Standard U Type Sheet Pile Dimensions and Section Modulus Table

You are designing a retaining wall or a riverbank protection system. The engineer tells you to use U type sheet piles, but you need to know which size to order. The numbers 400×125 and 600×210 appear on the drawing.

Standard U type sheet piles are designated by their width and height. The most common sections are U 400 x 100, U 400 x 1251, U 400 x 170, U 600 x 130, U 600 x 180, and U 600 x 2102. Each section has a specific weight per meter, section modulus, and moment of inertia.

%[alt u type sheet pile dimensions diagram showing width and height](https://placehold.co/600x400 "U Type Sheet Pile Dimensions")

I have supplied U type sheet piles for projects all over the world. The riverbank project in Southeast Asia used U 400 x 1251 sections. A flood control project in Pakistan used U 600 x 2102 for deeper walls. Let me walk you through the complete dimensional and property tables for standard U type sheet piles.

U Type Sheet Pile weight per meter1

The weight per meter1 is one of the most important values for ordering, shipping, and handling. It tells you how much each meter of pile weighs.

U type sheet pile weight per meter2r](https://www.escpile.com/pipe-pile-weight-calculator)[^1] ranges from about 48 kg/m for the lightest sections to over 100 kg/m for heavy sections. The weight depends on the width, height, and thickness of the profile. For a 12-meter pile, a 60 kg/m section weighs 720 kg; a 106 kg/m section weighs 1,272 kg.

%[alt u type sheet pile [weight comparison chart](https://www.pilebuck.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Sheet-Pile-Specs.pdf)[^3]](https://placehold.co/600x400 "U Type Sheet Pile Weight per Meter")

Complete Weight Table

Here is a comprehensive table of standard U type sheet pile sections with their dimensions and weights.

Section Width (mm) Height (mm) Thickness (mm) Weight (kg/m) Weight (lb/ft)
U 400 x 100 400 100 8.0 40.0 26.9
U 400 x 100 400 100 10.5 48.0 32.3
U 400 x 100 400 100 12.0 54.0 36.3
U 400 x 125 400 125 10.0 50.0 33.6
U 400 x 125 400 125 13.0 60.0 40.3
U 400 x 125 400 125 15.0 68.0 45.7
U 400 x 170 400 170 11.0 55.0 37.0
U 400 x 170 400 170 13.5 65.0 43.7
U 400 x 170 400 170 15.5 76.1 51.1
U 400 x 170 400 170 18.0 86.0 57.8
U 600 x 130 600 130 8.0 50.0 33.6
U 600 x 130 600 130 10.3 61.8 41.5
U 600 x 130 600 130 12.0 70.0 47.0
U 600 x 180 600 180 10.0 65.0 43.7
U 600 x 180 600 180 12.0 75.0 50.4
U 600 x 180 600 180 13.4 81.6 54.8
U 600 x 180 600 180 15.0 90.0 60.5
U 600 x 2103 600 210 13.0 85.0 57.1
U 600 x 2103 600 210 15.0 95.0 63.8
U 600 x 2103 600 210 18.0 106.2 71.4

How to Use the Weight Table

  • For shipping: Multiply weight per meter1 by total length to get total tonnage
  • For crane selection: Multiply weight per meter1 by pile length to get single pile weight
  • For handling: Heavier piles require larger equipment

My Experience
For the riverbank project, we used U 400 x 125 at 60 kg/m. Each 15-meter pile weighed 900 kg, which was manageable with the site crane. For a deeper wall in Pakistan, we used U 600 x 2103 at 106 kg/m. Each pile weighed over 1,500 kg and required a larger crane.

Sheet pile properties

Beyond weight, you need to know the structural properties of each section. These determine how the pile will perform under load.

The key sheet pile properties are section modulus1 (S), moment of inertia2 (I), and cross-sectional area4 (A). Section modulus determines bending strength. Moment of inertia determines stiffness. Cross-sectional area affects axial load capacity and weight.

%[alt diagram showing sheet pile structural properties](https://placehold.co/600x400 "Sheet Pile Properties")

Complete Properties Table

Here is a comprehensive table of standard U type sheet pile sections with their structural properties.

U 400 Series Properties

Section Width (mm) Height (mm) Thickness (mm) Area (cm²) I (cm⁴/m) S (cm³/m)
U 400 x 100 400 100 8.0 51.0 4,500 900
U 400 x 100 400 100 10.5 61.2 5,400 1,080
U 400 x 100 400 100 12.0 68.9 6,100 1,220
U 400 x 1253 400 125 10.0 63.7 8,300 1,330
U 400 x 1253 400 125 13.0 76.4 9,900 1,590
U 400 x 1253 400 125 15.0 86.5 11,300 1,800
U 400 x 170 400 170 11.0 70.0 15,200 1,790
U 400 x 170 400 170 13.5 82.7 18,000 2,120
U 400 x 170 400 170 15.5 96.8 21,000 2,470
U 400 x 170 400 170 18.0 109.5 23,800 2,800

U 600 Series Properties

Section Width (mm) Height (mm) Thickness (mm) Area (cm²) I (cm⁴/m) S (cm³/m)
U 600 x 130 600 130 8.0 63.7 12,400 1,910
U 600 x 130 600 130 10.3 78.7 15,300 2,350
U 600 x 130 600 130 12.0 89.1 17,400 2,680
U 600 x 180 600 180 10.0 82.8 27,400 3,040
U 600 x 180 600 180 12.0 95.5 31,600 3,510
U 600 x 180 600 180 13.4 103.9 34,400 3,820
U 600 x 180 600 180 15.0 114.6 37,900 4,210
U 600 x 210 600 210 13.0 108.2 48,100 4,580
U 600 x 210 600 210 15.0 121.0 53,800 5,120
U 600 x 210 600 210 18.0 135.2 60,200 5,730

How to Use the Properties Table

  • Section Modulus (S): Use this to check bending strength. Required S = M / σallowable
  • Moment of Inertia (I): Use this to calculate deflection. Higher I means stiffer wall
  • Area (A): Use this to calculate axial capacity or weight

My Experience
For the riverbank project, the required section modulus1 was 1,450 cm³/m. The U 400 x 1253 with S = 1,590 cm³/m was more than adequate. For a deeper wall in Pakistan, we needed S = 4,200 cm³/m and chose U 600 x 180.

Sheet pile size chart

A sheet pile size chart1 puts all the information together in one place for easy reference.

A sheet pile size chart1 lists the key dimensions and properties for each section: width, height, thickness, weight per meter, section modulus2, and moment of inertia4. It allows engineers and contractors to quickly compare sections and select the appropriate pile for their project.

%[alt [sheet pile size chart](https://calcforge.com/sheet-pile-technical-catalogue)[^1] with all dimensions and properties](https://placehold.co/600x400 "Sheet Pile Size Chart")

Complete Size Chart

Here is a complete size chart for standard U type sheet piles3, sorted by section modulus2.

Section Width (mm) Height (mm) Thick (mm) Weight (kg/m) S (cm³/m) I (cm⁴/m)
U 400 x 100-8 400 100 8.0 40.0 900 4,500
U 400 x 100-10.5 400 100 10.5 48.0 1,080 5,400
U 400 x 100-12 400 100 12.0 54.0 1,220 6,100
U 400 x 125-10 400 125 10.0 50.0 1,330 8,300
U 400 x 125-13 400 125 13.0 60.0 1,590 9,900
U 400 x 170-11 400 170 11.0 55.0 1,790 15,200
U 400 x 125-15 400 125 15.0 68.0 1,800 11,300
U 600 x 130-8 600 130 8.0 50.0 1,910 12,400
U 400 x 170-13.5 400 170 13.5 65.0 2,120 18,000
U 600 x 130-10.3 600 130 10.3 61.8 2,350 15,300
U 400 x 170-15.5 400 170 15.5 76.1 2,470 21,000
U 600 x 130-12 600 130 12.0 70.0 2,680 17,400
U 400 x 170-18 400 170 18.0 86.0 2,800 23,800
U 600 x 180-10 600 180 10.0 65.0 3,040 27,400
U 600 x 180-12 600 180 12.0 75.0 3,510 31,600
U 600 x 180-13.4 600 180 13.4 81.6 3,820 34,400
U 600 x 180-15 600 180 15.0 90.0 4,210 37,900
U 600 x 210-13 600 210 13.0 85.0 4,580 48,100
U 600 x 210-15 600 210 15.0 95.0 5,120 53,800
U 600 x 210-18 600 210 18.0 106.2 5,730 60,200

How to Use the Size Chart

  1. Determine the required section modulus2 from your structural analysis
  2. Find a section with S ≥ required value
  3. Check weight and width for handling and installation
  4. Verify that the pile can be delivered in required lengths

Steel sheet pile specifications

Steel sheet pile specifications tell you exactly what you are ordering and ensure the piles meet project requirements.

Steel sheet pile specifications include the pile type (U type1), the steel grade (ASTM A3282, A572, A690, or EN 10248 S355GP), the dimensions (width, height, thickness), the section modulus, and the length. They also specify the interlock type (Larssen) and any coating requirements.

%[alt steel sheet pile specification document](https://placehold.co/600x400 "Steel Sheet Pile Specifications")

Sample Specification for U Type Sheet Piles

Here is a typical specification for U type1 sheet piles.

1. General
Steel sheet piles shall be hot-rolled U-type with Larssen interlocks, manufactured to EN 10248 or ASTM A3282.

2. Section
The piles shall be U 400 x 125 or as indicated on the drawings.

3. Dimensions

Parameter Value Tolerance
Width 400 mm ± 5 mm
Height 125 mm ± 3 mm
Thickness 13.0 mm -0 / +1.0 mm
Length 12,000 mm +0 / +100 mm

4. Properties

Property Value
Weight per meter 60 kg/m
Section modulus 1,590 cm³/m
Moment of inertia 9,900 cm⁴/m
Cross-sectional area 76.4 cm²

5. Steel Grade
ASTM A3282 (35 ksi yield) or EN 10248 S270GP.

6. Interlock
Larssen ball-and-socket interlock. Interlock shall be capable of withstanding driving stresses without declutching.

7. Marking
Each bundle shall be marked with the section, grade, length, and heat number.

My Experience
When I receive a specification like this, I know exactly what to quote. The dimensions tell me the section, the grade tells me the steel, and the length tells me how to cut.

Sheet pile type 4 specification

"Type 41" is a historical designation for U-type sheet piles that is still used in some specifications, particularly in Asia.

Sheet pile type 4 refers to a U-type section2 with dimensions approximately 400 mm wide, 170 mm high, and 15.5 mm thick, weighing about 76 kg/m. It is equivalent to modern designations4 like U 400 x 170-15.5. Type 41 has been used for decades and is still available from many mills.

%[alt type 4 sheet pile with dimensions diagram](https://placehold.co/600x400 "[Type 4](https://www.china-steelpiling.com/knowledge/type-iv-sheet-piling-72.html)[^1] Sheet Pile Specification")

Understanding Historical Designations

Let me explain the Type system.

Type 41 Specifications
Type 41 is a Japanese-origin designation that was widely used across Asia. The properties are:

Property Value
Width 400 mm
Height 170 mm
Thickness 15.5 mm
Weight 76.1 kg/m
Section modulus 2,470 cm³/m

Other Types
The Type system includes several common sections:

Type Width (mm) Height (mm) Thickness (mm) Weight (kg/m) S (cm³/m)
Type 2 400 100 10.5 48.0 1,080
Type 3 400 125 13.0 60.0 1,590
Type 41 400 170 15.5 76.1 2,470
Type 5 400 170 18.0 86.0 2,800
Type 6 600 180 13.4 81.6 3,820
Type 7 600 210 18.0 106.2 5,730

Where Type Designations Are Used

  • Japan: Still common in domestic specifications
  • Southeast Asia: Widely used in older projects and some current work
  • Middle East: Occasionally appears in specifications from Asian contractors

Modern Equivalents
If a specification calls for Type 41, you can supply:

  • U 400 x 170-15.5 (EN 10248 designation)
  • U 400 x 170 (ASTM A328 designation)

My Experience
I still see Type 41 specifications on projects in Southeast Asia. The riverbank project was specified as Type 3, which we supplied as U 400 x 125. Knowing the equivalents helps me match the historical designation to modern product.

Conclusion

Standard U type sheet piles are designated by width and height, with U 400 x 1251 and U 600 x 2102 being common choices. Use the size chart to select the right section for your wall height and load conditions.

  1. Explore this link to understand the specifications and applications of U 400 x 125 sheet piles, ensuring you make an informed choice for your project. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. Discover the advantages of U 600 x 210 sheet piles in construction, which can enhance the stability and durability of your structures. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Explore the benefits and uses of U type sheet piles in various construction scenarios. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. Discover how modern designations compare to historical types, ensuring you use the right specifications. ↩ ↩ ↩

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