Solution to Assignment 4 - Cofferdam Design by FREE EARTH SUPPORT METHOD

Determine the prop load F, and depth of embedment D by Free Earth Method for the cofferdam as shown in the Figure.

(i) Net Soil Pressure Diagram

Earthe Pressure Coefficient and Diagram Pao
Unit weight of soil g 19 kN/m3 0.5 m 6.4 kPa
Height to be retained 6.5 m P
Depth of prop from the top 0.7 m
Surcharge 15 kPa 6.5 m

Ka = 0.450 62.33 kPa

Kp = 2.750 Pac
Z
Pao =Ka*q =0.45*15 6.75 kPa D O
Pac =(15+19*6.5)*0.45 62.33 kPa
Steel Sheet Piling x
Cofferdam

2 marks
( ii ) Depth of point of zero net pressure, O is given by: Kp*g * Z = Pac + Ka*g*g
2.75*19*Z = 0.45*[19*(6.5+z)+15]
Z= 1.426 m 1 mark

Moment of Active Pressure about the prop

=2.75*6.5*(6.5/2-0.7)+ 111.881 kN-m/m
(62.33-6.75)*6.5/2*(6.5*2/3-0.7)+ 656.248 kN-m/m `
62.33*1.426/2*(6.5+1.426*1/3-0.7) 278.904 kN-m/m
Total Overturning Moment 1047.03 kN-m/m

Stability
Factor of Safety for moment equilibrium = 1.00
Moment of Passive Pressure about the prop
=1/2*((2.75-0.45)*19*x*x*(6.5+1.426+2/3*x -0.7)
= 157.893 x2 + 14.567 x3
Moment Equilibrium gives 1047.03 157.893 x2 + 14.567 x3
Try x = 2 748.103
2.5 1214.432
2.34 1051.197 Close enough and > 1047.03
Therefore x = 2.34 m

(iii) Prop Load

Total Active Force =6.75*6.5+ = 43.875 kN/m
(62.33-6.75)*6.5/2+ = 180.619 kN/m
62.33*1.426/2 = 44.444 kN/m
Total Active Force = 268.938 kN/m

Total Passive Force =1/2*(2.75-0.45)*19*2.34^2 = 119.642 kN/m

Horizontal Force Equilibrium gives: P+ 119.642 = 132.937

Prop Load P = 149.296 kN/m x 3.2 m
Or 477.75 kN for each strut 6 marks
(iv) Depth of Embedment
Moment of Active Pressure about the prop = 1047.033 kN-m/m
For a Factor of Safety of 2.0, the total moment of Active Force = 2094.067 kN-m/m

Moment of Passive Pressure about the prop

2094.067 = 157.893 x2 + 14.567 x3

Try x = 3 1814.333
3.5 2558.729
3.21 2108.750 Close enough and > 2094.067
Therefore x = 3.21 m

Therefore the depth of penetration/embedment = D = Z + x =1.426 + 3.21 = 4.64 m 3 marks

(v) Maximum Bending Moment and Shear in Waling

Max. BM = 0.100wL2 = 0.100*149.296*3.2^2 = 152.88 kN-m 0.25 mark
Max. Shear = 0.500*w*L = 0.500*149.296*3.2 = 261.27 kN 0.25 mark