Plastic Piling From APE

Plastic is very sustainable, but it has a lower E-modulus than wood and steel. Softwood offers much strength and is cheap, but it rots away when it is applied at water surface. However, immersed softwood has a very long life span.


Therefore Profextru developed a sheet piling system which combines the characteristics of plastic with the benefits of softwood. The plastic screen is applied at the height where water is present up to ground level (and depending on the type of earth up to approx. 50 cm in the bottom), while the wooden pole is installed under the lowest water level, where it has to provide strength and the wood cannot rot.

Plastic piling has proven itself in many diverse applications:

Bank Retention and restoration.

Drainage culverts and channels

Inland marina, waterway walls and banks

Blocking ditches / grips on peat bogs and other nature reserve applications.

Permanent shuttering

Cut-off walls, either water or contaminated land.

Soil boxes, railway ballast retention and compost containers.

Temporary works – such as shallow utility trenches.

Erosion Control, Drainage channels and Bank Retention


With the prolific use of timber retaining walls, either through willow bank construction, Nicopsan or the use of gabions systems with coir rolls; it is clear that these methods have merits appreciated throughout the industry. The main perceived benefit, particularly Nicospan, is short term cost savings and also the natural aesthetics generated as plants grow through as the system mature. However, these natural systems do not have the longevity of engineered sheet piling, the later of which can create a fully supporting system that will last 5 times longer, if not more.

APE appreciates that traditional sheet piling, including the older designs of plastic piling do create a very artificial appearing system. Deep and repetitive corrugations which provide strength, do detract from the natural appearance of a waterway. However, no “green engineering” technique to date produce the consistent level of viable long last solutions. That stated APE have spent considerable resources seeking out products that can provide the best of both, and the MultiLock is definitely one product that meets this criteria. It still has repetitive corrugations, but very shallow corrugations as it derives its strength from is full sectional shape, most of which is hidden in the bank or beneath the capping. It is a full “green” solution in that it combines recycling with sustainability, whilst still maintaining longevity.

APE’s strategy in terms of its plastic piling is to offer an adoptive approach, where other methods or materials have merits, we seek to include them, not replace them. Consider a Nicospan system, a geotextile supported each metre by a 100mm diameter post, the MultiLock can use an identical sized post every 25 cm. Why not use both, the MultiLock just beneath the water level, where its strength and erosion control is unparralleled, and then thread the Nicospan through extended timbers above the MultiLock. These timber supports could also be used in conjunction with coir rolls or bundles, either threaded around or directly attached!

That way you combine a structured approach with a method that will permit growth, maintaining that sought after natural appearance.

Traditional applications are clearly waterways related, such as retaining walls, seawalls, erosion and scour protection. These applications benefiting from the increased longevity of the product and its resistance to natural causes of deterioration such as oxidation or biological attack.

Common Concerns

The two common concerns surrounding plastic piling, particularly those that have attempted installing older designs of plastic piling are:

How do I install it? Plastic is very flexible compared to steel, will standard piling equipment install them the same way?

With the increase in the use of the canal and riverway infrastructure, how can plastic tolerate impacts from boats, surely they would get damaged and compromise the integrity of the bank support?

Installation

It is envisaged that the flexibility of these products will permit a wider usage within waterways, as the system requires much shallower installation, it can be used in much hard ground conditions, where traditional plastic piling could not be driven, but where steel tubes or timber posts can easily.

In many cases, until now, not one manufacturer of plastic piling has provided any satisfactory answers, most will simply tell you that yes, standard equipment will drive them no problem any length. These comments are made without any true appreciation of piling equipment designed for installing steel. APE has spent considerable resources designing interfaces and mandrels (the latest University project conducted by APE with Cranfield University, confirms our commitment). These were all needed for even installing the shortest lengths of plastic piling!

With the advent of the MultiLock, APE can concentrate its activities on driving substantial lengths as required for cut-off wall applications, through the provision of novel mandrel designs not to mention the release of the APEX Hammer!

Flood defences and Landfill Cut-off walls

Containing or excluding water is one of the key applications of plastic sheet piling, it does not rust like steel or rot like wood. Therefore it is ideally suited to water based applications. The ProLock MultiLock range is perhaps best suited to retaining walls and bank support, since its concept is one of minimising sheet length to reduce overall cost, without reducing product quality. Within a cut-off application such economy is not an option since the pile needs to be driven to depth to provide a cut-off. That stated the MultiLock and ProLock do have certain advantages within this applications.


Firstly, these products are 500mm wide and therefore interlocks are more spaced apart reducing leakage paths. The increase width, further reduces the number of piles that needs to be driven, especialiiy important when a large perimeter needs covering. The price per metre is more expensive than the Europile, but its square metre coverage works out around the same.

The novel symmetrical shape of the MultiLock profile means that this pile is naturally more rigid and therefore would more efficiently drive using a vibratory hammer, than conventional plastic piling. Within these applications long lengths around 4-7 metres need to be installed, all plastic piling is flexible to an extent, however only the ProLock and MultiLock can be driven with steel tubes or timber posts.

In most applications the steel tubes or timbers are required for additional load bearing. In this application there is only one load, that being the load during installation, the use of internal timbers or tubes will rigidise internally the plastic pile making longer lengths easier to drive without full pan mandrels such as the Stabcat Stommper.

For areas where the works are simply to build up existing flood defences, then this system clearly has the main installation advantage. This product has been used by major Civil Engineering Companies and also home-owners and onwers of caravan parks. The product appeals to main stream civil engineering since it is a quality well engineered product, it appeals to less technical users as it is so easy to install, making it ideal for domestic usage. In Holland, there are even examples of it being used domestically for ponds, fencing as well as building up local flood defences when garden end adjacent to water courses.

Retaining Walls and Embankment Support

The ProLock MultiLock product range is better suited to permanent works rather than temporary, and would represent an ideal product from carriage way embankment slope support and stabilisation. The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) conducted major research into the use of Plastic Piling and has published a report into their findings, Guidance on the Structural Use of Plastic Sheet Piling in Highway Applications (ref: TRL 533). A copy of this research is available by contacting the TRL

Prior to the release of this report APE met with Dr Derek Carder, to provide information on installation methods, the concept of the proposal was to install tiers of 4m plastic piles. However at that stage, it was a concern whether 4 metre lengths of traditional plastic piling could be handled. These 4 metre piles would need to be driven 3 metres to provide support for a 1 metre retaining wall, within each tier.

Compost Tea Application:

The importance of a healthy soil (and foliar) microbial community to proper ecosystem functioning is well recognized. Compost tea is a technology developed to help replenish and restore this community on lands where it is degraded – plant growth is typically improved with tea applications containing the correct mix of beneficial organisms for the vegetation being grown (Ingham, 2005). Compost Tea production is a “cold brewing” process, allowing growth of organisms extracted from the compost. Various organic foods / organic fertilizers are added during the brewing process to provide food & nutrient substrates for the microbial organisms to grow. The degree to which fungal growth, versus bacterial growth, is sustained during the brewing process will depend on the quality of the initial compost used and the type of food / nutrients added. It is important that the process remain aerobic during the brewing process and up until the tea is applied – if the tea becomes anaerobic, beneficial organisms (aerobic fungi, protozoa and nematodes) may be lost, replaced by anaerobic bacteria and yeasts (Ingham, 2005).


Given the contaminated nature of the soil and lack of vegetation in the Riverbank Restoration Project area prior to the present reclamation treatments, restoration of the microbial community here is considered a vital component of the project. To help achieve this, three compost tea applications are scheduled for each year until 2011. As of fall 2008, five compost tea applications have been done (two in 2007 and three in 2008). The compost tea is applied through injection into the irrigation system.

What Is Erosion Control?

Erosion control is an action which is taken into place by homeowners and farm owners to prevent the destruction of soil which is caused by the natural effects of wind, rain and excessive water on the soil surface. Soil erosion occurs on most residential property landscaping due to too much watering.

Control Erosion in Your Landscape

The cause of erosion can be due to natural occurrences which can be prevented to make your landscape maintenance tasks a little easier. There are many different types of erosion control methods which are harmless to your surrounding landscape gardens. If home and farm owners decide not to control their erosion problems they may be affecting their crops, flowers and plants from having a nutritional and healthy life and they will die. By treating your erosion problems and controlling them you will be ensure a healthy life for all those flowers, shrubs, plants and trees which are featured in your landscaping areas and retaining walls.
Erosion Control Methods

There are various different types of erosion control methods. There are methods suitable for farming crops and residential landscaping sites. Firstly you must determine how serious the erosion problem is. Do this by thoroughly inspecting the affected area and surrounding erosion affected areas. Once you have determined how serious it may be this will give you an idea on what sot of method you will need to put into action. Sealants and compressors can sometimes help protect your hardscaped and softscapes areas.

Seek professional advice if you are ever unsure about what you are seeing. A method will be put in place once you have chosen the right erosion control product which is suited to your landscaping such as grid systems or water divertment systems.

Erosion Control Products to Help Your Property
Erosion control can be simply done on your landscaping or farm by implementing so well designed materials. There are various different sorts of erosion control products with your landscape maintenance duties and to stop and prevent erosion from occurring.

Fibre Mulch Mats

Fibre mulch mats are the most common source of erosion control which is seen and used on residential landscaping sites which are suffering from erosion. Fibre mulch mats are made of small fibre particles which interlock together with the mulch. They are designed in a mat from to they will blend in with all types of soil and landscape surfaces. Fibre mulch mats will keep moisture in your topsoil and prevent erosion from occurring by acting as a top coating and not letting water, wind or ice penetrate through if the moisture is not needed.
Erosion Control Matting

Erosion control matting is generally made from materials such as; jute, wood, coir, straw, mulches, fibers and other organic materials. Synthetic mesh straw strands are used to then hold the matting together. The purpose of he matting is solely to reduce the effect of erosion and help with the formation of vegetation on farming properties.

There are various types of erosion control matting which homeowners can use and implement into their monthly landscaping maintenance duties to prevent erosion from occurring. Erosion control matting is available in loads of different designs and sizes but they all offer the same qualities and benefits which include:

They conserve soil moisture.
They offer a realistic natural look to your landscape.
Erosion control matting will increase water infiltration.
They also will moderate your soils temperature.
Matting will absorb and break down the harsh impact of rainfall.

Hydroseeding Applications
Who can benefit from the hydro seeding or erosion control process? The list includes residential homeowner sites installing new lawns or renovations. Landscape contractors with commercial & residential turf or ground cover installations, landscape maintenance companies with turf renovations, landscape architect organizations with consulting recommendations. Golf courses with large fairway renovations and installations, municipalities with parks and special athletic turf requirements. Builder/developers with construction erosion control/slope stabilization situations. Including straw blowing, stilt fencing, fiber mats, straw waddle sec. type installations.

Hydroseeding Process
Four basic elements comprise the hydro mulch slurry. Seed, fertilizer, fiber mulch and tackifier. These elements are mixed with water as a slurry mix in a machine mounted mixing tank. Size of our mixing tanks range from 500 gallon trailer mounted to 3000 gallon semi truck mounted, depending on size of job. Under hydraulic pump pressure the slurry is applied through a hose or a mounted cannon, over desired areas. The gun mounted cannon is good for areas accessible to the equipment. Hose applications are ideal for back yard and hard to access locations for vehicles. Up to 1000 feet of hose can make even the most remote job accessible to the process.

Hydroseeding Concept
Hydro seeding or Hydro mulching is a common practical technique of seed establishment. The application lends itself to wide variety of locations and seed species including droughts tolerant lawn grasses, ground covers, wildflowers, meadow & clover mixes, native & specialty grasses and soil erosion blends. Seed mixes can be adjusted for factors and situations as site conditions, irrigation and dryland-native areas lend themselves.