Steel Sheet Pile Section Modulus Chart for Structural Design

You have just finished the geotechnical analysis for a retaining wall. The maximum bending moment is on your screen. Now you need to pick a sheet pile section that can handle that moment without bending too much or failing.

The section modulus¹ (S) is the most important number in sheet pile selection². It tells you how much bending moment a wall can resist per meter of length. You calculate the required section modulus¹ by dividing the maximum bending moment by the allowable stress in the steel.

I have used section modulus¹ charts on countless projects. The riverbank project in Southeast Asia required S = 1,450 cm³/m, so we chose U 400 x 125 with S = 1,590 cm³/m. A port project in the Middle East needed S = 2,600 cm³/m, so we selected AZ 26. Let me walk you through the complete section modulus¹ charts for both U and Z type sheet piles.

---

Sheet pile weight per meter

The weight per meter of a sheet pile is directly tied to its section modulus¹, but the relationship is different for U and Z profiles.

Sheet pile weight per meter ranges from about 40 kg/m for light sections to over 200 kg/m for heavy sections. For U type piles, weight ranges from 48 kg/m (U 400 x 100) to 106 kg/m (U 600 x 210). For Z type piles, weight ranges from 58 kg/m (AZ 12) to 211 kg/m (AZ 50). Z piles generally achieve higher section modulus¹ per kilogram of steel, which means you get more strength for the same weight.

Weight vs Section Modulus Comparison

Let me show you how weight and section modulus¹ relate for different pile types.

U Type Sheet Piles³ – Weight and Section Modulus

Section	Width (mm)	Height (mm)	Weight (kg/m)	S (cm³/m)	Efficiency (S per kg)
U 400 x 100-10.5	400	100	48.0	1,080	22.5
U 400 x 125-13	400	125	60.0	1,590	26.5
U 400 x 170-15.5	400	170	76.1	2,470	32.5
U 600 x 130-10.3	600	130	61.8	2,350	38.0
U 600 x 180-13.4	600	180	81.6	3,820	46.8
U 600 x 210-18	600	210	106.2	5,730	54.0

Notice how the efficiency (section modulus¹ per kg) increases with section height. The U 600 x 210 achieves 54 cm³/m per kg, which is very efficient.

Z Type Sheet Piles⁴ – Weight and Section Modulus (AZ Series)

Section	Width (mm)	Height (mm)	Weight (kg/m)	S (cm³/m)	Efficiency (S per kg)
AZ 12	630	260	57.8	1,200	20.8
AZ 18	670	345	75.0	1,800	24.0
AZ 26	670	396	109.0	2,600	23.9
AZ 34	670	444	143.0	3,400	23.8
AZ 42	670	487	177.0	4,200	23.7
AZ 50	670	529	211.0	5,000	23.7

Z piles maintain a consistent efficiency of about 24 cm³/m per kg across all sections. For very high section moduli (over 4,000), U piles become more efficient. For medium range (1,500-3,000), Z piles are often more efficient.

What This Means for Your Design

• For S 4,000 cm³/m: U piles (600 series) are more efficient

My Experience
When we needed S = 5,000 cm³/m for a deep wall, we compared U 600 x 210 (106 kg/m) with AZ 50 (211 kg/m). The U pile was much lighter. But for S = 2,600 cm³/m, AZ 26 (109 kg/m) and U 400 x 170-15.5 (76 kg/m) were both options. The U pile was lighter but had a narrower width (400 vs 670 mm). We chose the Z pile because it meant fewer piles to drive.

---

Steel Sheet pile specifications

Steel sheet pile specifications tell you exactly what you need to order. The section modulus¹ is usually the key number.

Steel sheet pile specifications include the required section modulus¹, the pile type (U or Z), dimensions, steel grade², and interlock type³. A well-written specification ensures that the supplied piles meet the structural requirements of the design without wasting steel.

How to Write a Section Modulus Specification

Here is a sample specification that focuses on the structural requirements.

1. Structural Requirements
The sheet pile wall shall be designed for the maximum bending moment determined from the geotechnical analysis. The required section modulus¹ is calculated as:

Srequired = Mmax / σallowable

Where:

• Mmax = maximum bending moment (kN-m/m)
• σallowable = allowable stress in steel (MPa)

For ASTM A328 steel (240 MPa yield) with a safety factor of 1.5:
σallowable = 240 / 1.5 = 160 MPa = 160,000 kN/m²

2. Section Selection
Provide sheet piles with section modulus¹ S ≥ Srequired. Acceptable sections include those listed in the manufacturer’s data sheets with certified section moduli.

3. Steel Grade

• ASTM A328 for standard applications
• ASTM A572 Grade 50 for higher strength
• ASTM A690 for marine environments
• EN 10248 S355GP for European projects

4. Interlock

• U type: Larssen ball-and-socket
• Z type: Ball-and-socket (PZC, AZ) or hook-and-grip (PZ)

5. Tolerances
The section modulus¹ shall be based on nominal dimensions. Actual section modulus¹ shall not be less than 95% of the nominal value.

Sample Specification for a Project
My Experience
When I receive a specification that says "S ≥ 2,500 cm³/m," I know exactly which sections to quote. I can provide U 400 x 170-15.5 (S = 2,470) or U 600 x 180-12 (S = 3,510) or AZ 26 (S = 2,600). The engineer then chooses based on width, weight, and availability.

---

Sheet pile type 4 specification

Type 4¹ is a historical designation for U-type sheet piles that is still used in many specifications, particularly in Asia and the Middle East.

Sheet pile type 4 has a section modulus of approximately 2,470 cm³/m, weight of 76.1 kg/m, width of 400 mm, and height of 170 mm. It is equivalent to U 400 x 170-15.5² in modern designation. Type 4¹ is commonly used for retaining walls, port structures, and permanent marine walls.

Complete Type Specifications

Here are the common Type designations with their properties.

Type	Width (mm)	Height (mm)	Thickness (mm)	Weight (kg/m)	S (cm³/m)	I (cm⁴/m)
Type 2	400	100	10.5	48.0	1,080	5,400
Type 3	400	125	13.0	60.0	1,590	9,900
Type 41	400	170	15.5	76.1	2,470	21,000
Type 5	400	170	18.0	86.0	2,800	23,800
Type 6	600	180	13.4	81.6	3,820	34,400
Type 7	600	210	18.0	106.2	5,730	60,200

How to Read Type Specifications

• Type number increases with strength
• Type 2 is light, Type 7 is heavy
• The properties are standardized across Japanese and Asian mills
• Type 4¹ is one of the most common for permanent walls

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

• U 400 x 170-15.5² (EN 10248)
• U 400 x 170 (ASTM A328)
• Any equivalent section with S ≥ 2,470 cm³/m and 400 mm width

My Experience
I still see Type 4¹ specifications on projects in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The riverbank project used Type 3 (U 400 x 125). For a larger project, Type 4¹ would be the next step up. Knowing the Type system helps me match historical specifications to modern products.

---

Sheet pile size chart

A sheet pile size chart¹ puts all the key properties in one place: dimensions, weight, section modulus², and moment of inertia³.

A sheet pile size chart¹ lists each section with its width, height, thickness, weight per meter, section modulus² (S), and moment of inertia³ (I). It allows engineers and contractors to quickly compare sections and select the appropriate pile for their project.

Complete Size Chart – U Type⁴

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

Complete Size Chart – Z Type⁵ (AZ Series)

Section	Width (mm)	Height (mm)	Thick (mm)	Weight (kg/m)	S (cm³/m)	I (cm⁴/m)
AZ 12	630	260	7.0	57.8	1,200	15,600
AZ 13	670	305	7.0	57.8	1,300	19,800
AZ 14	670	308	7.5	62.0	1,400	21,500
AZ 16	670	322	8.0	66.5	1,600	25,800
AZ 18	670	345	9.0	75.0	1,800	31,000
AZ 20	670	358	10.0	83.5	2,000	35,800
AZ 22	670	367	11.0	92.0	2,200	40,400
AZ 24	670	378	12.0	100.5	2,400	45,400
AZ 26	670	396	13.0	109.0	2,600	51,500
AZ 28	670	408	14.0	117.5	2,800	57,200
AZ 30	670	422	15.0	126.0	3,000	63,300
AZ 34	670	444	17.0	143.0	3,400	75,500
AZ 38	670	465	19.0	160.0	3,800	88,400
AZ 42	670	487	21.0	177.0	4,200	102,300
AZ 46	670	508	23.0	194.0	4,600	116,800
AZ 50	670	529	25.0	211.0	5,000	132,300

Complete Size Chart – Z Type⁵ (PZC Series⁶)

Section	Width (in)	Width (mm)	Height (in)	Weight (lb/ft)	Weight (kg/m)	S (in³/ft)	S (cm³/m)
PZC 12	27.88	708	12.52	46.4	69.1	12.8	2,210
PZC 13	27.88	708	12.56	50.4	75.0	14.5	2,500
PZC 14	27.88	708	12.60	55.0	81.9	16.3	2,810
PZC 17	25.00	635	15.21	46.4	69.1	17.4	3,000
PZC 18	25.00	635	15.25	50.4	75.0	19.5	3,360
PZC 19	25.00	635	15.30	55.0	81.9	21.7	3,740
PZC 26	27.88	708	17.70	73.9	110.0	28.8	4,960
PZC 28	27.88	708	18.00	80.4	119.7	33.4	5,750
PZC 29	27.88	708	18.20	84.0	125.0	36.5	6,290

How to Use the Size Chart

1. Calculate required section modulus²: S = Mmax / σallowable
2. Find a section with S ≥ required value
3. Check weight for handling and shipping
4. Verify width for wall length calculation (Number of piles = wall length ÷ width)

---

Sheet pile weight calculator

A sheet pile weight calculator¹ helps you quickly determine the total weight² for ordering, shipping, and handling.

To calculate sheet pile weight, multiply the weight per meter³ by the length of each pile, then multiply by the number of piles. For a wall, total piles = wall length ÷ pile width. The total weight² determines shipping cost⁴ and crane requirements.

Weight Calculation Formulas

Here are the formulas you need for accurate calculations.

Single Pile Weight
Example:
720 kg × 250 piles = 180,000 kg = 180 metric tons

Quick Reference Table – Single Pile Weights

Pile Section	Weight (kg/m)	10m Pile (kg)	12m Pile (kg)	15m Pile (kg)	18m Pile (kg)
U 400 x 100-10.5	48.0	480	576	720	864
U 400 x 125-13	60.0	600	720	900	1,080
U 400 x 170-15.5	76.1	761	913	1,142	1,370
U 600 x 130-10.3	61.8	618	742	927	1,112
U 600 x 180-13.4	81.6	816	979	1,224	1,469
U 600 x 210-18	106.2	1,062	1,274	1,593	1,912
AZ 18	75.0	750	900	1,125	1,350
AZ 26	109.0	1,090	1,308	1,635	1,962
PZC 13	75.0	750	900	1,125	1,350
PZC 26	110.0	1,100	1,320	1,650	1,980

Quick Reference Table – Wall Weights (per 100 m of wall)

Pile Section	Width (m)	Piles per 100m	Weight (kg/m)	12m Length Total (tons)	15m Length Total (tons)
U 400 x 125-13	0.40	250	60.0	180	225
U 400 x 170-15.5	0.40	250	76.1	228	285
U 600 x 180-13.4	0.60	167	81.6	163	204
U 600 x 210-18	0.60	167	106.2	212	265
AZ 18	0.67	149	75.0	134	168
AZ 26	0.67	149	109.0	195	244
PZC 13	0.71	141	75.0	127	159
PZC 26	0.71	141	110.0	186	233

My Experience
When a client asks for a quote, I use these calculations to determine total weight². Shipping cost is based on weight, so accurate calculation is essential. For the riverbank project, we calculated 450 tons of steel and arranged shipping accordingly.

---

Conclusion

Section modulus is the key property for sheet pile selection. Use the size charts to find the right section for your required bending moment¹. Calculate total weight using weight per meter times length times number of piles.

---