Eiffel 101: How to Protect Sheet Pile in Marine Construction

Tips & Advice

Steel sheet piles often play an important part in marine construction, particularly the construction of foundations for marine structures. Unfortunately, the use of sheet piles in areas where they are exposed to either salt or fresh water can be a recipe for corrosion. When the piles are exposed to wet soil, immersed in water, or are frequently splashed with water, steps should be taken to help prevent corrosion and to monitor corrosion levels as it develops.

Below are some suggestions for protecting sheet piles in marine environments:

  • Regular inspections of sheet piles should be scheduled and performed to detect any development of corrosion. Corrosion levels should be recorded, and sheet piles should be attended to if they reach beyond a pre-established level of corrosion that may compromise the marine structure.

  • Anti-corrosive coatings are a top protective solution. Coal tar epoxy coating, glass flake epoxy coating, duplex coating systems, and hot dip galvanization are all popular options to help prevent corrosion.

  • The use of thicker sheet piles or thicker sections of sheet piles can help prevent corrosion. Supplemental steel plates can also be welded onto sheet piles that develop corrosion to increase their strength and prevent further corrosion.

  • Structural design to help eliminate bending in marine areas where corrosion is common doesn’t necessarily prevent corrosion, but it does help extend the functional life of the sheet piles regardless.

  • An extension of concrete capping beam below any low water levels can also be useful to help stop corrosion in its tracks.

  • Sheet piles with a mild or moderate amount of corrosion can be pressure washed to remove corroded layers. Additionally, sheet piles can be pressure washed on a regular basis as a part of general maintenance and corrosion protection.

  • If sheet piles are going to be permanently immersed in water, the use of particular steel grades like AMLoCor and ASTM A690 can be helpful. ASTM A690 sheet piles are considered “mariner-grade” steel because they are a composite of steel, nickel, and copper, which makes them naturally anti-corrosive.

  • Cathodic protection is another viable solution. It can be either provided by sacrificial anodes or by impressed current. It offers quite a bit of protection for sheet piles that are in constant contact with sea water or fresh water. Cathodic protection can be added to sheet piles after they are installed if corrosion is detected.

  • Sheet piles should always be monitored for pitting corrosion in addition to regular corrosion. Luckily, pitting corrosion does not usually affect the overall stability of the structure or retaining wall involved. Duplex coating, which is a combination of hot tip galvanization and epoxy coating, is particularly beneficial in preventing pitting corrosion.

  • Keep in mind that when sheet piles are used in sea water, the greatest level of corrosion is usually found in the low water zone or the splash zone. The low water zone, in particular, often causes the most problems. Because of this, coating or cathodic protection should be applied to areas that are roughly 5 feet to 8 feet beneath the mean low water.

OVERALL

Sheet piles are fairly resilient and can easily stand the test of time in most areas where they are used. If employed in marine areas, the tips above help extend their usable life. If you purchase sheet piles used, make sure to carefully inspect them for corrosion from previous use and to treat them with coatings or cathodic protection if you know you’re going to be using them in marine environments where corrosion is possible.

BUY AND SELL WITH EIFFEL TRADING

Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace boasts a wide variety of piledriving materials, including used sheet pile, used steel pipe, new and used wide flange beams, and more. Additionally, our marine equipment inventory ranges from spud barges, to deck barges, and everything in between.

All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.

Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.