This is a sketchcast of how to build a vinyl bulkhead. From a side view, it covers the basic required components, a few key terms, and very general installation guidelines of a building a vinyl bulkhead.
It does not endorse any specific vinyl sheet piling brand because installation of most of them is the same with a few exceptions.
Vinyl Bulkhead Materials & Terms
Vinyl Sheet Piling - the piling itself, usually made of PVC with UV inhibitors.
Wale - treated lumber or timber used to support the front of the bulkhead.
Backboard - treated lumber or timber used to support the backside of the bulkhead.
Tie Rod - galvanized or stainless rod with threads on each end used to connect the bulkhead to the deadmen.
Deadmen - treated posts or short poles buried behind the wall and connected to the bulkhead to support the vinyl bulkhead and prevent it from collapsing into the water under extreme pressure from behind.
Top Cap - treated lumber or timber used to cover the top of the bulkhead. Usually connected to the backboard and front wale using screws or nails.
Mud Line - bottom of the water.
50/50 Rule - commonly used rule for vinyl bulkhead design stating that the sheet piling should be driven as far into the ground (below the mud line) as it is exposed. 50% of the sheet should be below the mud line and 50% of the sheet should be above the mud line.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
How to Build a Vinyl Bulkhead
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how is the sheet pile driven into the mud?
ReplyDeleteKirk,
ReplyDeleteThe vinyl sheet piles are usually pushed into the ground using a backhoe or trackhoe. If there is no land access, a barge loaded with equipment may be used from the water.
If your bulkhead is going into an area with sandy or muddy soil, you might be able to "jet" it into the soil using a water jet. Water is pumped through a pipe which you stab into the ground around where you want the sheet piling to go making it easier to force the sheets into the ground.
Hope this helps.
Chris
how many feet below the bottom end of the v-groove should the piling extend. what is the rule of thumb.
ReplyDeletesmallsville@ec.rr.com
Smallsville,
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what you mean in reference to this article. You don't need v-groove for vinyl bulkheads and the sheet pilings themselves act as piling and don't need additional pilings.
If you are asking a wood bulkhead, then the rule of thumb for the pilings is go about 1/2 in and 1/2 out of the water with the center match/v-groove boards extending about 2 feet below the mud line.
I hope this helps.
Chris