Retaining walls

Silent piling and MOVAX sheet piling

Where noise and vibration matter, such as near homes, railways and sensitive structures, quieter installation methods can be considered as part of the retaining-wall design.

Excavator-mounted sheet piling
Completed sheet-pile retaining walls beside a canal

Silent methods depend on the site

No installation method suits every site. Whether a silent or low-disturbance approach is suitable depends on the ground conditions, the required pile lengths and sections, and the design of the wall. Some ground may require a different method, or a combination of methods, to reach the design depth. Where vibration limits apply, monitoring with defined trigger levels can form part of the method.

MOVAX side-grip piling

DAACE operates MOVAX equipment. A MOVAX unit is excavator-mounted and grips the sheet pile from the side, which can reduce the need for a separate crane on suitable sites. It is a vibratory system, so it is not vibration-free; the method is assessed against the site and the agreed limits. On the Grand Union Canal at Wembley, the planned installation combined a MOVAX side-grip system with impact driving where required.

King post walls as a quieter option

For some basements and excavations, a king post wall installed from existing ground level can meet a planning requirement for a silent method. At Lozells Road Mosque, council planning required silent piling and the team proposed a king post wall to meet that requirement.

Typical applications

  • Retaining walls and basements in residential and built-up areas
  • Residential projects, subject to access and equipment suitability
  • Canal-side and riverside sheet piling
  • Work near railways, highways and neighbouring properties

Information that helps us quote

  • Site address and access arrangements
  • Wall length, retained height and any proposed pile sections
  • Ground investigation information, if available
  • Any noise or vibration limits set by the client or planning conditions
  • Nearby buildings, services and sensitive structures
  • Intended programme

Every application is subject to a project-specific suitability assessment.

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