Cantilever sheet pile wall in cohesionless soil

Design length of sheet pile

Theory:
 
Calculating active earth pressure
 
The active and passive lateral earth pressure of soil can be written as
a=qKa+2CKa, p=qKp+2CKp
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,
and  is internal friction angle.
 
In cohesionless soil, C is zero. The active pressure at bottom of excavation can be
calculated as
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 the
earth side and passive pressure on the excavation side.  Since passive pressure is
larger than active pressure, the earth pressure on the earth side decreases.  At a depth
“a” below the bottom of excavation, the earth pressure is zero.  The depth a can be
calculated as
a = pa /  (Kp-Ka)
Where Kp is passive earth pressure coefficient.  When the sheet pile rotates away from
the earth side, there are active pressure on the earth side and passive 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 area
DOG.  There is a common area DEFO between two areas, and
 
Hp1-Hp2 = triangle CDE – triangle DOG = triangle CFO – triangle EFG = HCFO-HEFG
 
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 from
the slope of line CEF. Since the slope of line CEF is  (Kp-Ka), p1 =  (Kp-Ka)*Y
 
The pressure at the bottom of sheet pile on the earth side p2 can be determined from
active and passive earth pressure coefficient and overburden pressure.  When the sheet
pile rotates, there are active pressure on the excavation side and passive pressure on
the earth side at the bottom of sheet pile.  The overburden pressure from bottom of
excavation is(a+Y), the active pressure is  Ka (a+Y).  The overburden pressure from
the top to the bottom of sheet pile on the earth side is (h+a+Y), the passive pressure
is  Kp (h+a+Y). Therefore,
 
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 bottom
of sheet pile O.  We have
 
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.  Usually a
factor of safety of 1.2 is applied to D, and the length of sheet pile L is equal 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.  Maximum
shear force is usually located at D where lateral earth pressure change from 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 pile.
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,
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 section
 
Solution:
Design length of sheet pile:
Calculate lateral earth pressure coefficients:
Ka = tan2 (45-/2) = 0.333
Kp = tan2 (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)= 6529
psf
The depth
Z = [p1*Y-2*(Ha1+Ha2)]/(p1+p2) = [2696*8.79-2*(1917+238.6)]/(2696+6529) = 2.1 ft
The value
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)*2.12/6
=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)*3.75 3/6 = 14375 ft-
lb/ft
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
           
cohesionless soil at various depth
Design Data:            
Depth of excavation, h (ft) 10 12 14 16 18 20
Unit weight of soil, g (lb/ft^3) 115 115 115 115 115 115
Internal friction angle, F (degree) 30 30 30 30 30 30
Lateral earth pressure coefficient:            
Active earth pressure coefficient,
0.333 0.333 0.333 0.333 0.333 0.333
Ka
Passive earth pressure coefficient,
3.000 3.000 3.000 3.000 3.000 3.000
Kp
Earth pressure above excavation:            
Earth pressure at bottom of
383.34 460.00 536.67 613.34 690.00 766.67
excavation, pa (psf)
Active lateral force above
1916.68 2760.02 3756.69 4906.69 6210.04 7666.71
excavation, Ha1 (lb/ft)
Depth a (ft) 1.25 1.50 1.75 2.00 2.25 2.50
Lateral force Ha2 (lb/ft) 239.58 345.00 469.58 613.33 776.25 958.33
Determine embedment depth:            
Depth Y (ft) 8.79 10.55 12.31 14.07 15.83 17.59
Pressure p1 (psf) 2695.63 3235.37 3775.11 4314.85 4854.59 5394.33
Pressure p2 (psf) 6529.01 7835.42 9141.84 10448.25 11754.67 13061.08
Depth Z (ft) 2.10 2.52 2.94 3.36 3.79 4.21
Value R (lb) 12.69 3.59 -15.11 -45.85 -91.10 -153.30
Is assumed Y O.K. Y Y Y Y Y Y
Required embeded depth, D (ft) 10.04 12.05 14.06 16.07 18.08 20.09
Total length of sheet pile, L (ft) 20.04 24.05 28.06 32.07 36.08 40.09
Total length of sheet pile, L (ft)
22.05 26.46 30.87 35.28 39.70 44.11
with 1.2 SF
 
 
 
Cantilever sheet pile wall in cohesive soil
Determine length of sheet piles for stability

 
Theory:
 
For cohesive soil, friction angle,  = 0, the sheet pile is supported by soil cohesion,
C.  Because cohesion, the soil can stands by itself at certain height without sheet
pile.  Since = 0, lateral earth pressure distributes uniformly below excavation.
 
Calculating active earth pressure
 
The active and passive lateral earth pressure of soil can be written as
a=qKa-2CKa, p=qKp+2CKp
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,
and  is internal friction angle.
 
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 side
is *h, then, the lateral earth pressure, pa =  h – 2C
 
The lateral pressure at top of excavation will be –2C.  At a distance, d, below the top
of excavation, the lateral pressure, a=d-2C = 0, and d = 2C/ is 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 passive
pressure.  The active pressure is a=h-2C.  The passive pressure is p= 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
excavation side, and passive pressure on the earth side.  The active pressure is a=D-
2C, and the passive pressure is p=(h+D)-2C.  Therefore, the net pressure is
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
Structural design
 
The maximum shear occurs at point B, at the bottom of excavation and or at point D.
The maximum moment occurs at a distance y below the bottom of 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
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 kip-ft/ft
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