Chapter 8

Sheetpiles

and

cofferdams

Q.1)Examine
the
statement 'types
of strata,
velocity
and
depth of water are the main
factors
which decide
the type of cofferdam.
Ans:-Cofferdams are temporary enclosures that keep away earth and water from the
construction area.The following are the types of cofferdams :(1)Plain earth banks:-These are the simplest type and are used for great heights.But the
essentiality of these types of cofferdams is good impermeable foundation and it
can impound water upto greater depths.
(2) Single wall sheet pile cofferdam:- These types are employed for small areas
and shallow depths. In this as the piles are driven the strata is partially firm and
hence this type of cofferdam is not suitable where the velocity of water is more.
(3)Braced sheet pile cofferdam:- The braced sheet pile cofferdams are used for
small areas to moderate depths. The braced sheet piles are susceptible to flood
damage because these sheet piles are supported by soldier beams wales and
struts.
(4) Double wall sheet pile cofferdam:- These types are suitable for moderate
heights and the space in between the sheet piles is filled with granular earth. Care
has to be taken in these types of cofferdams against blowingup. The excessive
velocity of water at the site may change the decision of use of this type of
cofferdam.
(5)Cellular cofferdams :- Cellular cofferdams are used where the depth of water is
great (exceeding 8 m). These are self supporting sheet pile enclosures and are
advantageous than braced cofferdams because the struts are eliminated. The
cofferdam may either rest on rock or soil. The cellular type of cofferdams are
economical in rivers and lakes.
The size of the plan area of the cofferdam is determined by the size of the
structure. The height of the cofferdam is governed by the level of water and the
potential boiling and heave at the bottom of excavation.
From the above explaination it is clear that the type of strata, velocity of water
and depth of water are the main factors that decide the type of cofferdam.
Q.2)State six different types of cofferdams, indicating
the circumstances under which each is most suitable.
Ans:-Following are some of the common types of cofferdams
(1) Earth fill cofferdam
(2) Rock fill cofferdam
(3) Rock fill crib cofferdam.
(4) Single wall cofferdam
(5) Double wall cofferdam.
(6) Cellular cofferdam.

Circumstances:- (1) Earth fill cofferdam:- The use of this variety is limited in
the vicinity where the impervious earth is available and the water depth is
shallow with low velocity of flow. This type is not used where there is danger of
overtopping of water.
(2)Rock fill cofferdam:- These are constructed by placing rock along stream.
They can be used for depths of water up to about 3 m and are suitable even in
swift waters. These are economical in places where rock is available in plenty.
(3) Rock fill crib cofferdam:- These type of cofferdams are suitable where working
space is limited, the depth of water is high,the current of water is swift and
where there is a danger of overtopping.
(4) Single wall cofferdam:- This type of cofferdam is suitable when available
working space is limited and area enclosed is small.It can be used upto a depth
of water equal to 25 m.
(5) Double wall cofferdam:- Double wall cofferdams are provided to enclose a
larger area. This type is useful where scour problems and space limitations are
prevalent.
(6) Cellular cofferdam:- These are suitable for dewatering large areas.
These can withstand overtopping of water. These type of cofferdams are used in
case of bridges with long spans.
Q.3)Compare
advantages
of
cellular
coffer
dam
with
respect to diaphragm type cofferdam.
Ans:-(1)The cellular cofferdam is stable as a single unit and can be filled as soon
as it is constructed.
(2)The cellular cofferdam will not collapse in the event of failure of adjoining cells.
(3)The cellular cofferdam can be filled with no regard to the progress of the other cells.
The cell may be filled immediately after completion of pile driving for each cell and the
construction equipment can be operated on top of it.
(4)It requires fewer number of piles per linear foot of cofferdam as compared with the
diaphragm type of an equal design.
(5)The diaphragm type cell will distort unless the various units are filled essentially
simultaneously with not over 1m or 2m of differential soil height in adjacent cells.
(6)The collapse of a diaphragm cell may fail the cofferdam whereas the collapse of a
cellular cofferdam is generally a local failure.
Q.4)Sandy strata exists below water.Depth of water is 2 m
and unit weight of saturated sand is 18 KN/m3.Excavation
between two rows of sheet piles driven through the sandy
strata is to be carried out upto a depth of 1.5m.The sheet
piles are driven to a depth of 2.5 m in the sandy strata.
To avoid blowing of sand. It is decided to flood area
between the sheet piles and carry out excavation.

Determine the depth upto which water should be flooded to

achieve factor of safety of 1.2.Draw neat sketch of the
arrangements.
Ans:-Given depth of excavation in between the sheet piles is 1.5 m . Therefore
the depth of sand left below the excavation is 2.5 - 1.5 = 1.0 m (see fig.7.1)
Assuming w = 10 KN/m3
Referring fig.below and equating the pressures inside and outside the sheet pile
walls we get,

2 m

of

water
d

4.5 m

1.5m
sandy

strata
2.5 m
1 m

( 2 + 2.5) x w = (1 x 18) + (d x w)
(F.S)
(2 + 2.5) x 10 = 18 + (d x 10)
1.2
d = 3.6 m.
It is very clear from the above calculations that
the depth of water to be maintained in between the
sheet piles will
be
10 cm more than the level of
water outside the sheet pile.
Therefore
depth
of
water
in
the
sheet
piles
is
minimum 3.6 m to avoid blowing up of sand.
Q.4)Compare
advantages
of
cellular
coffer
dam
with
respect to diaphragm type cofferdam.
Ans:(1)The cellular cofferdam is stable as a single unit and can be filled as soon as
it is constructed.

(2)The cellular cofferdam will not collapse in the event of failure of adjoining cells.
(3)The cellular cofferdam can be filled with no regard to the progress of the
other cells. The cell may be filled immediately after completion of pile driving
for each cell and the construction equipment can be operated on top of it.
(4)It requires fewer number of piles per linear foot of cofferdam as compared with
the diaphragm type of an equal design.
(5) The diaphragm type cell will distort unless the various units are filled essentially
simultaneously with not over 1 m or 2 m of differential soil height in adjacent cells.
(6) The collapse of a diaphragm cell may fail the cofferdam, whereas the collapse
of a cellular cofferdam is generally a local failure.
Q.6)Two rows of steel sheet piles are driven through 5 m
thick saturated clayey strata having unit weight of
18KN/m3.Below clayey strata sand layer exists.Excavation
in clayey strata upto 3m below ground level and between
the sheet piles is to be done.Determine the depth below
ground level,upto which excavation between the sheet piles
should be flooded to avoid blowing up of sand and to have
factor of safety of 1.2. Assume w as 10 KN/m3.
Ans:

Clay

3 m

2 m

sand
Assume depth of water equal to d.(See fig.above)
The depth of clayey strata below excavated part is 2 m.
5 x w = (2 x 18) + (d x 10)
(F.S)
5 x 10 = (2 x 18) + (d x 10)
1.2
d = 2.4 m.

It is very clear from the above calculations that the depth of water to be maintained
in between the sheet piles will be minimum 2.4 m to avoid blowing up of sand.
Q.7)Starting
with
single
sheet
pile
of
cantilever
type,
explain
with
sketches
how
would
you
prepare
to strengthen the same by four different methods.
Ans:

Tierod

Depth

of

Deadman

embedment

Fig.(I)

Fig.(II)

Fig.(I) Cantilever sheet pile deriving its support entirely by lateral resistance of soil
in which it is driven.
Fig.(II)Sheet pile supported by means of tie rods for additional stability
Struts.
Sheet pile.

Fig.(III)
Fig.(III)

Braced

cofferdam.

Sheet pile.
Granular fill.

Fig.(IV.a)

Plan

(Double wall sheetpile cofferdam)

Section along as shown

in plan.

Fig.(IV.b)

Q.7)What are free and fixed earth support conditions in

sheet pile analysis? Compare with sketches B.M diagram for
anchored sheet pile wall for these conditions.
Ans:This classification applies only to anchored sheet piles. In the case of sheet piles
with free earth support, the sheet piling is driven to a shallow depth only so that
the deflection of the sheet pile is somewhat similar to that of a vertical elastic
beam whose lower end is simply supported.
In case of sheet pile with fixed earth support, the sheet piles are driven to a considerable
depth so that lower end of the sheetpile is practically fixed in position.
Anchor rod level

Fig.7.7 Bending moment diagrams

Free earth

Q.8Draw
cofferdam
functions
subjected

method

neat
and

and
to.

sketch

enlist
the

Fixed

earth

braced

systems

parts

with

of

component

forces

to

which

the

method
of

their

system

is

Soln

Struts.
Laggings

Soldier beam

Fig.7.8 Braced cofferdam

Laggings:- These

are

by

excavation

hand

Soldier
from
the

the
case

as

the

horizontal

beams:- Vertical

planks

for

taking

beams

are

not

sheetpiling

placed

proceeds.(See fig.7.8)

beams

lagging.Soldier
where

timber

is

Struts:- These

are

compression

the

reactions

from

one

the

excavation.

side

reactions

required

in

used.
members
to

the

for
other

carrying
side

of

braced

external

cofferdam

forces

is

subjected

e.g. Forces

due

to

to
swift

unbalanced
current

of

water.
If

the

soft,

Q.9

soil

the

danger

Work

clayey

below

out

Cohesion

(ii)

Unit

(iii)

Stability
(iv)Depth

be

of

should
doubled

Soln

Factor

the

of

should

of

safety

following

excavation

be
for

investigated.
cutting

data:

number

cutting
be

done

under

as

0.17.

6.86 m.
if

above

the

factor

of

safety

conditions?

safety = Fc =

c
Sn..H
35
0.17 x 20 x 6.86

Factor of safety = 1.50

of

in

soil = 20 KN/m3

of

Fc =

Factor

is

35 KN/m2

weight

of

bottom

heaving

factor

soil. Use

(i)

What

of

the

safety

worked

out

is 1.50.

3 =

35
0.17 x 20 x H

H = 3.43 m

is to

Limit
of

the

safety

height
to

be

of
3.

cut

to 3.43 m

for

the

factor