Sheet Piling
Sheet piling is commonly used to create retaining walls that resist lateral soil pressure in both temporary and permanent applications. These walls rely on horizontal support to maintain stability, particularly in deep excavations or load-bearing environments.
Vulcan Earth Anchors provide a fast, cost-effective alternative to traditional propping or tie-back systems. Whether used for temporary works during construction or permanent structural support, ground anchors deliver reliable resistance against horizontal forces, without the need for bulky internal props or external buttressing.
Retaining walls made from sheet piles are critical in infrastructure projects involving:
Excavations
Cuttings
Basement walls
Flood defences
Highway embankments
Coastal protection works
Providing horizontal restraint using ground anchors reduces the need for obstructive internal props—maximising working space and enabling faster, safer construction.
Why Use Vulcan Earth Anchors?
Rapid Installation: Anchors are percussion-driven directly into the ground using portable tools or excavator-mounted equipment—no excavation or curing required.
No Internal Obstruction: By installing anchors externally and tying them back to the wall face, you eliminate internal props, maximising space for excavation and reducing interference.
Permanent or Temporary Support: Vulcan Anchors are suitable for both long-term and short-term applications. They can remain in situ permanently or be removed and reused.
Adaptable to Ground Conditions: Anchor size, depth, and layout can be tailored based on soil type, load requirements, and project design parameters.
Low Environmental Impact: No concrete, no spoil removal, and minimal surface disturbance—ideal for sensitive or constrained environments.
How Our Products Are Used for This Application
Anchor Application
Vulcan Earth Anchors are installed through the sheet pile wall (or just behind it), then tensioned and load-locked to apply horizontal restraint. They act as tiebacks to hold the wall against lateral forces from retained soil.
Installation Method
Percussion-Driven using drive rods with hydraulic or handheld tools
Anchors are driven to depth, then load-locked by pulling the tendon to rotate the anchor and create resistance
A connection plate or eye is fixed to the wall for tensioning and load transfer
No curing, concrete, or excavation is needed
Design Considerations
Anchor Load Requirements: Defined by wall height, retained material, and surcharge loads
Ground Conditions: Soil type, groundwater presence, and bearing strength affect anchor selection
Installation Depth and Angle: Calculated to optimise pull-out resistance and anchor efficiency
Anchor Layout: Spacing and embedment designed to evenly distribute loads and minimise deflection
Corrosion Protection: Galvanised or stainless options for long-term durability
All projects should include on-site pull testing to validate performance against design loads
Which Products Are Used for This Application
Larger ground anchors are used in sheet piling typically because they provide the higher load capacities needed to resist significant lateral forces from retained soil, water pressure, and surcharge. Their increased size allows for deeper embedment and improved performance in variable or weak ground conditions.
This makes them ideal for stabilising sheet pile walls in both temporary and permanent works, without the need for internal props or extensive excavation. Larger anchors also allow for more robust load transfer through bar or tendon systems, ensuring long-term reliability in demanding structural applications.
FAQs
01
Can Vulcan Earth Anchors replace traditional props in deep excavations?
Yes. Ground anchors can be installed behind the sheet pile wall to provide the required horizontal support, removing the need for internal props and freeing up working space.
02
Are these anchors permanent or removable?
Both options are available. Vulcan Anchors can be installed as permanent structural supports or removed after use in temporary works, depending on the project’s needs.
03
What size anchor do I need for a retaining wall?
Anchor size depends on load requirements, wall height, and soil conditions. For sheet pile applications, we typically recommend larger anchors. Our team can advise based on project-specific load calculations.
Get to know more about the product
The Vulcan Earth Anchor range was designed and developed by Anchor Systems (International) Ltd to provide a simple, reliable, and cost-effective ground anchoring solution for a wide variety of applications.
Our brochure includes detailed product information, performance data, installation guidance, and examples of real-world uses across multiple sectors.
If you require technical specifications or design advice for your specific project, please get in touch with our team.
Experts in innovative foundation systems
From rail and highways to solar farms and temporary structures, Anchor Systems deliver engineered ground anchoring and foundation solutions that simplify installation and reduce environmental impact.
Zero concrete, zero waiting time
Easy installation with hand-held or hydraulic tools
Reusable, relocatable, and sustainable
Designed, tested, and manufactured in the UK