damwanden

Damwanden are sheet pile walls used in civil engineering to retain soil and water and to create watertight barriers along rivers, harbors, dikes, and construction sites. They consist of interlocking piles, typically steel but also concrete or vinyl in some projects, driven into the ground to form a continuous vertical wall. The interlocks provide continuity and help prevent seepage. Depending on the project, damwanden may be permanent installations or temporary structures for the duration of a construction works.

Construction and installation processes involve driving the sheet piles into the ground using vibratory or impact hammers, often with a crane. The wall is typically braced or anchored with tiebacks to resist earth and water pressures. For higher loads or greater depths, multiple wall lines, thicker piles, or a concrete cap may be used, and the system can be reinforced with additional supports as needed.

Applications include flood defenses, harbor and quay walls, riverbank stabilization, and cofferdams that create dry work zones within water bodies. In the Netherlands and other low-lying regions, damwanden are a common method for controlling water and soil interaction due to their relatively quick installation and adaptability to varying depths and loads.

Advantages and limitations: Damwanden offer fast installation, adjustable depth, and effective seepage control with the option of reuse or long-term permanence. Limitations include corrosion concerns for steel piles, performance sensitivity to soil conditions, and the need for proper bracing or anchoring designs to withstand hydrostatic and earth pressures.

History and development: The use of sheet piling dates from the 19th and early 20th centuries and has continued to evolve with advances in materials, installation equipment, and design methods for marine and flood defenses.