Soldier Pile vs. Sheet Pile: Choosing the Right Commercial Shoring in Bay Area

Joe Lazzaretti
Aug 12
10 min read

Updated: Sep 2

In the Bay Area, when we talk about big jobs to hold soil up, two main ways come up: soldier piles and sheet piles. What you pick depends on the earth type, water amount, near big builds, and local rules. Here's the easy break-up:

Soldier Piles: Good for mixed or hard soil, less noisy to put in, works well in close city spots. They hold deep and firm, but water can pass by them.
Sheet Piles: Top choice for places with lots of water, goes in fast, and you can use them again for short-time jobs. But, they might not do well in hard soils and can be loud and shake things when being put in.

Main Points to Think Over:

Soil: Soldier piles do better in stony or mixed soils; sheet piles are for softer lands.
Water Hold: Sheet piles keep water out; soldier piles need more steps to keep dry.
Noise & Shake: Soldier piles are less noisy, good for busy city spots.
Money: Sheet piles cost less for not-deep work; soldier piles might save cash in big, deep jobs.

Quick Look at Both:

Factor	Soldier Pile	Sheet Pile
Soil Fit	Good with hard/mixed soils	Bad with hard soils
Water Control	Needs more dry work	Keeps water out
Noise	Low noise while putting in	Loud and shakes a lot
Urban Fit	Best for small areas	Not so good in towns
Reusability	Stays in one spot	Can be used again
Cost	More at start, less over time	Less to start

Both ways work, but local things like ground shakes, water amounts, and tight rules guide the choice. In the Bay Area, when there are many buildings, soldier piles are better. Near water or in urgent times, sheet piles do well. Always talk to local pros to make sure you follow rules and work well.

Soldier Pile Shoring Systems

What is Soldier Pile Shoring?

Soldier pile shoring uses steel rods, called soldier piles, stuck deep in the ground at set spots. As digging goes on, wood or steel sheets get put between these rods to keep the dirt back and handle the push from the earth. This setup can stand on its own or use extra ties or supports for more hold, based on what the work needs.

Soldier Pile Advantages

One big win for this setup is how fast it can be put up. This speedy work is great in the Bay Area, where time for building is tight. They also save money, and you can pick different materials for the side sheets based on the job's need. If more hold is needed, you can add ties or props to the mix.

Soldier Pile Limitations

While strong, this kind of wall has some downsides. It can't stop water fully, as gaps between the rods let water seep in - an issue where water is high in the ground. With rods 5 to 10 feet apart, some dirt may shift, which could be hard in tight city spots. Also, these piles are mainly for short-term fix, so a more lasting wall is often needed after. These points need to be thought over, especially given the Bay Area's changing needs.

Bay Area Uses

In the Bay Area, soldier pile shoring works well for lots of jobs, like making sure buildings can handle shakes and tight spots in cities. For example, in San Francisco, these piles helped keep deep dig sites stable in busy places. Real jobs show how useful they are: at the Fort Mason Center, they held up a three-floor old military hospital while it was fixed. A Porsche Dealership used them while knocking down and building new. Also, they helped fix a sinking roof at a Trader Joe's store.

Wall Building for Deeper Ground

What Is Wall Digging With Sheets?

Wall digging with sheets uses steel sheets that plug into each other and go deep into the earth. These sheets connect tightly, making a wall that stops dirt and water from pushing in. To put them in the ground, people use big hammers or shaking tools. The sheets fit together well, making a strong wall. This kind of wall is great for many building sites.

Good Things About Wall Sheets

Wall sheets block water well, which is perfect for places near water, like by the bay. Once they are put in, the sheets can be joined to last long and stop water completely, cutting the need to pump out water and speeding up the build, saving money.

These walls can take the hit of being pushed into the ground, can be used again for short jobs, and last a long time in water or dry places. Because of this, there's often no need for lots of drying [1][2].

Also, getting these sheets and setting them up is quick, which is key in emergencies like floods or big storms by the coast [1].

Down Sides of Wall Sheets

But, wall sheets also have problems. If the dirt has big rocks, it can be hard to push the sheets to the right level [2]. The push makes a lot of noise and shakes, which can bother people living nearby, mainly if many people live in that area [2]. Sometimes, the shakes can make buildings close by settle a bit [2].

Also, how deep or wide you can dig is limited by the wall sheets' size, which can stop some designs [2]. While wall sheets can be part of lasting builds, it doesn't always happen [2].

Uses in the Bay

In the Bay, wall sheets are very useful for work by the water and deep digs where controlling water matters a lot. They are used for dock building, fixing sea walls, and digging basements in wet areas. Their fast setup is also very helpful in crisis times, like during hard storms, helping save buildings and other things fast.

Two Way Look

What to weigh

When picking between soldier piles and sheet piles, look at many things like the soil, water in the ground, how strong each is, how each goes into the ground, and cost. Soldier piles do well in tough, mix soil but sheet piles may find it hard with big rocks or very hard rock.

How to manage water is key too. Sheet piles stop water well, but soldier piles let water through, so more work is needed to keep water away.

The two vary a lot in how strong each is. Soldier piles are good at not bending, so they are best for deep holes with much push from the sides. Sheet piles can bend more under big weight, which could be a limit in some works.

How each goes in also matters a lot for time and money. Sheet piles need tools that make a lot of sound and shake. This is less so with soldier piles, making them better for busy city spots.

Cost shifts too. Sheet piles cost less at first and can be used again, which is good for short time jobs. But, soldier piles, though more at first, work best for deep, hard jobs and may pay off more in the long run.

Look at Both Together

Factor	Soldier Pile	Sheet Pile
Soil Fit	Good in hard, mixed dirt	Not good in hard dirt
Water	Needs extra drying	Stops water well
Strength	Can bend but resists well	Strong but may bend
Noise	Quiet, less mess	Loud, shakes a lot
City Fit	Great for packed places	Not best for city spots
Depth	Good for deep digs	Good for not so deep digs
Use Again	Stays put	Can be taken out and used again
Speed	Not fast, needs care	Puts in quick
Cost for Shallow	Costs more at the start	Costs less at the start
Cost for Deep	Saves money long run	Costs add up

Bay Area Choices

In the Bay Area, special local things touch the pick of these plans. Shakes are a big worry, and soldier piles mostly do a better job of bending without breaking under quake forces than sheet piles joined tight together.

Noise rules are big in city spots too. For example, San Francisco has strong rules about loud noise that stops loud work at some times. Since putting in sheet piles can make a lot of noise, workers like to use soldier piles in spots where there's a need for quiet.

City tightness adds more to think about. With sky-high land costs and tight-packed buildings, it's key to keep shaking and land sinking low to dodge big money loss. Soldier piles, which don't shake much when put in, are picked more in these spots.

Water in the ground changes by place. Near water or where water sits close to the ground, sheet piles work well to keep water in check. Yet, many lands away from water with deeper water in the ground can use soldier piles without needing to take a lot of water out.

Lastly, the Bay Area's mix of soft mud and hard rock in the ground makes a difference in how well systems work. Soldier piles tend to deal better with surprises in the ground, while sheet piles might have a hard time if they hit big stones or very hard rock layers.

How to Pick the Best System

Steps to Choose

Picking the right shoring way is about more than just tech facts - it asks for a deep know of the Bay Area's own hard bits, from earth and water kinds to city limits. To choose well, you must think about the rules and what could go wrong.

Start by matching your pick with local rules. Look at what permits your work may need. For example, will you need to deal with water removal? If yes, see if bad stuff in the water means you need a special permit for VOC and Fuel. Also, think how the act of driving piles affects close buildings, as noise and shaking rules in the Bay Area can change what you can do. Don’t miss road and Special Use Permit needs, as these can slow you down and sway the kind of system you pick. Facing these rule steps early helps deal with the risks tied to shoring jobs.

Managing Risks

Good risk handling is key to keep your work safe and on time. For instance, when driving piles, it's key to have clear checks in place. The Clean Water Program San Mateo work shows us a good example:

"Pile driving activities were expected to exceed the City's Municipal Code, with noise levels reaching 90-100 decibels at the property line during Stage 1 and potentially exceeding 110 decibels during Stage 2."[3]

Set firm rules to stop work if noise or shake levels go over safe points. With this, make a strong plan for underground water control with enough pump power, and a plan for traffic to sort out trucks and manage any road blocks.

Permits and Rules

The laws you must follow guide what way to shore you pick. In the Bay Area, you must sort out many permits and rules:

Groundwater Permits: The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board asks for a Groundwater General Permit for jobs that move and drop groundwater. If the water has VOCs or fuels, you need a VOC and Fuel General Permit.
Noise and Vibration Control: Local rules often need steps like noise-cutting covers, short noise walls, or getting noise passes to meet limits.
Traffic Control: A clear traffic plan is key, which includes keeping to city truck paths and getting OKs for road blocks or special access.
Special Use Permits: Big jobs often need a Special Use Permit from local planning groups. Keeping to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) may need making an Environmental Impact Report. Systems with less noise, like soldier pile systems, can sometimes make this OK process quicker.

Wrap Up

Key Points

In the Bay Area, different support systems work best under certain conditions. Soldier pile systems are a top pick for projects that need to be flexible. They suit many soil types, can be put in place quietly with drills, and fit well even in small spaces. They can hold up digs from about 4 feet to more than 16 feet deep, which makes them trustworthy for lots of business jobs.

On the other hand, sheet pile systems are the best when dealing with water matters most. They lock together to build strong water walls, perfect near water or where the ground has lots of water. Plus, they go in and come out fast, which can make projects move quicker.

Local issues often steer the best pick. For example, busy city spots may go for soldier pile systems for their quiet setup, while places by the water might pick sheet piles for their water control. Costs differ too - soldier piles usually cost less for normal digs, but sheet piles can save cash in wet areas due to their water-moving features.

Last Tips

To choose wisely, match each system's strong points with your site's special needs. Soil, water levels, space, and local rules all matter when picking the right way.

Team up with local pros who know the Bay Area's building challenges well. A company like Golden Gate Shoring, with years of local know-how, can lead you from checking the site to putting the system in, making sure you pick the best option for your project's needs.

Excavator Mounted Vibro Hammer for Installation of Sheet Piles and Soldier Piles

FAQs

What to think about when picking between soldier pile and sheet pile shoring for Bay Area work?

When you need to pick between soldier pile and sheet pile shoring in the Bay Area, you should think about a few key points like soil type, how deep the project goes, and how to handle water. Soldier piles work well for very deep digs and can be changed later if needed. On the other hand, sheet piles are good for not so deep work, mainly if the area is wet.

The Bay Area has special ground types and water in the ground that really play a big role in this choice. It also matters if the place is dry or wet when you pick the right system. Working with local experts who know the area's unique problems can help make sure your job goes well and follows the rules.

How do Bay Area rules and nature play a role in picking a shoring system?

Bay Area Shoring Systems: Dealing with Local Rules

In the Bay Area, rules and nature stuff - like floods, ground firmness, and issues with loose or wet ground - greatly play a role in the choice of shoring systems. Local codes focus on safety and keeping the environment safe while dealing with the area's special ground issues.

Look at soldier pile and sheet pile shoring as samples. These ways are often picked because they handle the area's different ground types and fit tough rules. Picking the right system not only meets local rules but also deals well with each site's own conditions.