Introduction of OPEN CELL SHEET PILE™
Introduction of OPEN CELL SHEET PILE™ (OCSP™)
OPEN CELL SHEET PILE™, and OCSP™ are trademarks of PND Engineers, Inc.
LESS STEEL, LOWER COST
Arch-based system utilizing interlock tensile strength for high stability with minimal steel. Backfill friction further enhances performance.
FAST & SIMPLE INSTALLATION (NO TIE RODS)
Straight sheet piles only. Simple installation—driving and backfilling—without complex corner details. Tailwall sheets can be added at any stage, even after construction, to accommodate increased load or height requirements.
PROVEN WORLDWIDE (250+ PROJECTS)
Widely used in the United States and globally across Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, with a strong track record of reliable performance.
Projects | PND Engineers
Main Benefits of OCSP™ System
Benefit 1: Reduction in Steel Weight
Up to 60% less steel than conventional tie-back walls—reducing cost and environmental impact.
Benefit 2: Shorter Construction Period
Simplified procedures and reduced material usage cut construction time by over 40%, reducing labor and total project costs.
Key factor：Elimination of tie rods
Simplified Backfilling Process
Example Project: 53% Less Steel, 41% Less Time
By adopting the OCSP™ system. A project at a cement plant marine facility achieved a 53% reduction in steel weight and a 41% shorter construction period.
Project outline
Application : Cement Plant Marine Facilities
Elongation : 220 m
Wall height : 11.5 m
Ground conditions : Loose to medium dense sand
Watch the Construction Video Here
Table: Summary of Specifications, Steel Quantity, and Construction Period by Method
| Item | Steel Pipe Sheet Pile Wall (Original Design) | OCSP™ Wall(As Buit) |
|---|---|---|
| Specifications (Main Structural Materials) |
Front wall: D=900 mm, t=14 mm, L=23.0 m（246 piles） Anchor piles: D=600 mm, t=12 mm, L=10.5 m（111 piles） Tie rods: L=27.0 m, D65, SS400 ＠2.0 m |
NS-SP-FXL: L=10.5-14 m（573 piles） NS-SP-FL: L=10-14 m（456 piles） |
| Steel Quantity | 2,032 t | 987 t（▼53%） |
| Construction Period | 12 months | 7 months（▼41%） |
Other benefits of OPEN CELL SHEET PILE™ system
1. Increased Wall Heights
Friction between the tail wall and surrounding ground enables taller walls without excessively large piles. Walls approaching 30 m in height have been successfully constructed using this method.
2. Better Constructability in Dense or Hard Soils
Minimal embedment depth may reduce construction constraints, allowing OCSP™ systems to be installed more efficiently in dense soils or on rock foundations, where conventional tie-back wall installation can be challenging.
3. Better Performance in Weak Soils
Unlike conventional anchored walls, OCSP™ system may provide adequate resistance in weak soils with minimal or no ground improvement by simply enlarging the tail wall.
4. Much improved load carrying capacity
OCSP™ system efficiently transfers soil pressure through the tail wall and interlock friction. It handles higher loads and heavier surcharges without additional steel or separate bearing structures. As an added benefit, no “no-loading” zone is required.
Customer Evaluation
Nippon Steel Technical Support
• Preliminary assessment of current design
• Recommendations on appropriate structure types
• Concept drawings
• Order-of-magnitude estimates of steel quantities and lead time
• Material selection based on project conditions
• Guidance on sheet pile fabrication and jointing
• Corrosion protection recommendations based on past projects
For inquiries, the following information is helpful (not required):
• Application
• General ground conditions
• Overall wall height
• Water depth
• Seismic conditions
Nippon Steel offers a wide range of technical solutions and can also introduce PND Engineers, Inc. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
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