Analysis and Design of Hollow WPC Sheet Piling in Marine Projects

摘要

Traditional waterfront construction materials often have a multitude of problems due to the harsh environmental conditions. On the shoreline, retaining walls are commonly used to prevent shoreline erosion and maintain the earth’s stability. Traditional materials used are steel, reinforced concrete, and timber. Steel and reinforced concrete will deteriorate due to corrosion and spelling. Timber requires chemical treatment and can be attacked by marine borers. To respond to these major issues, several alternative materials have emerged for marine waterfront construction applications, these materials include plastic and composite materials. One viable option for retaining wall material is WPC. WPCs are a mixture of a thermoplastic resin and wood fibers. To date WPC has been used successfully in many applications including decking, railings, and fencing. The two main advantages of WPC are the material properties (e.g. durability, lightweight, recyclable) and its ability to be produced in a wide range of geometric configurations. These advantages can be utilized by applying the material to more innovative applications such as retaining walls in marine structures.