Clutch Welding

When sheet piles are required to prevent water penetration through the pile line there are several techniques that can be employed including a mastic applied to the pile clutch prior to driving or a hydrophilic material that will expand on contact with water to fill the pile clutch.

However the most effective available method is to apply a weld to the pile clutch after the piles have been installed.  Usually it will be a sealing weld and not a structural weld.  With the slackness in pile clutches varying between different manufacturers, the gap to be filled will also vary.

When the gap is beyond a reasonable amount for an economic number of weld runs we will weld a round bar or narrow plate in place to fill the gap.

When welding a clutch that is in water bearing strata the weld must be carried out from top to bottom.  If the reverse is tried there will be a risk of the weld leaking.

Further information is contained in the section on steel intensive basements