Sheet Pile Structures

Depending on the way the retaining structure is built and analyzed, it can be divided
into three categories:
1. Cantilever Sheet Pile
2. Anchored Sheet Pile
3. Braced Sheet Pile

Cantilever Sheet Pile

Case 1 (Sheet Pile Penetrating Sandy Soils)

A few key points that define the lateral earth pressure in Figure 8.7:
1. Point A to Point D (p1): Active earth pressure on the right hand side.
2. Point D to Point H (p3): (Passive earth pressure on the left hand side) - (Active
earth pressure on the right hand side).
3. Point G (p4): (Passive earth pressure on the right hand side) - (Active earth
pressure on the left hand side).
4. Point E (L3): Can be determined from equation derived in 2.
5. Point F (L5): To be determined.

Unknowns: D and L5

Equations: ∑F x =0

∑M B =0

The actual depth of penetration is increased by 20%~30% for construction.

To calculate maximum bending moment:

1. Determine point of zero shear force: let P (area of ACDE) = Shaded area E-F”
2. Moment can be determined at the section of zero shear force.
Case 2 (Sheet Pile Penetrating Clay)

A few key points that define the lateral earth pressure in Figure 8.7:
1. Point A to Point D (p1): Active earth pressure on the right hand side.
2. Point F to Point I (p6): (Passive earth pressure on the left hand side) - (Active earth
pressure on the right hand side).
3. Point G (p7) : (Passive earth pressure on the right hand side) - (Active earth
pressure on the left hand side).
4. Point E (L3): Can be determined from equation derived in 2.
5. Point G (L4): To be determined

Unknowns: D and L4

Equations: ∑F x =0

∑M B =0

To calculate maximum bending moment:

1. Determine point of zero shear force
2. Moment can be determined at the section of zero shear force.
Anchored Sheet Pile
The two basic methods of designing anchored sheet pile walls are (a) the free earth
support method and (b) the fixed earth support method.

Dfree earth < Dfixed earth

Case 1. (Free earth support method for penetration of sandy soil)

Unknowns: D and T

Equations: ∑F x =0

∑M o =0

The actual depth of penetration is increased by 30%~40% for construction.

Anchors
Ultimate Resistance of Tiebacks

In Sand:

Pu = πdlσ ' v K tan φ

K = K0 if the concrete grout is placed under pressure
Lower limit of K is Rankine Ka

In Clay:

Pu = πdlca
2
ca = adhesion ≈ cu
3

Factor of Safety = 1.5-2.0 may be used over ultimate resistance to obtain the
allowable resistance offered by each tieback.
Braced Cut
♦ To avoid considerable settlement or bearing capacity failure of nearby structure.
♦ To prevent water seepage into excavation

Pressure Envelop for Braced Cut Design

The struts limit lateral wall movement, Ka not mobilized, P > Pa by 10% ~15%.
After observation of several braced cuts, Peck (1969) suggested using design pressure
envelops (apparent pressure envelop)

≥ 0.3 γH

γh/cu > 4 γh/cu <4

Limitations:
1. Pa may depend on construction sequence.
2. They apply when H ≥ about 6 m.
3. G.W.T. below the bottom of excavation
4. Sand is drained (uw =0)
5. Clay is undrained (uw not considered)

Cuts in Layered Soil

Case (a)
1 ⎛1 ⎞
C av = ⎜ γ s K s H s tan φ s + H c n' C u ⎟
2

H ⎝2 ⎠

Ks = K for sand layer (≈ 1)

n' = a coefficient of progressive failure, 0.5 ~1.0, average 0.75.

Case (b)
1
C av = (C1 H 1 + C 2 H 2 + K)
H

1
γ av = (γ 1 H 1 + γ 2 H 2 + K)
H
Braced Cut Design

Strut
The strut force can be determined from (b) above.

Sheet Pile
Maximum moment on sheet pile can be determined from (b) above.

Wales
Treated as continuous horizontal members if they are spliced properly.
Or conservatively treated as though they are pinned at the struts.
( A)( s 2 )
At level A M max =
8
( B1 + B2 )( s 2 )
At level B M max =
8
(C1 + C 2 )( s 2 )
At level C M max =
8
( D)( s 2 )
At level D M max =
8
Stability of Open Cut

Bottom Heaving of a Cut in Clay

Terzaghi (1943)

5.7C u B1
FS = ≥ 1 .2
γHB1 − C u H

Chang (2000)

⎛ 0.2 B" ⎞ C u H
5.14C u ⎜1 + ⎟+
⎝ L ⎠ B'
FS = ≥ 1.5
γH + q
B’ = T if T ≤ B/ 2 ; B’ = B/ 2 if T > B/ 2 ;
B” = 2 B’
Piping of a Cut in Sand

icr
FS = ≥ 1.5
imax(exit )

Uplifting of a Cut in Inter-Layer

γ sat H 1
FS = ≥ 1 .2
γ w ( H 1 + ΔH w )

H1 Impervious

Uf = H1+ΔHw

Depth of Penetration

Pp l p
FS = ≥ 1.5
Pa l a − M s lp la
Pp Pa
Global Stability of Anchored Sheet Pile

Mr
FS = ≥ 1 .5
Mo