Development of Innovative Interlocks Used in Steel Pipe Sheet Piles Walls for Harbour & Civil Construction

by Eric Leong

Publisher - MER LION METALS PTE LTD, Singapore

Category - Engineering & IT

Interlocking steel pipe walls or Steel Pipe Sheet Piles (SPSP) have been utilized since the late 1990s in large scale projects across Japan as the ideal solution for fast construction of high strength retaining walls and cofferdams. SPSP are accepted as a suitable alternative to existing sheet piling technology or concrete structures as a solution for bridge pier footings or reclamation works. The method in which the piles are interlocked were adapted from existing sections and materials available at the mill producing them, namely P-P, P-T and L-T interlocks. These interlocks have since gained popularity outside of Japan and been implemented in civil and structural projects worldwide. However, interlocks of such nature has not seen much innovation through the last 20 years and many of the issues and disadvantages have not been addressed. This paper serves to discover a new ball and socket interlock called O-Pile, which solves existing problems previously seen on interlocks commonly used. The results from testing of the interlocks and two case studies of recent port projects in the Philippines will also be discussed.

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