23 - Sheet-piling Retaining Walls

01. Free-Earth method for cantilevered walls granular soils.

02. Free-Earth method cantilevered walls in cohesive soils.

03. Free-Earth method for anchored walls in granular soils.

04. Free-Earth method for anchored walls in cohesive soils.

560
**Sheet-pile Wall-01: Free-Earth for cantilevered walls in granular soils.
(Revision: February 18, 2009)

Select an appropriate steel sheet-pile section and its total length L to retain a medium
sand backfill for the conditions shown below without an anchoring system.

Solution:

Step 1. Determine the pressures on the cantilevered wall.

580
Step 2. Determine the depth of embedment D.

The procedure will follow the following steps:

a) From statics, find the dimension z shown in the figure of previous page,
b) Assume a value for D,
c) Calculate z,
d) Use z to check if M = 0; adjust D for convergence.

(1) FH = 0
Area ( BAA1 ) + Area ( AA1 A2 F ) + Area ( ECJ ) Area ( EA1 A2 ) = 0
1 D z D
Hp A1 + ( p A1 + p A 2 ) + ( pE + pJ ) ( pE + p A 2 ) = 0
2 2 2 2
Solving for z ,

z=
( pE pA1 ) D Hp1
pE + pJ
( 2) M = 0 about any po int, say F ,
D2 z2 D2 D2
( H ) pA1 D + + ( pA1 ) + ( pE + pJ ) ( pE + pA2 ) + ( pA2 pA1 ) = 0
1 H
2 3 2 6 6 6

Try D = 10.5 feet ,

p A1 = 435 psf ,
p A 2 = 620 psf ,
pJ = 14 , 860 psf
pE = 3 ,860 psf

therefore , z =
( 3,860 435)(10.5) (14 )( 435) = 1.60 feet
14 , 860 + 3 ,860
(10.5) + 620 435 (10.5)
2 2
1
F 2
M = (14 )( 435 )(10 .5 + 4 .67 ) + ( 435 ) ( )
2 6
(1.60 ) (10.5)
2 2

+ ( 3 , 860 + 14 ,860 )
( 3, 860 + 620 ) = 730 ft lb
6 6
This value is close to zero, therefore adopt D = 10.5 feet .
Increase D by 30% as a factor of safety , D = 13.5 feet .
Step 3. Determine the maximum moment Mmax (point of zero shear).

581
 pA1 435
y= = = 1.06 feet
' ( K p Ka ) ( )( )
65 6 . 29
1 1
P1 = pA1 H = ( 435 )(14 ) = 3 , 040 lb
2 2
1 1
P2 = p A1 y = ( 435 )(1.0 ) = 218 lb
2 2
also,
1 '
2
( )
K p K a x 2 = P1 + P2

2 ( P1 + P2 ) 2 ( 3 , 040 + 218 )
x2 = = = 16 x = 4.0 feet
' ( K p Ka ) ( 65)( 6.29 )
1
( )
P3 = ' K p K a ( 4 ) = 3 , 280 lb
2
2

M max = P1l1 + P2 l2 P3 l3
where ,
H
l1 = + y+ x
3
2y
l2 = +x
3
x
l3 =
3
14 2 (1.0 ) 4.0
M max = P1l1 + P2 l2 P3 l3 = ( 3 , 040 ) + 1.0 + 4.0 + ( 218 ) + 4.0 ( 3 , 280 )
3 3 3
M max = 29 , 300 + 1, 030 4 , 360 = 26 , 000 ft lb = 312 in kips

582
583
If instead , an Ex Ten 45 steel sec tion is used , f s = 29 ksi
M max ( 26 , 000 )(12 )
The required sec tion mod ulus S = = = 10.8 in3
fs ( 29 , 000 )
Use a MP 116 that provides a S = 10.7 in3 at a lower cos t .
This is shown plotted with the red lines.

Step 5. Determine the sheet-pile length L.

The total sheet-pile length L = H + D = 14.0 + 13.5 = 27.5 feet

584
**Sheet-pile Wall-02: Free-Earth for cantilevered walls in cohesive soils.
(Updated: 9 April 2008)

Determine the required length L of steel sheet-piles for the site conditions shown below
for an unanchored wall.

= 120 pcf
' = 60 pcf
c = 750 psf
= 0

Solution:

585
Step 1. Determine all the pressures on the cantilevered wall.

Step 2. Apply a Factor of Safety = 1.5 to the cohesive strength of the soil.

750 750
F S = 1 .5 = c red u ced = = 500 psf
c redu ced 1 .5
q u = 2 c = 2 (5 0 0 ) = 1 , 0 0 0 p s f
T h e fin a l s tr e n g th ( lo n g te r m s tr e n g th o f th e s o il ) b e c o m e s ,
c = 0
= 27
T h e c r itic a l h e ig h t H c is ,
4c 4 (5 0 0 )
H = = = 1 6 .7 fe e t > 1 4 fe e t
c
(1 2 0 )

586
Step 3. Determine the wall pressures.
2c 2 ( 500 )
H o = po int of zero pressure = = = 8.3 feet
(120 )
H H o = 14.0 8.3 = 5.7 feet
1 ) H 2c = (120 )(14.0 ) 2 ( 500 ) = 680 psf
2 ) 4c H = 4 ( 500 ) (120 )(14.0 ) = 320 psf
3 ) 4c + H = 4 ( 500 ) + (120 )(14.0 ) = 3 , 680 psf

Step 4. Determine the depth of embedment D.

The procedure will follow the following steps:

a) From statics, find the dimension z shown in the figure of slide #12,
b) Assume a value for D,
c) Calculate z,
d) Use z to check if M = 0; adjust D for convergence.

(1) FH = 0
Area ( O' A' A ) + Area ( CJE ) Area ( BAFE ) = 0
1 8c ( z )
( H 2c )( H H o ) + ( 4c H ) D = 0
2 2
Solving for z ,
2 D ( 4c H ) ( H 2c )( H H o )
z=
8c
( 2) M = 0 about any po int, say F ,
1 H H 8cz 2 D2
M F = 2 ( H 2c )( H H o ) D + 3 o + 6 ( 4c H ) 2 = 0

The method of solution is as follows,

1) Assume a depth of penetration D,
2) Calculate the value of z (from FH = 0),
3) Substitute z into the MF = 0 equation and check to see if it is zero,
4) Adjust D and reiterate if necessary.

587
 2 D ( 4c H ) ( H 2c )( H H o ) 2 ( 320 ) D 5.7 ( 680 )
z= = = 0.16 D 0.97
8c 8 ( 500 )
and
H Ho
( H 2c )( H H o ) D + 8cz 2
1 D2
MF = + ( 4c H ) =0
2 3 6 2

=
( 680 )( 5.7 )( D + 1.90 ) 8 ( 500 ) z 2
+ =
320 D 2
=0
2 6 2
1938 ( D + 1.90 ) + 666.7 z 160 D = 0
2 2

160 D 2 1938 ( D + 1.90 )

z = 2

666.7

Try D = 14.0 feet ,

therefore , z = ( 0.16 )(14.0 ) ( 0.97 ) = 1.27 feet
Check M F =0

(160 )(14.0 ) (1, 938 )(14.0 + 1.90 ) = 0.82

2

z 2
=
666.7
z = 0.9 feet < 1.27 feet not satisfactory

Try D = 14.5 feet ,

therefore , z = ( 0.16 )(14.5 ) ( 0.97 ) = 1.35 feet
Check M F =0

(160 )(14.5) (1, 938)(14.5 + 1.90 ) = 2.79

2

z 2
=
666.7
z = 1.65 feet > 1.27 feet acceptable.

Step 5. Determine the required sheet-pile length L.

The total sheet-pile length L is, L = H + D = 14 + 14.5 = 28.5 feet.

588
** Sheet-pile Wall03: Free-Earth Method f/anchored walls in granular soils.
(Updated: 9 April 2008).

Select an appropriate steel sheet-pile section and its total length L to retain a sand
backfill for the conditions shown below without an anchoring system.

Sand backfill :
= 110 pcf
' = 60 pcf
= 34 K a = 0.28

In situ medium sand :

' = 65 pcf
' = 34.5 K a' = 0.26 and K 'p = 3.85

590
Solution:

Step 1. Determine the pressures on the wall.

pB = H1 K a = (110 )(10 )( 0.28 ) = 308 psf

pC 1 = pB + H w K a = ( 308 ) + ( 60 )( 26 )( 0.28 ) = 308 + 437 = 745 psf
pC 2 = [ H1 + H w ] K a' = (110 )(10 ) + ( 60 )( 26 ) ( 0.26 ) = 692 psf

( )
pE = D1 K p K a = ( 65 ) D1 ( 6.37 ) = 414 D1
Determine the pressure on the wall from the surcharge,
a ) above point C : psurcharg e = 300 K a = ( 300 )( 0.28 ) = 84 psf
b ) below point C : psurcharg e = 300 K a' = ( 300 )( 0.26 ) = 78 psf
Determine the pressure on the wall due to the line load ,
K 4 .0
using Lecture #18 theory, m = = = 0.111
H 36
pH = ( 0.55 ) Q = ( 0.55 )( 2 , 000 ) = 1,100 lbs
with its resultant at = ( 0.60 ) H = ( 0.60 )( 36 ) = 21.6 feet from the dredge line
Locating the point y,

y=
pC 2
=
( 692 ) = 1.67 feet
' ( K 'p K a' ) ( 65)( 6.37 )
The resultant forces from the pressures are,
1 1
P1 = H 1 pB = (10 )( 308 ) = 1, 540 plf
2 2
P2 = H w pB = ( 26 )( 308 ) = 8 , 008 plf
1 1
P3 = H w ( pC 1 pB ) = ( 26 )( 745 308 ) = 5 , 681 plf
2 2
1 1
P4 = ypC 2 = (1.67 )( 692 ) = 578 plf
2 2
Psurcharg e( + C ) = ( H 1 + H w ) psurcharg e = ( 36 )( 84 ) = 3 , 024 plf
Psurcharg e( C ) = Dpsurcharg e = ( D1 + 1.67 )( 78 ) = 78 D1 + 130 plf
1 1
P5 = pDE D1 = ( 414 D1 ) D1 = 207 D12
2 2

591
Step 2. Determine the depth of penetration D.

Solve for D using M ap = 0,

Force (lb) Arm (ft) Moment (ft-lb)
1) 1,540 - 2.33 -3,588
2) 8,008 +14.00 +112,112
3) 5,681 +18.33 +104,133
4) 578 +26.56 +15,930
Sur(+C) 3,024 +9.00 +27,216
D + 1.67 + 27.0
Sur(-C) 78D1 +130 + 1 39D12 +2,236D1 +3,619
2
Line-load 1,100 +5.40 +5,940
2D
Passive
3
(
207D12 - 27+1.67+ 1 - 138D13 + 5 , 935 D12 )
5) ( +M ) = 39 D12 + 2 , 236 D1 + 268, 950
( -M ) = 138D + 5 ,935D
3
1
2
1 + 3 , 588
but ( +M ) = ( M )
39 D12 + 2 , 236 D1 + 268 , 950 = 138 D13 + 5 , 935 D12 + 3 , 588
D13 + 42.72 D12 16.20 D1 1, 923 = 0 D1 = 6.50 feet

The total depth of penetration D = D1 + y = 6.50 + 1.67 = 8.2 feet.

Apply a Factor of Safety of about 30% to the calculated depth D = 11.0 feet.

Step 3. Determine the tie rods tension T.

T = Active forces Passive forces

= 1,540 + 8,008 + 5,681 + 578 + 3,024 + (78)(6.5) + 1,100 (207)(6.5)2 = 11,870 lb

Apply a Factor of Safety of about 30% to the tie rod tension, so T = 16,000 lb.

Step 4. Determine the maximum moment Mmax in the sheet-pile.

Let the point of zero shear be at a distance x below the low water level.

1
(16.8) x 2
11, 870 = 1, 540 + 1,100 + 308 x +
2
x 2 + 37 x 1,100 = 0 x = 20 feet 592
 The moments are,
(1 ) (1, 540 )( 20 + 3.33) = 35 , 900

( 308)( 20 )
2

(2) - = 61, 600

2
(16.8)( 20 ) ( 20 ) =
2

(3) - 22 , 400
2
(4) + ( 11,870 )( 20 + 1.0 ) = + 249 , 000
( 5 ) - ( 1,100 )( 20 + 10 14.4 ) = 17 ,150
Maximum moment = +112,000 ft-lb = 112 ft-kip = 1,340 in-kip

Step 5. Select the sheet-pile section.

Selecting the USS Ex-Ten 50 steel provides an allowable stress = 32 ksi. The required
section modulus S is,
M 1, 340 in kips
S = max = 2
= 42 in3
f all 32 kips / in

Initially, assume that there is no moment reduction due to the flexibility of the steel
sheet-piling. Therefore, select a section MZ-38, that has a S = 46.8 in3 / foot of wall.

593
594
Step 6. Apply Rowes Theory of Moment Reduction.

(1) Select the appropriate moment reduction curve (see next slide #12)
corresponding to the relative density of the sand. For this case, the curve for
medium compact and coarse grained sand is used.

(H + D)
4

(2) Calculate the ratio P =

EI
M d e s ig n
for the sheet-pile sections being considered. Obtain the ratio,
M m a x im u m

From the curves (next slide) calculate the design moment and the stress for the sheet
pile that was selected on page 472.

( H + D) ( 36 + 11)(12 )
4 4

=
3 , 373
P= =
( 30 )(10 ) I
6
EI I

595
 Pile Sections
M Z-38 M Z-32 M Z-27
Section m odulus S (per foot) 46.8 in 3 38.3 in 3 30.2 in 3
M om . of Inertia I (per foot) 280.8 in 4 220.4 in 4 184.2 in 4
3 , 373
P = 12.0 15.3 18.3
I
R atio = M de sign / M m ax . 0.73 0.67 0.62
M design = R atio( M m ax . ) 980 in-kip 900 in-kip 833 in-kip
= Ratio (1,340)
M design 980 in-kip 900 in-kip 833 in-kip
Stress =
S 46 . 8 in 3 38 . 3 in 3 30 . 2 in 3
21.0 ksi 23.5 ksi 27.6 ksi

596
Based on Rowes Theory of Moment Reduction, the following sheet-pile selections may
be used,

MZ-38 Regular carbon grade steel, fs = 21.0 ksi < 25 ksi

MZ-32 Regular carbon grade steel, fs = 23.5 ksi < 25 ksi

MZ-27 Ex-Ten 45 grade steel, fs = 27.6 ksi < 29 ksi

Step 7. Establish the length of the steel sheet-pile L.

L = H1 + Hw + D = 10 feet + 26 feet + 11 feet = 47 feet.

597
** Sheet-pile Wall04: Free-Earth Method anchored walls in cohesive soils.
(Updated: 9 April 2008).

Find the anchor force T and the steel sheet-pile length L for these conditions,

Sand backfill
=115 pcf and ' =60 pcf
=32 K a = 0.33

In-situ soft clay

=120 pcf and '=65 pcf
c=400 psf
=0 K a = 1.0

In situ medium soft clay

'=65 pcf
c=850 psf
=0 K a = 1.0

Solution:

Step 1. Introduce a Factor of Safety for the cohesion.

The shear strength of the cohesion is typically reduced through a Factor of Safety of
between 1.5 to 2.0; let us use FS = 1.7,
cmeasured 850 psf
creduced = = = 500 psf
FS 1.7

600
 Step 2. Determine the pressures on the wall.

p1 = HK a = (115 )( 6 )( 0.33) = 228 psf

pB a = ( H H B ) K a = (115 )( 6 )( 0.33) + ( 60 )( 2.5 )( 0.33) = 228 + 50 = 278 psf
pB b = ( H H B ) 2c = (115 )( 6 ) + ( 60 )( 2.5 ) ( 2 )( 400 ) = 40 psf
pC c = pB b + H B = 40 + ( 65 )(11.5 ) = 788 psf
pC d = H 2c = (115 )( 6 ) + ( 60 )( 2.5 ) + ( 65 )(11.5 ) ( 2 )( 500 ) = 588 psf
pC f = 2c = 2 ( 500 ) = 1, 000 psf
pC net = pC f pC d = 1, 000 588 = 412 psf

Step 3. Find the resultant forces on the wall.

(115)( 6 ) ( 0.33) = 684 plf

2
1
P1 = H 2 K a =
2 2
1 1
P2 = ( p1 + pB a )( H a H B ) = ( 228 + 278 )( 2.5 ) = 633 plf
2 2
1 1
P3 = ( pB b + pC c )( H B ) = ( 40 + 788 )(11.5 ) = 4 , 760 plf
2 2
and the c.g. at 8.5 ft + 7.48 ft = 15.98 ft from point A.
P4 = 412 D

Step 4. Find the depth of embedment D.

From statics, the following conditions must be satisfied,

(1) F = P + P + P P T = 0
H 1 2 3 4

( 2 ) M ( about the anchor tie rod ) = 0

D
ap
M = ( 684 )(1) ( 633 )(1 + 1 .29 ) ( 4 , 760 )(15 .98 5 .0 ) + 412 D 2 + 15 = 0

601
Solving the two equations,
D 2 + 30 D 257.4 = 0
D = 7.0 feet

The required length L of the sheet-piling is,

L= H + D = 20 + 7 = 27 feet

Step 5. Find the tensile force in the anchor tie rod T.

Using the equation for F H = 0,

T = 6 , 077 ( 412 )( 7 ) 3 , 200 lb per foot
If the anchors are spaced every 20 feet, each anchor carries,
A = T s = ( 3,200 )( 20 ) = 64 , 000 lbs = 64 kips

602