionized the production of steel construction products, including sheet piles, and have made production more flexible, reducing its carbon footprint without sacrificing product quality.

We will then look at how sheet piles themselves have evolved. The last 50 years have seen some significant changes to sheet pile sizes, dimensions, and interlock geometry, providing the industry access to ever more efficient products with improved reliability and strength. In parallel, the development of new solutions (like watertightness) allowed increased tailoring to specific applications and new use cases. Combined wall systems (based on H-beam or tubular king piles) were developed, paving the way for ever deeper excavations, port drafts and the most challenging retaining structures required by today’ s infrastructure projects.

Finally, we will be looking at the evolution of steel grades. The last 50 years have seen a clear move to higher yield-strength steels, needed to meet the increased bending moments associated with deeper retaining structures. We have also seen the development and adoption of new ASTM standards for grades with improved resistance against (atmospheric and marine) corrosion.

In conclusion, the world of steel piling products has seen significant disruption and evolution over the last 50 years, which has given rise to safer, more efficient, and stronger solutions to meet the requirements of today’ s high demands on retaining structures.

Dr. Pierre Werner; Mr. Dean Abbondanza

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