What Are the Alternatives to PZ-27 Sheet Pile?
PZ-27, PZC-18, AZ19-700, ZZ19-700, ESZ19-700, and NZ19: the comparable sections we use when the section you spec'd isn't on the used market.
The PZ-27 is the godfather of sheet piling. Just about every piling contractor knows it and trusts how it drives. The section is fine. The problem is supply. On the used steel market, PZ-27 is hard to come by. Over our 10-plus years, we've sold PZ-27 and PZC-18 almost as fast as we could list them, and plenty never made it onto the site at all.
So when your design calls for PZ-27 and there's none available used, you have two choices: pay new-steel prices, or substitute. Most engineers will approve a comparable section once the numbers line up. Here are the alternatives we reach for most, and how they stack up.
| Section | Width / pair | Section modulus | Interlock | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PZ-27 | 36" (3') | 30.2 | Ball & socket | USA · Buy America |
| PZC-18 | 50" (4'2") | 33.5 | Ball & socket | USA · Buy America |
| AZ19-700 | 4.59' | 34.8 | Larssen | Europe |
| ZZ19-700 | 4.59' | 34.97 | Larssen | China |
| ESZ19-700 | 4.59' | 34.875 | Larssen | UAE |
| NZ19 | 4.59' | 35.08 | Larssen | USA (Nucor) · Buy America |
PZ-27 vs. PZC-18
The PZC-18 is the closest cousin to the PZ-27, and usually the first substitution we suggest. The PZ-27 runs 36 inches (3 feet) wide per pair with an elastic section modulus of 30.2. The PZC-18 is wider at 50 inches (4 feet 2 inches) per pair, with a section modulus of 33.5. Both are ball-and-socket sections that drive well, and both are melted and manufactured in the USA, so they satisfy Buy America. Some crews prefer the PZ-27 for repetitive driving; others take the PZC-18 for the extra wall footage per pair. You can't go wrong with either.
PZ-27 vs. AZ19-700
When the project allows an imported section, the AZ19-700 is a strong option. It uses a Larssen interlock, carries a section modulus of 34.8, and spans 4.59 feet per pair, more production per drive than the PZ-27's 3 feet. The trade-offs: the Larssen interlock isn't the PZ-27's ball-and-socket, and it's rolled in Europe, so it won't meet Buy America. If your spec is Buy America, stay with the PZC-18. If it isn't, the AZ19-700 is tough to beat on production.
PZ-27 vs. ZZ19-700
The ZZ19-700 is a Chinese-made Larssen section, close to the AZ19-700 at 4.59 feet per pair with a slightly higher 34.97 modulus, against the PZ-27's 3 feet and 30.2. You'll still find ZZ19-700 and other sizes moving through the used market, and crews who have driven them speak well of them.
PZ-27 vs. ESZ19-700
The ESZ19-700 is hard to tell from the ZZ19-700 or AZ19-700 without product data or mill stamps. It's a 4.59-foot Larssen pair at a 34.875 modulus, against the PZ-27's 3 feet and 30.2. You get the same production gains of more wall per pair, though some buyers still prefer the USA-made ball-and-socket. The ESZ19-700 is manufactured in the UAE and imported.
PZ-27 vs. NZ19
The NZ19 is the interesting one. Like the PZ-27, it's USA-made, by Nucor, so it qualifies for Buy America, but it uses a Larssen interlock and runs a 35.08 modulus on a 4.59-foot pair. If you need Buy America compliance and want more wall per drive than the PZ-27, the NZ19 is worth a look. The main difference from the PZ-27 is the interlock.
How to spec the right substitute
A good substitution comes down to three things: section modulus (does it meet or beat your design?), interlock compatibility (ball-and-socket vs. Larssen), and sourcing rules (Buy America or not). Get those right and an engineer will almost always approve it.
That's where we come in. Tell us the section you spec'd and your project's requirements, and we'll match you to comparable used sheet pile that's actually available, usually well under new-steel pricing. Call or text 1-800-541-7998, or send what you're after to sales@eiffeltrading.com.
Note: We are not engineers, and this should not be used as engineering data. Please consult a licensed professional engineer for all of your sheet pile design needs.