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Topics:
Soil Mechanics Cantilever sheet pile wall
Physical properties of Topics
soil
Lateral earth pressure z Cantilever sheet pile wall in cohesionless soil
Foundation analysis z Cantilever sheet pile wall in cohesive soil
and design
Bearing capacity
Foundation Cantilever sheet pile wall in cohesionless soil
Settlement Design length of sheet pile
Spread footing
Combined footing
Strap footing
Cantilever retaining
wall
Sheet pile wall
Structural design
Load calculation
Steel design
Concrete design
Masonry design
Timber design
Concrete
Link

Theory:
Calculating active earth pressure

The active and passive lateral earth pressure of soil can be written as

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a=qKa+2CKa, p=qKp+2CKp
Where C is cohesion of soil and q is surcharge and
Ka=tan2(45-/2), Kp= tan2(45+/2) are active and passive lateral earth pressure,

In cohesionless soil, C is zero. The active pressure at bottom of excavation can b

pa = h Ka+ q Ka,
Where, is unit weight of soil, h is the height of excavation.
The lateral forces Ha1 is calculated as
Ha1= Ka h2/2+q Ka h

Below the bottom of excavation, the sheet pile is subjected to active pressure on
pressure is larger than active pressure, the earth pressure on the earth side decrea
The depth a can be calculated as
a = pa / (Kp-Ka)
Where Kp is passive earth pressure coefficient. When the sheet pile rotates away
pressure on the excavation side. Therefore, the slope of BC is equal to (Kp-Ka

The lateral forces Ha2 can be calculated as

Ha2=pa*a/2

Derive equation for depth Z from Fx = 0

Summarize lateral forces, we have

Fx = Ha1+ Ha2-Hp1+Hp2=0

From the diagram, we recognize that lateral force Hp1 is area CDE and Hp2 is ar

Hp1-Hp2 = triangle CDE triangle DOG = triangle CFO triangle EFG = HCFO

Where HCFO = p1*Y/2, and HEFG = (p1+p2)*Z/2

Therefore the equation can be written as

Ha1+ Ha2 p1*Y/2+ (p1+p2)*Z/2 = 0
Solving the equation for Z, we have

The pressure at bottom of sheet pile on the excavation side p1 can be determined
(Kp-Ka)*Y

The pressure at the bottom of sheet pile on the earth side p2 can be determined fr
When the sheet pile rotates, there are active pressure on the excavation side and
pressure from bottom of excavation is (a+Y), the active pressure is Ka (a+Y).
side is (h+a+Y), the passive pressure is Kp (h+a+Y). Therefore,

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p2 = Kp (h+a+Y) - Ka (a+Y)

If there a surcharge, p2 = Kp (h+a+Y)+q Kp - Ka (a+Y)

Derive equation for Y from Mo = 0

Both p1 and p2 are function of Y, to determine Y, we can take moment about bot

Mo = Ha1*(h/3+a+Y)+ Ha2*(2a/3+Y) HCFO*Y/3+HEFG*Z/3 = 0

Or
Ha1*(h/3+a+Y)+ Ha2*(2a/3+Y) p1*Y2/6+(p1+p2)*Z2/3 = 0

The depth Y can be determined from a trial and error process.

Calculating embed depth D

Once Y is determined, the minimum embedded depth D is equal to Y+a. Usuall

to h+D*FS. FS is factor of safety from 1.2 to 1.4.
Selection of sheet pile section
The size of sheet pile is selected based on maximum moment and shear. Maxim
active to passive.
Vmax = Ha1+Ha2
Maximum moment locates at where shear stress equals to zero between C and D
Assume that maximum moment located at a distance y below point C, then
(Ha1+Ha2) = (Kp-Ka) y2/2. Therefore,
y = {2*(Ha1+Ha2)/[(Kp-Ka)]}1/2
The maximum moment is
Mmax = Ha1*(h/3+a+y)+ Ha2*(2a/3+y)- (Kp-Ka)*y3/6
The required section modulus is S = Mmax / Fb, Fb is allowable stress of sheet pi
The sheet pile section is selected based on section modulus
Design Procedure
1. Calculate lateral earth pressure at bottom of excavation, pa and Ha1.

pa = Ka h, Ha1=pa*h/2
2. Calculate the length a, and Ha2.

a = pa / (Kp-Ka), Ha2=pa*a/2
3. Assume a trial depth Y, calculate p1and p2.

p1 = (Kp-Ka)*Y,

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p2 = Kp (h+a+Y) - Ka (a+Y)
4. Calculate depth Z.

5. Let R = Ha1*(h/3+a+Y)+ Ha2*(2a/3+Y) p1*Y2/6+(p1+p2)*Z2/3

Substitute Y and Z into R, if R = 0, the embedded depth, D = Y + a.

If not, assume a new Y, repeat step 3 to 5.
6. Calculate the length of sheet pile, L = h+1.2*D
7. Calculate y = {2*(Ha1+Ha2)/[(Kp-Ka)]}1/2.
8. Calculate Mmax = Ha1*(h/3+a+y)+ Ha2*(2a/3+y)- (Kp-Ka)*y3/6
9. Calculate required section modulus S= Mmax/Fb.
10. Select sheet pile section.

Example 1: Design cantilever sheet pile in cohesionless soil.

Given:
Depth of excavation, h = 10 ft
Unit weight of soil, = 115 lb/ft3
Internal friction angle, = 30 degree
Allowable design stress of sheet pile, Fb = 32 ksi

Requirement: Design length of a cantilever sheet pile and select sheet pile sectio

Solution:
Design length of sheet pile:
Calculate lateral earth pressure coefficients:
Ka = tan (45-/2) = 0.333
Kp = tan (45-/2) = 3
The lateral earth pressure at bottom of excavation is
pa = Ka h = 0.333*115*10 = 383.33 psf
The active lateral force above excavation
Ha1 = pa*h/2 = 383.33*10/2 = 1917 lb/ft
The depth a = pa / (Kp-Ka) = 383.3 / [115*(3-0.333)] =1.25 ft
The corresponding lateral force
Ha2 = pa*a/2 = 383.33*1.25/2 = 238.6 lb/ft
Assume Y = 8.79 ft
p1 = (Kp-Ka)*Y = 115*(3-0.333)*8.79 = 2696 psf
p2 = Kp (h+a+Y)- Ka(a+Y)=115*3*(10+1.25+8.79)-115*0.333*(1.25+8.79)=
The depth
Z = [p1*Y-2*(Ha1+Ha2)]/(p1+p2) = [2696*8.79-2*(1917+238.6)]/(2696+6529) =
The value

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R = Ha1*(h/3+a+Y)+ Ha2*(2*a/3+Y)-p1*Y2/6+(p1+p2)*Z2/6
=1917*(10/3+1.25+8.79)+238.6*(2*1.25/3+8.79)2696*8.792/6 + (2696+6529)
=12.9 lb close to zero
The embedded depth D = 1.25 + 8.79 = 10.04 ft
The design length of sheet pile, L = 10 + 1.2*10.04 = 22.05 ft Use 22 ft

Select sheet pile section:

y = {2*(Ha1+Ha2)/[(Kp-Ka)]}1/2
={2*(1917+238.6)/[115*(3-0.333)]}1/2 = 3.75 ft
Mmax = Ha1*(h/3+a+y)+ Ha2*(2a/3+y)- (Kp-Ka)*y3/6
=1917*(10/3+1.25+3.75)+238.6*(2*1.25/3+3.75)-115*(3-0.333)*3.753/6 = 1437
Allowable bending stress
Fb=32 ksi
Required section modulus
S = Mmax/Fb = 11680*12/32000= 5.39 in3/ft
Select PMA22 section modulus per foot of wall, S = 5.4 in3/ft
Cantilever sheet pile wall in cohesive soil
Determine length of sheet piles for stability

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Theory:

For cohesive soil, friction angle, = 0, the sheet pile is supported by soil cohesio
sheet pile. Since = 0, lateral earth pressure distributes uniformly below excava

Calculating active earth pressure

The active and passive lateral earth pressure of soil can be written as
a=qKa-2CKa, p=qKp+2CKp
Where C is cohesion of soil and q is surcharge and
Ka=tan2(45-/2), Kp= tan2(45+/2) are active and passive lateral earth pressure,

When friction angle, = 0, Ka = Kp = 1, and a=q-2C and p=q+2C

If the unit weight of soil is , the surcharge q at bottom of excavation on the earth

The lateral pressure at top of excavation will be 2C. At a distance, d, below the
free-standing height of soil. The resultant force Ha=pa*h/2

Determine lateral earth pressure below excavation

Below the bottom of excavation, the sheet pile is subjected to both active and pa
2C, since q = 0 Therefore, the net pressure is
p1= p-a= 2C-(h-2C) = 4C-h

At the bottom of sheet pile, the sheet pile is subjected to active pressure on the ex
a=D-2C, and the passive pressure is p=(h+D)-2C. Therefore, the net pressu
p2= p-a= D+2C-[(h+D)-2C] = 4C+h

Derive equation for depth z from Fx = 0

Summarize horizontal forces, we have

Fx = Ha Hp1 + Hp2 = 0
Where Ha = pa (h-d)/2, and Hp1 - Hp2 = HBCFO + HEFG
Since HBCFO = p1*D, and HEFG = (p1+p2)*Z/2=8C*Z/2 =4C*Z
Ha p1*D +4C*Z= 0
Then,
Z= (p1*D- Ha)/4C (indicate revision)

Derive equation for embed depth D from Mo = 0

Taking moment about point O at bottom of sheet pile, we have

Mo = Ha*[(h-d)/3+D]- p1*D2/2+4C*Z2/3 = 0

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Structural design
The maximum shear occurs at point B, at the bottom of excavation and or at poin
excavation where shear equal to zero. Then,
Ha p1*y = 0, therefore, y = Ha/p1
The maximum moment,
Mmax=Ha*[(h-d)/3+y]- p1*y2/2
The sheet pile section can be selected based on maximum moment and shear.
Design procedure:

1. Calculate free standing height, d = 2C/

2. Calculate pa=(h-d)
3. Calculate Ha=pa*h/2
4. Calculate p1=4C-h
5. Assume a trial depth, D, Calculate Z=(p1*D-Ha)/(4C)
6. Calculate R=Ha[(h-d)/3+D]- p1*D2/2+4CZ2/3
7. If R is not close to zero, assume a new D, repeat steps 5 and 6
8. The design length of sheet pile is L=h+D*FS, FS=1.2 to 1.4.
9. Calculate y = Ha/ p1.
10. Calculate Mmax=Ha[(h-d)/3+y]- p1*y2/2
11. Calculate required section modulus S= Mmax/Fb.
12. Select sheet pile section.

Example 2: Design Cantilever sheet pile in cohesive soil.

Given:
Depth of excavation, h = 10 ft
Unit weight of soil, = 115 lb/ft3
Cohesion of soil, C = 500 psf
Internal friction angle, = 0 degree
Allowable design stress of sheet pile, Fb = 32 ksi

Requirement: Design length of sheet pile and select sheet pile section

Solution:
Design length of sheet pile:
The free standing height, d = 2C/ = 2*500/115 = 8.7 ft
The lateral pressure at bottom of sheet pile, pa = (h-d)=115*(10-8.7)=150 psf
Total active force, Ha=pa*h/2 = 150*10/2 = 750 lb/ft
Assume D = 2.35 ft, p1=4C-h=4*500-115*10 = 850 psf
The depth, Z=(p1*D-Ha)/(4C)= (850*2.77-750)/(4*500) = 0.624 ft
R=Ha[(h-d)/3+D]- p1*D2/2+4CZ2/3
=750*[(10-8.7)/3+2.35]-850*2.352/2+2*500*0.6242/2 = 0.9 Close to zero
The length of sheet pile, L = 10+1.3*2.35 = 13.1 ft Use 14 ft

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The maximum moment occurs at y = Ha/ p1=750/850 = 0.882 ft

The maximum moment,
Mmax=Ha[(h-d)/3+y]- p1*y2/2 = 750*[(10-8.7)/3+0.882]-750*0.8822/2=0.657 k
The required section modulus, S= Mmax/Fb=0.657*12/32=0.25 in3/ft
Select sheet pile section, PS28, S = 1.9 in3/ft
Topics
z Cantilever sheet pile wall in cohesionless soil
z Cantilever sheet pile wall in cohesive soil

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