Why sheet and brace solutions are gaining popularity

Coates Engineering Solutions is experiencing a growing appetite for turnkey solutions, like sheet and brace, from temporary works customers who want to reduce risk and simplify the delivery of major projects. Here we take a look at what’s involved in delivering sheet and brace solutions, and the value that this type of service can bring to construction projects.

What are sheet piles?

Sheet piles are interlocking sheets that are driven into the ground, forming a wall that supports excavation work. The shape and material used to construct sheets determines their strength and stability. Steel is most common, and is considered to be the best material for withstanding large bending forces and pressure. Although less common, wood and vinyl sheets can also be used.

How are sheet piles installed?

The interlocking nature of sheet piles allows them to be installed in sequence along the perimeter of an excavation site, with anchors used to provide additional lateral support. Sheet piles are installed with the aid of vibratory hammers that often come as excavator attachments (like the excavator mounted vibrator).

What is a sheet and brace solution?

A sheet and brace solution allows customers to bundle together a wide range of piling equipment and related services, making it much easier and more effective to design and implement sheet pile shoring solutions.

“As well as supplying all piling hire equipment, this approach connects customers with a team of qualified engineers to manage conceptual designs in line with all project constraints, and oversee the implementation of complex shoring solutions,” says Joe Hovanjec, National Projects Engineer, Coates. “It also provides customers with skilled operators to install sheet piling solutions safely, and the assurance that any issues will be quickly and expertly resolved.”

Other services that can be bundled into sheet and brace shoring solutions, include:

• Efficient and cost effective sheet piling designs, to keep project timescales and budgets on track. 

• Method statements, safe work statements and risk assessments, for generic and scheme-specific designs (in both pictorial and written form).

• Tender support with scheme and budget costing for estimators and planners. 

• Internal and third-party engineering certification can also be coordinated for design and installation.

The value of a turnkey approach for temporary works

Construction projects often involve a web of contractors and specialists, each supplying materials, equipment, services and support. A challenge customers face is that the bigger and more diverse the project team is, the more complex the project is to deliver. 

“By offering a single point of contact our engineering solutions team helps customers to streamline the entire temporary works process, from conceptual design, to supervised installation, inspection, maintenance and de-installation once work is complete,” Joe explains. “This approach also improves accountability for delivery and ensures customers receive highly responsive troubleshooting.”

Ultimately, partnering with service providers like Coates Engineering Solutions, who can deliver a broad scope of services and high level of support, allows customers to streamline major projects, minimise risk and improve project outcomes.