Sheet Pile Application: Jetties

Jetties are structures that extend out from land into bodies of water. They may also be built in the middle of a body of water with some kind of access between themselves and land. They are used at the outlets of rivers, at the mouths of tidal rivers, at lagoon outlets, to aid in river regulation, and for berthing at docks. They are also useful in ocean areas where dredging is not possible along the shore. A jetty’s main job in most cases is to influence the tide or current in an area to protect a beach or harbor from waves. When it is constructed at the bank of a river, it may serve to narrow a wide channel in order to control the current and make the channel navigable by boats and vessels.

CONSTRUCTION

Jetties are typically constructed across a slope, and they allow vessels and barges to berth alongside them or at their ends. Most constructions of jetties involve a pile structure that supports a deck. The pile structure is frequently made up of battered steel sheet piles that are driven into the ground. It may also be made up of timber or concrete piles. A jetty’s deck is often made up of reinforced concrete or steel.

MATERIALS

Steel H-piles are a popular choice for jetties. Their pile structures may also be made up of tubular piles that are spirally welded. In some cases, a jetty may necessitate a double sheet pile wall that includes at least one anchor level. As mentioned, timber or reinforced concrete piles may also be used in the construction of a jetty. Timber is most likely to be used for temporary jetties. It weathers faster than alternatives and isn’t suitable for use in rocky areas. Concrete piles can serve many of the same purposes as steel, but steel is still the preferred choice in many situations due to its relatively inexpensive price tag, longevity, and strength.

Steel is also the most common type of sheet pile used in jetty construction because it can support heavy loads, offers superior water tightness, and can easily be driven into rocky ground. It’s also fairly easy to lengthen structures made of sheet piles by interlocking them using welding or bolting, which makes construction quick and efficient.

Sheet Piles in Groin Construction

Sheet piles are also used to construct groins, which serve similar functions to jetties. A groin is a narrow structure of considerable length that extends into the water from a beach area to help prevent erosion of the beach or to aid in trapping and collecting sand that would have, without its interference, drifted along the face of the beach when waves approached the beach at particular angles. A group of groins may be built to help prevent downdrift erosion, and this group of groins may be referred to as a groin field. As is the case with jetties, sheet piles are often used to build a groin’s supportive foundation. Groins are usually constructed vertically to the line of the shore and may be designed to be either permeable or impermeable, depending on the needs of the area. Steel sheet piles are well-suited to building groins that are impermeable due to their superior water tightness.

Overall, steel sheet piles are a versatile option for projects that aim to protect harbors and beaches from both water damage and damage from erosion.

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