Sheet piles are sections of sheet steel with interlocking edges (or clutches) that are driven into the ground to provide earth retention and excavation support. Vibratory hammers are often used to install sheet piles, although if soils are too hard/dense impact hammers can be used.

Sheet pile walls have been used to support excavations for below-grade parking structures, basements, pump houses, and foundations, to construct cofferdams, and to construct seawalls and bulkheads. Permanent steel sheet piles are designed to provide a long service life.