PLAXIS

CONNECT Edition V21.01

PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Last Updated: March 16, 2021
 Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
1
This example involves the dry construction of an excavation. The excavation is supported by concrete diaphragm
walls. The walls are tied back by prestressed ground anchors.
PLAXIS 2D allows for detailed modelling of this type of problem. It is demonstrated in this example how ground
anchors are modelled and how prestressing is applied to the anchors. Moreover, the dry excavation involves a
groundwater flow calculation to generate the new water pressure distribution. This aspect of the analysis is
explained in detail.
Objectives
• Modelling ground anchors.
• Generating pore pressures with a groundwater flow calculation.
• Displaying the contact stresses and resulting forces in the model.
• Scaling the displayed results.
Geometry
The excavation is 20 m wide and 10 m deep. 16 m long concrete diaphragm walls of 0.35 m thickness are used to
retain the surrounding soil. Two rows of ground anchors are used at each wall to support the walls. The anchors
have a total length of 14.5 m and an inclination of 33.7°(2:3). On the left side of the excavation a surface load of
10 kN/m2 is taken into account.
The relevant part of the soil consists of three distinct layers. From the ground surface to a depth of 23 m there is
a fill of relatively loose fine sandy soil. Underneath the fill, down to a minimum depth of 15 m, there is a more or
less homogeneous layer consisting of dense well-graded sand. This layer is particular suitable for the installation
of the ground anchors. The underlying layer consists of loam and lies to a large depth. 15 m of this layer is
considered in the model.
10 m 2m 20 m

10kN/m2

Silt 3m

4m
Ground anchor
Sand
3m

5m

Loam Final excavation level

Figure 1: Excavation supported by tie back walls

PLAXIS 2 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Create new project

Create new project

1. Start the Input program and select Start a new project from the Quick start dialog box.
2. In the Project tabsheet of the Project properties window, enter an appropriate title.
3. In the Model tabsheet keep the default options for Model (Plane strain), and Elements (15-Node).
4. Set the model Contour to xmin = 0 m, xmax = 100 m, ymin = 0 m, ymax = 30 m.
5. Keep the default values for units and the constants and press OK to close the Project properties window.

Define the soil stratigraphy

To define the soil stratigraphy:

1. Click the Create borehole button and create a borehole at x = 0.

The Modify soil layers window pops up.
2. Add three soil layers to the borehole. Locate the ground level at y = 30 m by assigning 30 to the Top level of
the uppermost layer. The bottom levels of the layers are located at 27, 15 and 0 m, respectively.
3. Set the Head to 23 m.
The layer stratigraphy looks like this:

Figure 2: The Modify soil layers window

PLAXIS 3 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Create and assign material data sets

Create and assign material data sets

Three data sets need to be created. The materials have the following properties:

Table 1: Soil and interface properties

Parameter Name Silt Sand Loam Unit

General

Hardening Hardening Hardening

Material model Model -
soil soil soil

Type of material behaviour Type Drained Drained Drained -

Soil unit weight above phreatic level γunsat 16 17 17 kN/m3

Soil unit weight below phreatic level γsat 20 20 19 kN/m3

Parameters

Secant stiffness in standard drained

E50ref 20 · 103 30 · 103 12 · 103 kN/m2
triaxial test

Tangent stiffness for primary

Eoedref 20 · 103 30 · 103 8 · 103 kN/m2
oedometer loading

Unloading / reloading stiffness Eurref 60 · 103 90 · 103 36 · 103 kN/m2

Power for stress-level dependency of

m 0.5 0.5 0.8 -
stiffness

Cohesion (constant) cref' 1 0 5 kN/m2

Friction angle φ' 30 34 29 °

Dilatancy angle ψ 0 4 0 °

Poisson's ratio νur' 0.2 0.2 0.2 -

K0-value for normal consolidation K0nc 0.5 0.4408 0.5152 -

Groundwater

Data set - USDA USDA USDA -

Van Van Van

Model - -
Genuchten Genuchten Genuchten

Soil type - Silt Sand Loam -

PLAXIS 4 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Define the structural elements

Parameter Name Silt Sand Loam Unit

< 2μm - 6.0 4.0 20.0 %

2μm - 50μm - 87.0 4.0 40.0 %

50μm - 2mm - 7.0 92.0 40.0 %

From data From data From data

Flow parameters - Use defaults - -
set set set

Permeability in horizontal direction kx 0.5996 7.128 0.2497 m/day

Permeability in vertical direction ky 0.5996 7.128 0.2497 m/day

Interfaces

Interface strength - Manual Manual Rigid -

Strength reduction factor Rinter 0.65 0.70 1.0 -

Consider gap closure - Yes yes yes

Initial

K0 determination - Automatic Automatic Automatic -

Over-consolidation ratio OCR 1.0 1.0 1.0 -

Pre-overburden pressure POP 0 0 25 kN/m2

1. Define three data sets for soil and interfaces with the parameters given in Table 14 (on page 4).
2. Assign the material data sets to the corresponding soil layers (Figure 64 (on page 3)).

Define the structural elements

The creation of diaphragm walls, excavation levels, ground anchor and surface load is described below.

1. Click the Structures tab to proceed with the input of structural elements in the Structures mode.

To define the diaphragm wall and interfaces:

A diaphragm wall with the following material properties has to be defined:

PLAXIS 5 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Define the structural elements

Table 2: Material properties of the diaphragm wall (plate)

Parameter Name Value Unit

Material type - Elastic -

Isotropic - Yes -

Axial stiffness EA1 12 · 10 6 kN/m

Bending stiffness EI 120 · 10 3 kNm2/m

Equivalent thickness d 0.3464 m

Weight w 8.3 kN/m/m

Poisson's ratio ν 0.15 -

Prevent punching - Yes -

1. In the Structures mode, model the diaphragm walls as plates passing through (40 30) - (40 14) and (60 30) -
(60 14).
2. Multi-select the plates in the model.
3. In the Selection explorer click on Material.
The view will change displaying a drop-down menu and a plus button next to it:

Figure 3: Material assignment in the Selection explorer

4. Click the Add button .
A new empty material set is created for plates.
5. Define the material data set for the diaphragm walls according to the properties are listed in Table 15 (on
page 6). The concrete has a Young's modulus of 35 GN/m2 and the wall is 0.35 m thick.
6. Assign positive and negative interfaces to the geometry lines created to represent the diaphragm walls.

To define the excavation levels:

The soil is excavated in three stages. The first excavation layer corresponds to the bottom of the silt layer and it
is automatically created. To define the remaining excavation stages:

1. Define the second excavation phase by drawing a line through (40 23) and (60 23).
2. Define the third excavation phase by drawing a line through (40 20) and (60 20).

PLAXIS 6 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Define the structural elements

Defining the ground anchor

A ground anchor can be modelled by a combination of a node-to-node anchor and an embedded beam. The
embedded pile simulates the grouted part of the anchor whereas the node-to-node anchor simulates the free
length. In reality there is a complex three-dimensional state of stress around the grout body which cannot be
simulated in a 2D model.
The coordinates and material properties of the anchor and grout body are listed in the tables below.

Table 3: Node to node anchor coordinates

Anchor location Name First point Second point

Left (40 27) (31 21)

Top
Right (60 27) (69 21)

Left (40 23) (31 17)

Bottom
Right (60 23) (69 17)

Table 4: Properties of the anchor rod (node-to-node anchor)

Parameter Name Value Unit

Material type - Elastic -

Axial stiffness EA 500 · 10 3 kN

Out-of-plane spacing Ls 2.5 m

Table 5: Grout coordinates

Anchor location Name First point Second point

Left (31 21) (28 19)

Top
Right (69 21) (72 19)

Left (31 17) (28 15)

Bottom
Right (69 17) (72 15)

Table 6: Properties of the grout body (embedded beam rows)

Parameter Name Value Unit

Material type - Elastic -

PLAXIS 7 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Define the structural elements

Parameter Name Value Unit

Stiffness E 7.07 · 106 kN/m2

Unit weight γ 0 kN/m3

Beam type - Predefined -

Predefined beam type - Massive circular beam -

Diameter D 0.3 m

Pile spacing Lspacing 2.5 m

Distribution Linear -

Axial Skin resistance Tskin, end, max 400 kN/m

Tskin, end, max 400 kN/m

Lateral resistance Lateral resistance Unlimited -

Base resistance Fmax 0 kN

Interface stiffness factor Default values Yes -

1.
Define the node-to-node anchors according to Table 16 (on page 7).
2. Create an Anchor material data set according to the parameters specified in Table 17 (on page 7).
3. Multi-select the anchors in the drawing area. Assign the material data set by selecting the corresponding
option in the Material drop-down menu in the Selection explorer.
4. Define the grout body using the Embedded beam row button according to Table 18 (on page 7).
5. Create the Grout material data set according to the parameters specified in Table 19 (on page 7) and assign it
to the grout body.
6. Set the Behaviour of the embedded beam rows to Grout body

Figure 4: Embedded beam rows in the Selection explorer

The connection with the anchor will be automatically established.

7. Multi-select (keep <Ctrl> pressed while selecting) the top node-to-node anchors and embedded beams.
Right-click and select the Group option in the context menu.
8. In the Model explorer expand the Groups subtree.
Note that a group is created composed of the elements of the top ground anchors.

PLAXIS 8 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Generate the mesh

9. Click on Group_1 in the Model explorer and type a new name (e.g GroundAnchor_Top).
10. Follow the same steps to create a group and to rename the bottom ground anchors.

Although the precise stress state and interaction with the soil cannot be modelled with this 2D model, it is
possible in this way to estimate the stress distribution, the deformations and the stability of the structure on a
global level, assuming that the grout body does not slip relative to the soil. With this model it is certainly not
possible to evaluate the pullout force of the ground anchor.

To define the distributed load:

1.
Create a line load between (28 30) and (38 30).

Generate the mesh

In order to generate the mesh, follow these steps:

1. Proceed to the Mesh mode.

2. Click the Generate mesh button in the side toolbar. Use the default option for the Element distribution
parameter (Medium).
3. Click the View mesh button to view the mesh.

Figure 5: The generated mesh

Define and perform the calculation

The calculation of this project consists of six phases. In the initial phase (Phase 0), the initial stresses are
generated. In Phase 1, the walls are constructed and the surface loads are activated. In Phase 2, the first 3 m of
the pit is excavated without connection of anchors to the wall. At this depth the excavation remains dry. In Phase
3, the first anchor is installed and pre-stressed. Phase 4 involves further excavation to a depth of 7 m. At this
depth the excavation still remains dry. In Phase 5, the second anchor is installed and pre-stressed. Phase 6 is a
further excavation to the final depth of 10 m including the dewatering of the excavation.
Before defining the calculation phases, the water levels to be considered in the calculation can be defined in the
Flow conditions mode. The water level is lowered in the final excavation phase. At the side boundaries, the
groundwater head remains at a level of 23.0 m. The bottom boundary of the problem should be closed. The flow
of groundwater is triggered by the fact that the pit is pumped dry. At the bottom of the excavation the water
pressure is zero, which means that the groundwater head is equal to the vertical level (head = 20.0 m). This

PLAXIS 9 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Define and perform the calculation

condition can be met by drawing a new general phreatic level and performing a groundwater flow calculation.
Activating the interfaces during the groundwater flow calculation prevents flow through the wall.

Initial phase

The initial stress field is generated by means of the K0 procedure using the default K0-values in all clusters
defined automatically by the program.

1. Proceed to the Staged construction mode.

2. Initially, all structural components and loads are inactive. Hence, make sure that the plates, the node-to-node
anchors, the embedded beam rows and the surface loads are deactivated.
3. In the Phases explorer double-click the initial phase. The default parameters for the initial phase will be
used. The Phreatic option is selected as Pore pressure calculation type. Note that when the pore pressures
are generated by phreatic level, the full geometry of the defined phreatic level is used to generate the pore
pressures.
4. Click OK to close the Phases window.
5. In the Model explorer expand the Model conditions subtree.
6. Expand the Water subtree.
The water level created according to the head value specified in the borehole, (BoreholeWaterLevel_1), is
automatically assigned to GlobalWaterLevel.

Figure 6: Configuration of the initial phase

Phase 1: Activation of wall and load

1. Click the Add phase button to create a new phase.

2. In the Staged constructions mode activate all walls and interfaces by clicking on the checkbox in front of
them in the Model explorer.
The active elements in the project are indicated by a green check mark.
3. Activate the distributed load.
4. After selecting the line load assign a value of -10 to qy,start,ref in the Selection explorer:

PLAXIS 10 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Define and perform the calculation

Figure 7: Line load in the Selection explorer

The model for the phase 1 in the Staged construction mode is displayed as:

Figure 8: Configuration of Phase 1 in the Staged construction mode

Phase 2: First excavation

1.
Click the Add phase button in the Phases explorer to add a new phase.
2. In the Staged construction mode de-activate the upper cluster of the excavation

The model for the first excavation phase looks like this:

Figure 9: Configuration of Phase 2 in the Staged construction mode

Phase 3: First anchor row

1.
Click the Add phase button in the Phases explorer.
2. Activate the upper ground anchors by clicking on the checkbox in front of GroundAnchors_Top under the
Groups subtree in the Model explorer.
3. Multi-select the top node-to-node anchors.
4. In the Selection explorer set the Adjust prestress parameter to True and assign a pre-stress force of 500
kN.

PLAXIS 11 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Define and perform the calculation

Note: A pre-stress force is exactly matched at the end of a finished staged construction calculation and turned
into an anchor force. In successive calculation phases the force is considered to be just an anchor force and
can therefore further increase or decrease, depending on the development of the surrounding stresses and
forces.

The model for the phase 3 in the Staged construction mode looks like this:

Figure 10: Configuration of Phase 3 in the Staged construction mode

Phase 4: Second excavation

1.
Click the Add phase button to add a new phase.
2. Deactivate the second cluster of the excavation.

The model for the phase 4 in the Staged construction mode is displayed:

Figure 11: Configuration of Phase 4 in the Staged construction mode

Note that the anchors are not pre-stressed anymore.

Phase 5: Second anchor row

1.
Click the Add phase button to add a new phase.
2. Activate the lower ground anchors.
3. Select the bottom node-to-node anchors.
4. In the Selection explorer set the Adjust prestress parameter to True and assign a pre-stress force of 1000
kN.

The model for the phase 5 in the Staged construction mode is displayed:

PLAXIS 12 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Define and perform the calculation

Figure 12: Configuration of Phase 5 in the Staged construction mode

Phase 6: Final excavation

1.
Click the Add phase button to add a new phase.
2. In the Phases window, within General > Pore pressure calculation type select the Steady state
groundwater flow option . The default values of the remaining parameters are valid.
3. Deactivate the third cluster of the excavation.
4. Click the Flow conditions tab to display the corresponding mode.
5. In the Model explorer expand the Attributes library.
6. Expand the Water levels subtree.
7. Click the Create water level button in the side toolbar and draw a new phreatic level. Start at (0 23) and
draw the phreatic level through (40 20), (60 20) and end in (100 23).
8. In the Model explorer expand the User water levels subtree. Click on UserWaterLevel_1 and type
LoweredWaterLevel to rename the water level created in the Flow conditions mode.

Figure 13: Water levels in the Model explorer

9. In the Model explorer expand Model conditions > GroundwaterFlow. The default boundary conditions are
valid.

PLAXIS 13 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Define and perform the calculation

Figure 14: The GroundwaterFlow subtree under the Model conditions in the Model explorer
10. In the Water subtree assign the LoweredWaterLevel to GlobalWaterLevel.

The model and the defined water levels are displayed:

Figure 15: Configuration of Phase 6 in the Flow conditions mode

Note: Note that for Groundwater flow (steady or transient) the intersection points of the water level with the
active model boundaries are important. The program calculates flow boundary conditions in terms of a
groundwater head corresponding to the water level. The 'internal' part of the water level is not used and will be
replaced by the phreatic level resulting from the groundwater flow calculation. Hence, the water level tool is just
a convenient tool to create boundary conditions for a flow calculation.

Execute the calculation

1. Click the Select points for curves button in the side toolbar.
2. Select some characteristic points for curves (for example the connection points of the ground anchors on the
diaphragm wall, such as (40 27) and (40 23)).

PLAXIS 14 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Results

3. Click the Calculate button to calculate the project.

4.
After the calculation has finished, save the project by clicking the Save button .

Results
The figures below show the deformed meshes at the end of calculation phases 2 to 6.

Figure 16: Deformed mesh (scaled up 50.0 times) - Phase 2

Figure 17: Deformed mesh (scaled up 50.0 times) - Phase 3

Figure 18: Deformed mesh (scaled up 50.0 times) - Phase 4

PLAXIS 15 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Results

Figure 19: Deformed mesh (scaled up 50.0 times) - Phase 5

Figure 20: Deformed mesh (scaled up 50.0 times) - Final phase

The figure below shows the effective principal stresses in the final situation. The passive stress state beneath the
bottom of the excavation is clearly visible. It can also be seen that there are stress concentrations around the
grout anchors.

Figure 21: Principal effective stresses (final stage)

The figure below shows the bending moments in the diaphragm walls in the final state. The two dips in the line
of moments are caused by the anchor forces.

Figure 22: Bending moments in the diaphragm walls in the final stage

The anchor force can be viewed by double clicking the anchor. When doing this for the results of the third and
the fifth calculation phase, it can be checked that the anchor force is indeed equal to the specified pre-stress

PLAXIS 16 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]
Dry excavation using a tie back wall [ADV]
Results

force in the calculation phase they are activated. In the following phases this value might change due to the
changes in the model.

PLAXIS 17 PLAXIS 2D - Tutorial Manual - Dry excavation using a

tie back wall [ADV]