SECANT PILE WALL DESIGN FOR DEEP

EXCAVATIONS
Secant Pile Walls

Secant pile walls are formed by constructing intersecting reinforced concrete piles. The secant piles are reinforced with either
steel rebar or with steel beams and are constructed by either drilling under mud or augering. Primary piles are installed first with
secondary piles constructed in between primary piles once the latter gain sufficient strength. Pile overlap is typically in the order
of 3 inches (8 cm). In a tangent pile wall, there is no pile overlap as the piles are constructed flush to each other.

The main advantages of secant PILE WALLS

are:
1. Increased construction alignment flexibility.

2. Increased wall stiffness compared to sheet piles.

3. Can be installed in difficult ground (cobbles/boulders).
4. Less noisy construction.

The main disadvantages of secant pile walls are:

1. Verticality tolerances may be hard to achieve for deep piles.
2. Total waterproofing is very difficult to obtain in joints.
3. Increased cost compared to sheet pile walls.

Secant pile wall design when steel beams are used involves the use of weaker than normal concrete. The pile that is lagging the
wall between two main beams has to be examined for shear and compression arching.

Tangent Pile Wall

Tangent pile walls are a variation of secant pile walls and soldier pile walls. However, tangent pile walls are constructed with no
overlap and ideally one pile touches the other. Compared to secant pile walls, tangent pile walls offer the following advantages:

1. Increased construction alignment flexibility.

2. Easier and quicker construction.

The main disadvantages of tangent pile walls are:

1. They are can not be used in high groundwater tables without dewatering.
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Soldier Pile and Lagging Wall (Berliner Wall)

Soldier pile and lagging walls are some of the oldest forms of retaining systems used in deep excavations. These walls have
successfully being used since the late 18th century in metropolitan cities like New York, Berlin, and London. The method is also
commonly known as "Berliner Wall" when steel piles and timber lagging is used. Alternatively, caissons, circular pipes, or
concrete piles can also be used as soldier piles but at an increased cost. Timber lagging is typically used although reinforced
concrete panels can be also utilized for permanent conditions. Soldier pile and lagging walls are formed by:

1. Constructing soldier piles at regular intervals (2 to 4m, typical)

2. Excavating in small stages and installing lagging.
3. Backfilling and compacting the void space behind the lagging.

Moment resistance in soldier pile and lagging walls is provided solely by the soldier piles. Passive soil resistance is obtained by
embedding the soldier piles beneath the excavation grade. The lagging bridges and retains soil across piles and transfers the
lateral load to the soldier pile system.
Soldier pile and lagging walls are the most inexpensive systems compared to other retaining walls. They are also very easy and
fast to construct. The major disadvantages of soldier pile and lagging systems are:

1. They are primarily limited to temporary construction.

2. Cannot be used in high water table conditions without extensive dewatering.
3. Poor backfilling and associated ground losses can result in significant surface settlements.
4. They are not as stiff as other retaining systems.
5. Because only the flange of a soldier pile is embedded beneath subgrade, it is very difficult to control basal soil movements.

SECANT PILE WALL SECTIONS GENERATED

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Wickdrains software!
Wickdrains is a simple software program that estimate consolidation times and settlements with & without vertical drains
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compressible layers are present.

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DeepEX is the ultimate software for deep excavation design with umatched capabilities. Includes secant piles, soldier piles,
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engineers worldwide.

Inclinometer software
SiteMaster is our new modern inclinometer software. SiteMaster supports files from many inclinometer manufacturers such as
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out!
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Sign up for free software trials and to receive other valuable training materials. Join a list of more than 1000 professional
engineers worldwide who choose our products and services. Receive special offers and professional service!

 Expert services
Let us help you with our yearly technical support contracts. We help you get realistic bids in place, including preliminary
design services. Professional help and support from our expert engineers with personal training. All this for an unmatched flat
annual fee.

Steel-Connect!
Steel-Connect software. Easily design and evaluate many steel connections with US codes ASD, LRFD, LRFD 13th. Simple
and moment strut to beam connections. Reports can be exported in Word and PDF. Automatically determine the required steel
stiffeners, welds, and bolts.
 Wickdrains software!
Wickdrains is a simple software program that estimate consolidation times and settlements with & without vertical drains
(wick-drains). With this software you can optimize your consolidation times and accelarate construction times when
compressible layers are present.

Learn More

 DeepEX software
DeepEX is the ultimate software for deep excavation design with umatched capabilities. Includes secant piles, soldier piles,
sheet piling, diaphragm walls, and custom wall types. Includes slope stability and soil nailing. Trusted by more than 1000
engineers worldwide.

Inclinometer software
SiteMaster is our new modern inclinometer software. SiteMaster supports files from many inclinometer manufacturers such as
DigiTilt, Encardio, GeoKon, ITMsoil, SINCO, SISGEO, etc. Unmatched capabilties at an affordable price. Contact us to find
out!

Sign up for free trials!

Sign up for free software trials and to receive other valuable training materials. Join a list of more than 1000 professional
engineers worldwide who choose our products and services. Receive special offers and professional service!
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