Sheet Pile Walls 

University of Anbar
Engineering College
Civil Engineering Department

Chapter FOUr

SHEET PILE waLLS

Lecture
Dr. AhmeD h. AbDuLkAreem
2017
Sheet Pile Walls 

4.1. Introduction
Connected or semi-connected sheet piles are often used to build continuous walls
for waterfront structures that range from small waterfront pleasure boat launching
facilities to large dock facilities. (See Figure 4.1). In contrast to the construction of
other types of retaining wall, the building of sheet-pile walls does not usually require
dewatering of the site. Sheet piles are also used for some temporary structures, such
as braced cuts. (See Chapter 5). The principles of sheet-pile wall design are discussed
in the current chapter.
Several types of sheet pile are commonly used in construction:
(a) wooden sheet piles,
(b) precast concrete sheet piles, and
(c) steel sheet piles.
Aluminum sheet piles are also marketed.

(a)Wooden sheet piles are used only for temporary, light structures that are above the
water table. The most common types are ordinary wooden planks and Wakefield
piles. The wooden planks are about 50 mm × 300 mm (2 in. × 12 in.) in cross section
and are driven edge to edge (Figure 4.2a). Wakefield piles are made by nailing three
planks together, with the middle plank offset by 50 to 75 mm (2 to 3 in.) (Figure
4.2b). Wooden planks can also be milled to form tongue-and-groove piles, as shown
in Figure 4.2c. Figure 4.2d shows another type of wooden sheet pile that has precut
grooves. Metal splines are driven into the grooves of the adjacent sheetings to hold
them together after they are sunk into the ground.

Figure 4.1 Example of waterfront sheet-pile wall.

Sheet Pile Walls 

Figure 4.2 Various types of wooden and concrete sheet pile

Precast concrete sheet piles are heavy and are designed with reinforcements to
withstand the permanent stresses to which the structure will be subjected after
construction and also to handle the stresses produced during construction. In cross
section, these piles are about 500 to 800 mm (20 to 32 in.) wide and 150 to 250 mm
(6 to 10 in.) thick. Figure 4.2e is a schematic diagram of the elevation and the cross
section of a reinforced concrete sheet pile.

Steel sheet piles in the United States are about 10 to 13 mm (0.4 to 0.5 in.) thick.
European sections may be thinner and wider. Sheet-pile sections may be Z, deep
arch, low arch, or straight web sections. The interlocks of the sheet-pile sections are
shaped like a thumb-and-finger or ball-and-socket joint for watertight connections.
Figure 4.3a is a schematic diagram of the thumb-and-finger type of interlocking for
straight web sections. The ball-and-socket type of interlocking for Z section piles is
shown in Figure 4.3b. Figure 4.4 shows some sheet piles at a construction site. Figure
4.5 shows a small enclosure with steel sheet piles for an excavation work. Table 4.1
lists the properties of the steel sheet-pile sections produced by Hammer & Steel, Inc.
of Hazelwood, Missouri. The allowable design flexural stress for the steel sheet piles
is as follows:
Sheet Pile Walls 

Figure 4.3 (a) Thumb-and-finger type sheet-pile connection; (b) ball-and-socket type
sheet-pile connection

Figure 4.4 Some steel sheet piles at a construction site (Courtesy of N. Sivakugan,
James Cook University, Australia)

Figure 4.5 A small enclosure with steel sheet piles for an excavation work (Courtesy
of N. Sivakugan, James Cook University, Australia)
Sheet Pile Walls 

Table 4.1 Properties of Some Sheet-Pile Sections Production by Bethlehem Steel

Corporation
Sheet Pile Walls 

4.2 Construction Methods

Sheet-pile walls may be divided into two basic categories:
(a) cantilever and
(b) anchored.

In the construction of sheet-pile walls, the sheet pile may be driven into the ground
and then the backfill placed on the land side, or the sheet pile may first be driven into
the ground and the soil in front of the sheet pile dredged. In either case, the soil used
for backfill behind the sheet-pile wall is usually granular. The soil below the dredge
line may be sandy or clayey. The surface of soil on the water side is referred to as the
mud line or dredge line.
Thus, construction methods generally can be divided into two categories (Tsinker,
1983):
1. Backfilled structure
2. Dredged structure
The sequence of construction for a backfilled structure is as follows (see Figure
4.6):
Step 1. Dredge the in situ soil in front and back of the proposed structure.
Step 2. Drive the sheet piles.
Step 3. Backfill up to the level of the anchor, and place the anchor system.
Step 4. Backfill up to the top of the wall.

Figure 4.6 Sequence of construction for a backfilled structure

Sheet Pile Walls 

For a cantilever type of wall, only Steps 1, 2, and 4 apply. The sequence of
construction for a dredged structure is as follows (see Figure 4.7):
Step 1. Drive the sheet piles.
Step 2. Backfill up to the anchor level, and place the anchor system.
Step 3. Backfill up to the top of the wall.
Step 4. Dredge the front side of the wall.
With cantilever sheet-pile walls, Step 2 is not required.

Figure 4.7 Sequence of construction for a dredged structure

Sheet Pile Walls 

4.3 Cantilever Sheet-Pile Walls

Cantilever sheet-pile walls are usually recommended for walls of moderate height—
about 6 m or less, measured above the dredge line. In such walls, the sheet piles act
as a wide cantilever beam above the dredge line. The basic principles for estimating
net lateral pressure distribution on a cantilever sheet-pile wall can be explained with
the aid of Figure 4.8. The figure shows the nature of lateral yielding of a cantilever
wall penetrating sand layer below the dredge line. The wall rotates about point O
(Figure 4.8a). Because the hydrostatic pressures at any depth from both sides of the
wall will cancel each other, we consider only the effective lateral soil pressures. In
zone A, the lateral pressure is just the active pressure from the land side. In zone B,
because of the nature of yielding of the wall, there will be active pressure from the
land side and passive pressure from the water side. The condition is reversed in zone
C—that is, below the point of rotation, O. The net actual pressure distribution on the
wall is like that shown in Figure 4.8b. However, for design purposes, Figure 4.8c
shows a simplified version.
Sections 4.4 through 4.7 present the mathematical formulation of the analysis of
cantilever sheet-pile walls. Note that, in some waterfront structures, the water level
may fluctuate as the result of tidal effects. Care should be taken in determining the
water level that will affect the net pressure diagram.

Figure 4.8 Cantilever sheet pile penetrating sand

Sheet Pile Walls 

4.4 Cantilever Sheet Piling Penetrating Sandy Soils

To develop the relationships for the proper depth of embedment of sheet piles driven
into a granular soil, examine Figure 4.9a. The soil retained by the sheet piling above
the dredge line also is sand. The water table is at a depth L1 below the top of the wall.
Let the effective angle of friction of the sand be ' . The intensity of the active
pressure at a depth z = L1 is

= (4.1)

where

Ka = Rankine active pressure coefficient = (45 − )
 = unit weight of soil above the water table

Figure 4.9 Cantilever sheet pile penetrating sand: (a) variation of net pressure
diagram; (b) variation of moment

Similarly, the active pressure at a depth z = L1 + L2 (i.e., at the level of the dredge
line) is

(4.2)
'
where  = effective unit weight of soil =sat - w .
Note that, at the level of the dredge line, the hydrostatic pressures from both sides of
Sheet Pile Walls 

the wall are the same magnitude and cancel each other.
To determine the net lateral pressure below the dredge line up to the point of
rotation, O, as shown in Figure 4.8a, an engineer has to consider the passive pressure
acting from the left side (the water side) toward the right side (the land side) of the
wall and also the active pressure acting from the right side toward the left side of the
wall. For such cases, ignoring the hydrostatic pressure from both sides of the wall, the
active pressure at depth z is

(4.3)

Also, the passive pressure at depth z is

(4.4)


where Kp = Rankine passive pressure coefficient = (45 + )
Combining Eqs. (4.3) and (4.4) yields the net lateral pressure, namely,
(4.5)

where L = L1 + L2. The net pressure, ' equals zero at a depth L3 below the dredge
line, so

or

(4.6)

Equation (4.6) indicates that the slope of the net pressure distribution line DEF is 1
vertical to (Kp – Ka) ' horizontal, so, in the pressure diagram,

(4.7)

At the bottom of the sheet pile, passive pressure, ' p , acts from the right toward the
left side, and active pressure acts from the left toward the right side of the sheet pile,
so, at z = L + D,

(4.8)

At the same depth,

Sheet Pile Walls 

(4.9)

Hence, the net lateral pressure at the bottom of the sheet pile is

(4.10)

Where

(4.11)
(4.12)

For the stability of the wall, the principles of statics can now be applied:
 horizontal forces per unit length of wall = 0

and
 moment of the forces per unit length of wall about point B = 0
For the summation of the horizontal forces, we have
Area of the pressure diagram ACDE - area of EFHB + area of FHBG = 0

Or

(4.13)

where P = area of the pressure diagram ACDE.

Summing the moment of all the forces about point B yields

(4.14)

From Eq.(4.13)

(4.15)

Combining Eqs. (4.7), (4.10), (4.14), and (4.15) and simplifying them further, we
obtain the following fourth-degree equation in terms of L4 :
Sheet Pile Walls 

(4.16)

In this equation

(4.17)

(4.18)

(4.19)

(4.20)

Step-by-Step Procedure for Obtaining the Pressure Diagram

Based on the preceding theory, a step-by-step procedure for obtaining the pressure
diagram for a cantilever sheet-pile wall penetrating a granular soil is as follows:
Step 1. Calculate Ka and Kp .
Step 2. Calculate '1 [Eq. (4.1)] and '2 [Eq. (4.2)]. (Note: L1 and L2 will
be given.)
Step 3. Calculate L3 [Eq. (4.6)].
Step 4. Calculate P.
Step 5. Calculate z (i.e., the center of pressure for the area ACDE) by
taking the moment about E.
Step 6. Calculate '5 [Eq. (4.11)].
Step 7. Calculate A1 , A2 , A3 , and A4 [Eqs. (4.17) through (4.20)].
Step 8. Solve Eq. (4.16) by trial and error to determine L4 .
Step 9. Calculate '4 [Eq. (4.10)].
Step 10. Calculate '3 [Eq. (4.7)].
Step 11. Obtain L5 from Eq. (4.15).
Step 12. Draw a pressure distribution diagram like the one shown in
Figure 4.9a.
Sheet Pile Walls 

Step 13. Obtain the theoretical depth [see Eq. (4.12)] of penetration as
L3 + L4.The actual depth of penetration is increased by about 20
to 30%.

Note that some designers prefer to use a factor of safety on the passive earth
pressure coefficient at the beginning. In that case, in Step 1,

where FS = factor of safety (usually between 1.5 and 2).

For this type of analysis, follow Steps 1 through 12 with the value of Ka=

(45 − ) and Kp(design) (instead of Kp). The actual depth of penetration can now
be determined by adding L3 , obtained from Step 3, and L4 , obtained from Step 8.

Calculation of Maximum Bending Moment

The nature of the variation of the moment diagram for a cantilever sheet-pile wall is
shown in Figure 4.9b. The maximum moment will occur between points E and F'.
Obtaining the maximum moment (Mmax) per unit length of the wall requires
determining the point of zero shear. For a new axis z' (with origin at point E) for zero
shear,

Or

(4.21)

Once the point of zero shear force is determined (point F'' in Figure 4.9a), the
magnitude of the maximum moment can be obtained as

n (4.22)

The necessary profile of the sheet piling is then sized according to the allowable
flexural stress of the sheet pile material, or

(4.23)
Sheet Pile Walls 

where
S = section modulus of the sheet pile required per unit length of the structure
all = allowable flexural stress of the sheet pile

Example 4.1
Figure 4.10 shows a cantilever sheet-pile wall penetrating a granular soil. Here,
L1= 2 m, L2= 3 m,  = 15.9 kN/m3,  sat = 19.33 kN/m3, and '= 32°.
a. What is the theoretical depth of embedment, D?
b. For a 30% increase in D, what should be the total length of the sheet piles?
c. What should be the minimum section modulus of the sheet piles?
Use all=172 MN/m2.

Figure 4.10 Cantilever sheet-pile wall

Part a
Using Figure 4.9a for the pressure distribution diagram, one can now
prepare the following table for a step-by-step calculation.
Sheet Pile Walls 
Sheet Pile Walls 
Sheet Pile Walls 

4.5 Cantilever Sheet Piling Penetrating Clay

At times, cantilever sheet piles must be driven into a clay layer possessing an
undrained cohesion (=0). The net pressure diagram will be somewhat different from
that shown in Figure 4.9a. Figure 4.13 shows a cantilever sheet-pile wall driven into
clay with a backfill of granular soil above the level of the dredge line. The water table
is at a depth L1 below the top of the wall. As before, Eqs. (4.1) and (4.2) give the
intensity of the net pressures '1 and '2 , and the diagram for pressure distribution
above the level of the dredge line can be drawn. The diagram for net pressure
distribution below the dredge line can now be determined as follows.

Figure 4.13 Cantilever sheet pile penetrating clay

At any depth greater than L1 + L2 , for =0, the Rankine active earth-pressure
coefficient Ka = 1. Similarly, for =0, the Rankine passive earth-pressure coefficient
Kp=1. Thus, above the point of rotation (point O in Figure 4.8a), the active pressure,
from right to left is
(4.24)

Similarly, the passive pressure from left to right may be expressed as

(4.25)

Thus, the net pressure is

(4.26)
Sheet Pile Walls 

At the bottom of the sheet pile, the passive pressure from right to left is
(4.27)

Similarly, the active pressure from left to right is

(4.28)

Hence, the net pressure is

(4.29)

For equilibrium analysis, FH = 0; that is, the area of the pressure diagram ACDE
minus the area of EFIB plus the area of GIH = 0, or

where P1 = area of the pressure diagram ACDE.

Simplifying the preceding equation produces

(4.30)

Now, taking the moment about point B (MB =0) yields

(4.31)

where = distance of the center of pressure of the pressure diagram ACDE,

measured from the level of the dredge line.
Combining Eqs. (4.30) and (4.31) yields

(4.32)

Equation (4.32) may be solved to obtain D, the theoretical depth of penetration of the
clay layer by the sheet pile.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Obtaining the Pressure Diagram

Step 1. Calculate Ka for the granular soil (backfill).

Step 2. Obtain '1 and '2 . [See Eqs. (4.1) and (4.2).]
Step 3. Calculate P1 and z1 .
Step 4. Use Eq. (4.32) to obtain the theoretical value of D.
Step 5. Using Eq. (4.30), calculate L4.
Step 6. Calculate 6 and 7 . [See Eqs. (4.26) and (4.29).]
Sheet Pile Walls 

Step 7. Draw the pressure distribution diagram as shown in Figure 4.13.

Step 8. The actual depth of penetration is

Maximum Bending Moment

According to Figure 4.13, the maximum moment (zero shear) will be between L1 +
L2 z  L1 + L2 + L3 . Using a new coordinate system z9 (with z' = 0 at the dredge
line) for zero shear gives

or

(4.33)

The magnitude of the maximum moment may now be obtained:

(4.34)

Knowing the maximum bending moment, we determine the section modulus of the
sheet-pile section from Eq. (4.23).

Example 4.2:
In Figure 4.14, for the sheet-pile wall, determine
a. The theoretical and actual depth of penetration. Use Dactual = 1.5Dtheory .
b. The minimum size of sheet-pile section necessary. Use all = 172.5 MN/m2.

Figure 4.14 Cantilever sheet pile penetrating into saturated clay

Sheet Pile Walls 
Sheet Pile Walls 
Sheet Pile Walls 

4.6 Anchored Sheet-Pile Walls

When the height of the backfill material behind a cantilever sheet-pile wall exceeds
about 6 m, tying the wall near the top to anchor plates, anchor walls, or anchor piles
becomes more economical. This type of construction is referred to as anchored
sheet-pile wall or an anchored bulkhead. Anchors minimize the depth of penetration
required by the sheet piles and also reduce the cross-sectional area and weight of the
sheet piles needed for construction. However, the tie rods and anchors must be
carefully designed.
The two basic methods of designing anchored sheet-pile walls are
(a) the free earth support method and
(b) the fixed earth support method.
Figure 4.17 shows the assumed nature of deflection of the sheet piles for the two
methods.
The free earth support method involves a minimum penetration depth. Below the
dredge line, no pivot point exists for the static system. The nature of the variation of
the bending moment with depth for both methods is also shown in Figure 4.17. Note
that

Figure 4.17 Nature of variation of deflection and moment for anchored sheet piles:
(a) free earth support method (b) fixed earth support method
Sheet Pile Walls 

4.7 Free Earth Support Method for Penetration of Sandy Soil

Figure 4.18 shows an anchor sheet-pile wall with a granular soil backfill; the wall
has been driven into a granular soil. The tie rod connecting the sheet pile and the
anchor is located at a depth l1 below the top of the sheet-pile wall.
The diagram of the net pressure distribution above the dredge line is similar to that
shown in Figure 4.9. At depth z = L1 , '1= L1Ka , and at z = L1 + L2 , '2= (L1 +
'L2)Ka . Below the dredge line, the net pressure will be zero at z + L1 + L2 + L3. The
relation for L3 is given by Eq. (4.6), or

Figure 4.18 Anchored sheet-pile wall penetrating sand

At z = L1 + L2 + L3 + L4 , the net pressure is given by

(4.35)

Note that the slope of the line DEF is 1 vertical to '(Kp - Ka) horizontal. For
equilibrium of the sheet pile,  horizontal forces = 0, and  moment about O'= 0.
(Note: Point O' is located at the level of the tie rod.)
Summing the forces in the horizontal direction (per unit length of the wall) gives
Area of the pressure diagram ACDE - area of EBF - F = 0
Sheet Pile Walls 

where F=5 tension in the tie rod/unit length of the wall, or

or

(4.36)

where P = area of the pressure diagram ACDE.

Now, taking the moment about point O' gives

Or

(4.37)

Equation (4.37) may be solved by trial and error to determine the theoretical depth,
L4:
Dtheoretical = L3 + L4

The theoretical depth is increased by about 30 to 40% for actual construction, or

Dactual = 1.3 to 1.4 Dtheoretical (4.38)

The step-by-step procedure in Section 4.4 indicated that a factor of safety can be
applied to Kp at the beginning [i.e., Kp(designd) = Kp/FS]. If that is done, there is no need
to increase the theoretical depth by 30 to 40%. This approach is often more
conservative.
The maximum theoretical moment to which the sheet pile will be subjected occurs
at a depth between z = L1 and z = L1 + L2 . The depth z for zero shear and hence
maximum moment may be evaluated from
(4.39)

Once the value of z is determined, the magnitude of the maximum moment is easily
obtained.
Sheet Pile Walls 

4.8 Moment Reduction for Anchored Sheet-Pile

Walls Penetrating into Sand Sheet piles are flexible, and hence sheet-pile walls yield
(i.e., become displaced laterally), which redistributes the lateral earth pressure. This
change tends to reduce the maximum bending moment, Mmax , as calculated by the
procedure outlined in Section 4.7. For that reason, Rowe (1952, 1957) suggested a
procedure for reducing the maximum design moment on the sheet-pile walls obtained
from the free earth support method. This section discusses the procedure of moment
reduction for sheet piles penetrating into sand.
In Figure 4.25, which is valid for the case of a sheet pile penetrating sand, the
following notation is used:

Figure 4.25 Plot of log  against Md /Mmax for sheet-pile walls penetrating sand (after,
P. W. (1952).
'
1. H = 5 total height of pile driven (i.e., L1 + L2 + Dactual)

2. (4.40)

where
H' is in meters
E = modulus of elasticity of the pile material (MN/ m2)
I = moment of inertia of the pile section per meter of the wall (m4/m of wall)
3. Md = design moment
4. Mmax = maximum theoretical moment

The procedure for the use of the moment reduction diagram (see Figure 4.25) is
as follows:
Step 1. Choose a sheet-pile section (e.g., from among those given in Table 4.1).
Sheet Pile Walls 

Step 2. Find the modulus S of the selected section (Step 1) per unit length of the wall.
Step 3. Determine the moment of inertia of the section (Step 1) per unit length of the
wall.
Step 4. Obtain H' and calculate r [see Eq. (4.40)].
Step 5. Find log r.
Step 6. Find the moment capacity of the pile section chosen in Step 1 as Md =allS.
Step 7. Determine Md/Mmax . Note that Mmax is the maximum theoretical moment
determined before.
Step 8. Plot log r (Step 5) and Md/Mmax in Figure 4.25.
Step 9. Repeat Steps 1 through 8 for several sections. The points that fall above the
curve (in loose sand or dense sand, as the case may be) are safe sections.

The points that fall below the curve are unsafe sections. The cheapest section may
now be chosen from those points which fall above the proper curve. Note that the
section chosen will have an Md , Mmax.

Example 4.3:
Sheet Pile Walls 
Sheet Pile Walls 
Sheet Pile Walls 

Example 4.4:
Sheet Pile Walls 

4.9 Free Earth Support Method for Penetration of Clay

Figure 4.32 shows an anchored sheet-pile wall penetrating a clay soil and with a
granular soil backfill. The diagram of pressure distribution above the dredge line is
similar to that shown in Figure 4.9. From Eq. (4.26), the net pressure distribution
below the dredge line (from z = L1 + L2 to z = L1 + L+ D) is

For static equilibrium, the sum of the forces in the horizontal direction is

(4.41)

where
P1 = area of the pressure diagram ACD
F = anchor force per unit length of the sheet-pile wall

Figure 4.32 Anchored sheet-pile wall penetrating clay

Sheet Pile Walls 

Again, taking the moment about O' produces

Simplification yields

(4.42)

Equation (4.42) gives the theoretical depth of penetration, D.

As in Section 4.7, the maximum moment in this case occurs at a depth L1 , z , L1 + L2.
The depth of zero shear (and thus the maximum moment) may be determined from
Eq. (4.39).
A moment reduction technique similar to that in Section 14.11 for anchored sheet
piles penetrating into clay has also been developed by Rowe (1952, 1957). This
technique is presented in Figure 4.33, in which the following notation is used:

1. The stability number is

(4.43)

where c = undrained cohesion (=0). For the definition of , ', L1 , and L2 , see
Figure 4.32.

2. The nondimensional wall height is

(4.44)

3. The flexibility number is  [see Eq. (4.40)]

4. Md = design moment
Mmax = maximum theoretical moment

The procedure for moment reduction, using Figure 4.33, is as follows:

Step 1. Obtain H' = L1 + L2 + Dactual .
Step 2. Determine  = (L1+ L2)/H' .
Step 3. Determine Sn [from Eq. (4.43)].
Step 4. For the magnitudes of  and Sn obtained in Steps 2 and 3, determine Md /Mmax
for various values of log  from Figure 4.33, and plot Md /Mmax against log.
Sheet Pile Walls 

Step 5. Follow Steps 1 through 9 as outlined for the case of moment reduction of
sheet-pile walls penetrating granular soil. (See Section 4.8.)

Figure 4.33 Plot of MdyMmax against stability number for sheetpile wall penetrating
clay [after Rowe, (1957].
Sheet Pile Walls 

Example 4.5:
Sheet Pile Walls 
Sheet Pile Walls 

4.10 Anchors
Sections 4.7 through 4.9 gave an analysis of anchored sheet-pile walls and discussed
how to obtain the force F per unit length of the sheet-pile wall that has to be sustained
by the anchors. The current section covers in more detail the various types of anchor
generally used and the procedures for evaluating their ultimate holding capacities.

The general types of anchor used in sheet-pile walls are as follows:

1. Anchor plates and beams (deadman)
2. Tie backs
3. Vertical anchor piles
4. Anchor beams supported by batter (compression and tension) piles

Anchor plates and beams are generally made of cast concrete blocks. (See Figure
4.36a.) The anchors are attached to the sheet pile by tie rods. A wale is placed at the
front or back face of a sheet pile for the purpose of conveniently attaching the tie rod
to the wall. To protect the tie rod from corrosion, it is generally coated with paint or
asphaltic materials.
In the construction of tiebacks, bars or cables are placed in predrilled holes (see
Figure 4.36b) with concrete grout (cables are commonly high-strength, prestressed
steel tendons). Figures 4.36c and 4.36d show a vertical anchor pile and an anchor
beam with batter piles.

Placement of Anchors
The resistance offered by anchor plates and beams is derived primarily from the
passive force of the soil located in front of them. Figure 4.36a, in which AB is the
sheet-pile wall, shows the best location for maximum efficiency of an anchor plate. If
the anchor is placed inside wedge ABC, which is the Rankine active zone, it would
not provide any resistance to failure. Alternatively, the anchor could be placed in
zone CFEH. Note that line DFG is the slip line for the Rankine passive pressure. If
part of the passive wedge is located inside the active wedge ABC, full passive
resistance of the anchor cannot be realized upon failure of the sheet-pile wall.
However, if the anchor is placed in zone ICH, the Rankine passive zone in front of
the anchor slab or plate is located completely outside the Rankine active zone ABC.
In this case, full passive resistance from the anchor can be realized.
Figures 4.36b, 4.36c, and 4.36d also show the proper locations for the placement of
tiebacks, vertical anchor piles, and anchor beams supported by batter piles.
Sheet Pile Walls 

Figure 4.36 Various types of anchoring for sheet-pile walls: (a) anchor plate or beam;
(b) tieback; (c) vertical anchor pile; (d) anchor beam with batter piles
Sheet Pile Walls 

Capacity of Deadman (After Teng, 1969)

A series of deadmen (anchor beams, anchor blocks or anchor plates) are normally
placed at intervals parallel to the sheet pile walls. These anchor blocks may be
constructed near the ground surface or at great depths, and in short lengths or in one
continuous beam. The holding capacity of these anchorages is discussed below.

Continuous Anchor Beam Near Ground Surface (Teng, 1969)

If the length of the beam is considerably greater than its depth, it is called^ a
continuous deadman. Fig. 4.37(a) shows a deadman. If the depth to the top of the
deadman, h, is less than about onethird to one-half of H (where H is depth to the
bottom of the deadman), the capacity may be calculated by assuming that the top of
the deadman extends to the ground surface. The ultimate capacity of a deadman may
be obtained from (per unit length)

For granular soil (c = 0)

(4.45)

(4.46)

For clay soil ( = 0)

(4.47)

where qu = unconfmed compressive strength of soil,

 = effective unit weight of soil, and
Kp, Ka = Rankine's active and passive earth pressure coefficients.

It may be noted here that the active earth pressure is assumed to be zero at a depth =
2c/y which is the depth of the tension cracks. It is likely that the magnitude and
distribution of earth pressure may change slowly with time. For lack of sufficient data
on this, the design of deadmen in cohesive soils should be made with a conservative
factor of safety.

Short Deadman Near Ground Surface in Granular Soil (Fig. 4.37b)

If the length of a deadman is shorter than 5h (h = height of deadman) there will be
an end effect with regards to the holding capacity of the anchor. The equation
suggested by Teng for computing the ultimate tensile capacity Tu is
Sheet Pile Walls 

Figure 4.37 Capacity of deadmen: (a) continuous deadmen near ground surface (ℎ/H
< 1/3 ~ 1/2); (b) short deadmen near ground surface; (c) deadmen at great depth
below ground surface (after Teng, 1969)

(4.48)

where
h= height of deadman
ℎ= depth to the top of deadman
L= length of deadman
H= depth to the bottom of the dead man from the ground surface
Pp ,Pa = total passive and active earth pressures per unit length
Ko= coefficient of earth pressures at-rest, taken equal to 0.4
= effective unit weight of soil
Kp, Ka= Rankine's coefficients of passive and active earth pressures
Sheet Pile Walls 

= angle of internal friction

Anchor Capacity of Short Deadman in Cohesive Soil Near Ground Surface

In cohesive soils, the second term of Eq. (4.48) should be replaced by the cohesive
resistance
= − + (4.49)

where qu = unconfmed compressive strength of soil.

Deadman at Great Depth

The ultimate capacity of a deadman at great depth below the ground surface as
shown in Fig. (4.37c) is approximately equal to the bearing capacity of a footing
whose base is located at a depth ( ℎ + h/2), corresponding to the mid height of the
deadman (Terzaghi, 1943).