Steel Sheet Piles in Flood Protection: Projects in Poland

João Martins and Michał Januszewski

 

Abstract 

 

The flood of the century in Poland along the Vistula and Odra river in 1997, and the following flood in 2001 clearly showed that the state of flood protection systems required urgent modernization to fit present needs. 

An extensive analysis of the situation pointed out the weakest links. Steel sheet piling is a technology that can be utilized to achieve the objectives of modernization and improvements of dykes and flood walls. The paper focuses on modernization and reconstruction of the Wroclaw Floodway System, currently the largest European flood protection project under construction. Further recent flood protection references utilizing steel sheet piles in reinforcing dikes are Lipki-Oława, Sartowice, modernization of Radunia Channel and Płonie Channel. 

Keywords: dyke reinforcement, steel sheet piles, flood protection, watertightness.

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Introduction 

 

Steel sheet piles have been utilised for more than 100 years, proving that it is a reliable and cost-effective solution. 

Application fields are harbour construction and temporary cofferdams. However, steel sheet piles have also been widely used in river control structures and flood defense. Steel sheet piling has traditionally been used for the reinforcing and protection of river banks, lock and sluice construction, and flood protection. 

Ease of use, speed of execution, long service life and the ability to be driven in the water make sheet piles the obvious choice for permanent and temporary structures. The design of the shape of the profiles provides the maximum strength and durability at the lowest possible weight, and takes into account driveability. 

Depending on type of structure, applicable surcharge loads, soil and water conditions, standard hot rolled Z-type or U-type sections, as well as combined walls executed with box piles or the HZ/AZ system can be installed.

Flood defence and bank protection

Sheet pile walls - effective solutions for building and enhancing flood defences and canal banks

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