In recent times, man has developed sophisticated buildings and construction designs. These designs require expertise and adopting sophisticated tools to build and construct them. Over time, man has discovered that these designs also require improved and high-quality materials to not only bring the designs to reality but also give the designs strength. Some of the building and construction designs are:

• * Bridges: River embankment walls, sea walls, and Dams.

• * Basements: Tunnels and Underground Structures.

Compared to the early times of construction, the present society has seen the demand for building and constructing infrastructures and designs increase, all in a bid to beautify their environment and provide a comfortable living. One criterion that is required from every infrastructure or building is quality, and one material that is employed in the construction of quality and sophisticated building and construction designs similar to the designs mentioned above is sheet piles.

Sheet Piles are reinforcement materials used for construction purposes to provide strength to the building structures. These sheet piles come in various types mainly:

• * Timber sheet piles

• * Steel sheet piles

• * Reinforced concrete sheet piles

The type of sheet pile used is dependent on a lot of factors. The factors that determine the kind of sheet pile to use are:

• * The type of structure: The type or kind of building structure influences the type of sheet piles that is to be used. Timber piles are better suited for light construction projects and should not be used for heavy construction to avoid the project collapsing in the future. Reinforced concrete and steel sheet piles can be used for any construction project.

• * The Duration: Timber sheet piles are better suited for temporary purposes, but if used for permanent purposes, require regular supervision. Whereas both reinforced concrete and steel sheet piles can serve for both long and short-term use.

• * Timber sheet piles are preferably used on land construction projects, not marine structures. Both reinforced concrete and steel sheet piles are suitable for marine structures as well.

Uses of Sheet Piles

There are different uses of sheet piles, but these are the three most common uses:

1. Sheet piles serve as retaining walls: This is because sheet Piles are designed to retain soil and water pressure and have the flexibility and strength to do so. Hence, they are used for retention walls in dams, tunnels, and underground structures.

2. Sheet piles are used in marine structures: Both reinforced concrete and steel sheet Piles are used here. Reinforce concrete sheet Piles are used in hand with timber sheet Piles for bridges and dams. The timber sheets are used to part the water body, enabling the engineers to cast the reinforced concrete sheet Piles in place. Steel sheet Piles are preferred for shorelines, mooring vessels, ports, and harbors. This is because steel sheet Piles are robust, reliable, durable, and easy to install.

3. Sheet piles are used in basements: The common sheet pile used here is the steel sheet pile. This type of pile is preferred because of the following reasons:

• * Cost-effective when compared to others

• * Consumes less construction time

• * It allows for space utilization.

• * Using steel sheets results in a more supported building

• * Steel sheet Piles are recyclable and reusable.

Conclusion

There are many uses of sheet Piles, but these are the most common uses and the most preferred type of sheet pile utilized. Sheet piling systems are commonly utilised by providers of fuelling and infrastructure maintenance services.