Indian Geotechnical Conference – 2010, GEOtrendz

December 16–18, 2010

IGS Mumbai Chapter & IIT Bombay

Optimal Design of the Shoring System: A Parametric Study

Bhanuchitra, M. Prusty, Sudhansu Bhusan

Senior Design Engineer Assistant Engineering Manager
e-mail-bhanuchitra@lntecc.com e-mail-sbp@lntecc.com

B&F OC/L&T ECC,Chennai

ABSTRACT
Deep Excavations are increasingly being carried out to create additional usable space in urban India. Economical
Design of shoring system without compromising on the safety is of paramount importance. For Design of any
shoring system earth pressure is considered as a critical factor. Appropriate calculation of earth pressure would
assist to optimize the cost of the shoring system. There is one important parameter i.e. the wall movements or the
lateral strain along the depth profile which influences the actual earth pressure mobilized. In this study the earth
pressure estimated from Rankine’s classical theory and Finite element analysis is compared. The effect of wall
movement on the coefficient of active earth pressure is also studied. Various stiffness properties have been considered
and taken in the analysis and a comparison for the same is made and optimal solution is arrived. The obtained
optimal solution is compared with the actual results of past construction.

1. INTRODUCTION procedure enables the generation of complex finite element

Deep excavation plays a major role in many projects where models, and the enhanced output facilities provide a detailed
basement structures are required. The present paper is based presentation of computational results. Real life situation can
on the model study using finite element method. With be modeled either by a plain strain or an ax-symmetric
appropriate design based on adequate soil investigation data model. In the present case Mohr - Coulomb failure criterion
an optimal excavation scheme can be designed. The soil is used for modeling the soil behavior.
profile considered in this model is of fine to medium sand up 3. THE MODEL
to a depth of 15.0m. A very thin seam of clay layer is
The finite element program PLAXIS is used for this work.
sandwiched at a depth of 4.5m. The fine sand is of grayish to
For this study, the model is analyzed using a plane strain
black in color with pieces of shells indicating prehistoric flow
finite element approach, with the piles represented as
of river in that area. The excavation is done up to 8.0m.One
equivalent contiguous-pile wall. Plane strain analysis is the
level of strut is taken in this model at level of 4.0m.
most straight forward of the finite element approaches
A large scale excavation work is undertaken in India and described above, and allows good representation of the pile
this paper presents some of the experiences that would go to configuration and geometry, without being unduly
establish for the process approach for an optimal solution for complicated. The equivalent contiguous pile walls are
deep excavation problem. The present study is done by Finite modeled with beam-column elements and strut elements are
element method using PLAXIS software. A brief about the modeled as fixed end anchor. The soil strata are represented
software is outlined in the following paragraph. by 15 nodded triangular elements of elastic-plastic Mohr-
2. PLAXIS SYNOPSIS Coulomb models. Soil structure interaction is specified by
Plaxis is a finite element package that has been developed the use of elastic-plastic Mohr-Coulomb model. A stage by
specifically for the analysis of deformation and stability in stage analysis is carried out to ensure safety at each stage
geotechnical engineering projects. Plaxis is applied to all of construction. Staged construction is the special Plaxis
kinds of practical problems in conventional geotechnical feature which enables to change the geometry and load
engineering: Footings, fills, excavations, retaining walls, configuration by deactivating or reactivating loads, clusters
slope stability, seepage problems and tunnels, separately or or structural objects created in the geometry input. Staged
in combination can be analyzed. The simple graphical input construction enables an accurate and realistic simulation of
various loading, construction and excavation processes.
224 M. Bhanuchitra, and Sudhansu Bhusan Prusty

4. PARAMETRIC STUDY 6. KA-A DIFFERENCE IN OPINION

Three different pile diameters are considered in the analysis
and the properties of the soil and material are given in Table Generally for design purpose ka is taken as . But this
1 and Table 2 respectively. Cohesion of 1kPa is intentionally is not very true always. The actual pressure that is getting
taken to avoid complication and some options will not mobilized is to be looked into. Based on the analysis made
perform well with zero cohesion. Friction angle is taken varying the parameters ka versus depth is plotted. The Ka
based on SPT N. The modulus of Elasticity of soil is taken value obtained from Rankine’s theory is also plotted to make
based on Schultz chart. Poisson’s ratio is taken based on a comparison between the actual earth pressure coefficients.
the relative density of the soil. The diameter considered for As shown in Fig.1. a decrease in Ka value is observed which
this study is 600mm, 750mm and 1000mm respectively. indicates a lesser Earth pressure that will be experienced
Table 1: Soil Parameters Considered in the Analysis
by the system, and hence sections can be reduced
accordingly. As the diameter is increased the coefficient
Depth
Avg. Modulus of increases with increased diameter. It is always not wise to
Below Soil Density Ø in
3 SPT Elasticity increase the diameter to withstand the Bending Moment and
NGL Type (kN/m ) deg
N (kPa) shear Force. Increased diameter experiences higher Bending
(m)
Brown Moment and hence the steel quantity keeps on increasing.
Fine to
0.0-2.0 19.0 9 30 25000
medium
sand
Brown
Fine to
2.0-7.0 19.0 16 33 35000
medium
sand
Brown
Fine to
7.0-10.0 20.0 15 32 60000
medium
sand
Grey
10.0- fine to
20.0 30 34 60000
20.0 coarse
sand

Table 2: Properties of the Material

Pile diameter (mm) 600 750 1000 Fig. 1: Variation of Ka with Diameter and Depth

Length of pile (m) 13.0 13.0 13.0 7. PROCESS APPROACH FOR OPTIMIZATION IN
Grade of concrete M40 M40 M40 DESIGN
Poison’s Ratio (µ) 0.15 0.15 0.15 A process approach is followed for optimization of
Modulus of Elasticity Excavation problems. The model is based on the actual site
31622 31622 31622
(E) (N/mm2) condition and is an exact replica of the actual site. After the
ISMB ISMB ISMB modeling is over the basics input are entered to run the
Strut Section
400 400 400 program. Once the Program is run the forces are generated
and these forces are optimized by changing the parameters
5. SHORING SYSTEM ADOPTED
through iterative process. Once the results are optimized
Raft foundation is finally adopted as the foundation system and furthermore optimization is not possible then the
in the referred Model. In order to lay the raft at a depth of sections are arrived at, based on the optimized results. At
about 8.0m, Excavation has to be carried out to lay the raft. the final stage the sections are checked for safety. Any
Although there is possibility of adopting other types of discrepancy in the site condition should be addressed so
shoring system, Contiguous pile wall is chosen as the shoring that the same model is remodeled to account for the changed
system for this project as it is cheaper compared to other condition to ensure the safety of the system. The process
systems. The piles are installed to a depth of 13.0m with should be followed religiously so that accidents or mishaps
5.0m of embedment. The piles are installed at a distance of can be avoided.
0.7m c/c and with a clear spacing of 100mm between two
piles. ISMB 450 sections are used as the strut sections and 8. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
waler section. The results from the model study are summarized in
Optimal Design of the Shoring System: A Parametric Study 225

Table 3. and the variation of Bending Moment with variation Effect on Coefficient of Active Earth Pressure (ka)
of diameter is plotted as shown in Fig.2.A FOS of 2.0 to 2.1 The coefficient of earth pressure increases with increased
is achieved in the analysis. The displacement of pile tip diameter and hence an increase in earth pressure. The
comes down with stiffer section. The Bending moment increased diameter draws in larger earth pressure and hence
increases with increased diameter and hence the percentage the forces experienced on the system are larger. It is
of steel quantity also increases. There is a similar trend in imperative to see that with the increase in diameter the ka
shear force also. The horizontal displacement of the pile value increases.
decreases with stiffer section.
9. INSTRUMENTATION OF DEEP EXCAVATION-A
Table 3: Analysis Results CASE STUDY
Contiguous Pile Deep excavations need to be properly instrumented and
600 750 1000
Section
monitored. They are needed for controlling the behavior of
EA (KN/m) 11061778 66983090 19553649 wall and surrounding facilities. Displacements may not be
detected by visual inspection up to a certain level.
EI(kNm2/m) 248890 500410 1222103
Inclinometers are more frequently used in deep excavation
Weight (KN/m) 7.1 14.7 19.6
projects. These are used to measure horizontal and vertical
displacements of both wall and adjacent facilities.
Strut Section 1 ISMB 450 ISMB 450 ISMB 450 Inclinometers may be placed in boreholes and/or in piles.
One of the case studies is discussed below.
EA (KN/m) 1845400 1845400 1845400
GG Hospital is constructed in the Nugambakkam area
Total displacements
24.8 24.8 25.0 in the heart of the Chennai city. The proposed hospital
(mm)
block consists of 2 basements plus Ground floor plus 5
Horizontal
16.2 13.3 12.0 floors out of which 2 floors are for future expansion. The
displacements(mm)
soil stratigraphy shows that the top 2 m is of loose sand
Vertical
24.7 24.7 24.0 and 2m to 15 m varying from medium dense sand to very
displacements (mm)
dense sand. Displacements were monitored by help of
Horizontal
inclinometer in different levels of excavation. The
displacement at pile 3.8 3.6 3.6
tip (mm) displacement measured when the excavation was completed
Bending moment up to 4.0m just below the level of strut was found as 8.4mm
7.1 8.6 12.8 as per model and in actual field condition it was found as
(T-m/m)
Shear force (T/m) 8.2 8.9 10.1 6mm. Both the results match closely and hence it is inferred
that FEA can be used for optimization of deep excavation
Strut force (T/m) 13.1 13.4 14.0 problem.
F.O.S 2.1 2.1 2.0 10. CONCLUSIONS
Thus it is concluded that the coefficient of active earth
pressure Ka has enormous cost implication in the shoring
system and need to be judged carefully. Using a FEA
software helps in dictating the actual Ka value based on the
soil structure interaction. There is also much confusion in
the allowable displacement for the Retaining walls. So the
allowable should be judged by the structures which are
coming in the Zone of wedge failure. The allowable
deflection will be governed by the structures in these Zones.
The ground movement should be controlled such that it does
not adversely affect the adjoining structures.
The parameter such as the diameter significantly affects
the shoring system. With increased diameter it is seen that
the ka also increases and hence the induced earth pressure
on the system. The process approach used for design if
followed religiously would minimize any sort of deep
Fig. 2: BM Profile with Varying Diameter excavation hazards as well as an optimized system.
226 M. Bhanuchitra, and Sudhansu Bhusan Prusty

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Brinkgreve RBJ. PLAXIS 2D version 8 – user’s menu. A.A.

The author would like to thank L&T for giving such a Balkema; 2004.
wonderful opportunity to publish this paper in IGC. We also Daichao Shengi., De-an Sunii and Hajime
wish to thank Dr. Makarand Khare who gave us motivation Matsuokaii.(2006). Cantilever sheet pile wall modelled
in the early stages of this work. by frictional contact, Soils and Foundations, 46(1), 29
– 37.
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Bin-Chen Benson Hsiung (2008). A case study on the 75.
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Geotechnics, 36, 665-678. Engineering practice, 2nd Edition, John Wiley and Sons.