Hot-Rolled Sheet Pile vs Cold-Rolled Sheet Pile

Tips & Advice

One of the strongest debates in the heavy civil and marine construction industries is over the use of hot-rolled or cold-formed (cold-rolled) sheet pile. Hot-rolled sheet piles typically have a ball-and-socket or Larssen interlock, while cold-rolled sheet piles have a bent-plate interlock.

Each type of sheet pile offers advantages depending on your application. To help determine the best type of sheet pile to use on your next project, we have researched the histories, production methods, and advantages of both hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheet pile.

Hot Rolled Sheet Pile

Hot-rolled sheet piles have been available for over a hundred years – the first iteration, flat sheet piles, evolved into the U-shape, then the Z-shape we are most accustomed to today. The Larssen interlocking system, patented in 1914, was the first interlock fabricated directly onto the sheet pile along the neutral axis. Prior to that, interlocks were added to sheet pile sections after the manufacturing process was complete.

Production

Hot-rolled steel has been pressed at temperatures over 1,700F, which makes it easier to shape and form. Here’s a look at the production process for hot-rolled steel sheet pile:

  1. A large rectangular beam, called a billet, is heated and flattened into a large roll
  2. The roll of steel is run through a series of rollers, still at extremely high temperatures, to achieve the desired dimensions and shape

Advantages

  1. More durable interlocks: This allows the sheets to be driven and pulled many times before the interlocks are worn out
  2. Better-suited for hard pile driving: The interlocks on hot-rolled sheet piles are also thicker and tighter than that of cold-rolled sheet pile. This gives the sheet piles greater strength to be driven into tough ground conditions
  3. Higher recycled steel content: LEED requirements sometimes dictate the use of recycled materials. Hot-rolled sheet piles have almost 100% recycled steel content, while cold-rolled sheet piles typically consist of around 80% recycled material
  4. More water-tight: Hot-rolled sheet piles perform better in seepage tests, due in large part to the tighter interlocks

Cold-Rolled Sheet Pile

Cold-rolled sheet pile is a newer addition to the steel sheet pile market: it was introduced in the 1970s.

Production

  1. A steel billet is heated and rolled in the same manner as hot-rolled sheet pile, but instead of being shaped into the flat, U, or Z sheet pile sections while hot, the coils are left to cool
  2. The hot-rolled coils are then run through a mill and shaped at room temperature into the final flat, U, or Z shape

Advantages

  1. More readily available: Cold-rolled sheet piles are produced at higher quantities than hot-rolled sheet piles, increasing the number of rolling dates to choose from. Typical production time is 2 weeks
  2. Cost-effective: Cold-rolled sheet pile is about 30-40% less expensive to produce than hot-rolled sheet pile
  3. Less expensive to transport: Due to the larger number of cold-Rolled sheet pile manufacturers, there is a higher chance that you can find a mill located nearby than if you were to purchase hot-rolled sheet piles. Additionally, the larger selection of cold-rolled sheet piles may allow you to find sections with a section modulus closer to your design specifications without a large increase in weight
  4. More flexibility in positioning: Cold-rolled sheet pile interlocks allow for a 25-degree rotation, rather than the 7-to-10-degree rotation allowed with hot-rolled sheet pile using ball-and-socket interlocks

Which Should You Use?

The answer: It depends. Properties like section modulus and steel grade for both types of sheet piles are similar. However, as mentioned above, hot-rolled sheet piles tend to be more water-tight than cold-rolled piles, which is a major consideration for bridge and marine construction projects.

On the other hand, many manufacturers only produce hot-rolled sheet piles in lengths up to 60 feet, and at 5 feet intervals. Other lengths are considered special orders. Hot-rolled sheet pile may also weigh more per foot, making it a more expensive product and more expensive to transport.

If you are still unsure which type of sheet pile to use for your project, consult your project engineer or designer and work together to determine the best solution.

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Eiffel Trading currently has several options for used sheet pile for sale (including PZ/PZC sheet pile, PS sheet pile, AZ/NZ/ZZ/Hoesch sheet pile, and cold-rolled sheet pile) as well as used combined wall systems available on our marketplace. Don’t see the type of sheet pile you need? Create a wanted listing for free today.

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