Straight web sheet piles are hot rolled steel sections designed to form closed cylindrical or cellular structures, widely used in cofferdams, piers, ports, and large-scale marine works. Their structural stability is achieved through the combined action of steel sheet pile walls and the enclosed soil mass.
Structural System & Design Principle
Straight web sheet piles are used to construct circular cells or diaphragm wall systems depending on project requirements. Structural stability is achieved through the combined effect of the steel sheet pile enclosure and the confined soil mass inside the cell.
Unlike conventional sheet piles, this system relies on circumferential tension (hoop stress) rather than bending resistance.
Mechanical Behavior
The forces acting in straight web sheet pile structures are mainly horizontal tensile forces. These forces are transferred through interlocks, which are specifically designed to resist declutching under high tension conditions.
Rotation & Geometric Adaptability
Straight web sheet piles can rotate up to 4.5° per interlock, and up to 12° with special forming. This allows the construction of circular or curved retaining structures with different diameters based on project requirements.
Technical Parameter Table
Below are typical specifications of straight web sheet piles (GS Series). Full range and customization are available upon request.
| Section | Width (mm) | Thickness (mm) | Perimeter (cm) | Area (cm²) | Weight (kg/m) | Section Modulus (cm³) | Inertia (cm⁴) |
|---|
| GS 500-9.5 | 500 | 9.5 | 138 | 81.3 | 63.8 | 128 | 178 |
| GS 500-11.0 | 500 | 11.0 | 139 | 89.4 | 70.2 | 140 | 196 |
| GS 500-12.0 | 500 | 12.0 | 139 | 94.6 | 74.3 | 149 | 206 |
| GS 500-12.5 | 500 | 12.5 | 139 | 97.2 | 76.3 | 153 | 211 |
| GS 500-12.7 | 500 | 12.7 | 139 | 98.2 | 77.1 | 154 | 214 |
| GS 500-13.0 | 500 | 13.0 | 140 | 100.6 | 79.0 | 158 | 223
|
Structural Advantages
The large diameter of cellular structures and the confined soil mass provide excellent global stability. The system efficiently resists lateral earth pressure and water pressure without the need for anchors.
Technical Characteristics
Hot rolled manufacturing ensures high interlock precision and strength. The interlocks are designed for high tensile resistance and reliable engagement under load, improving watertightness and durability.
Design Considerations
When designing straight web sheet pile systems, engineers must consider:
- Cell diameter and geometry
- Soil properties and internal friction
- Horizontal tensile forces in interlocks
- Groundwater and hydrostatic pressure
- Construction sequence and filling method
👉 Critical Point：
Interlock strength and soil confinement are key to system performance.
Engineering Conclusion
Straight web sheet piles provide a specialized solution for large-scale retaining systems, where:
- Traditional sheet piles are insufficient
- Anchoring is not feasible
- High stability is required
👉 Widely recognized as a high-end engineering solution for marine and heavy infrastructure projects.
