BRACED EXCAVATION

FIGURE 15.26

We will only discuss a semi-empirical method.

The lateral stress distributions used for coarsegrained and f ne-grained soils are shown in Figure 15.26bd. These
lateral stress distributions are not real but average approximate stress distributions to estimate the maximum strut
load.

The real lateral stress distributions are strongly affected by arching action, as discussed in Section 15.10.4.

The lateral stress distribution for coarse-grained soils (Figure 15.26b) was extrapolated from strut loads measured
for dense
sand adjacent to the excavation.

The appropriate value of friction angle is , but because we cannot rely on dilation, the design friction angle should
be

For fne-grained soils, a total stress analysis is used, and the lateral stress distribution depends on the stability

number,

If the stability number is less than 4, the stress state of the soil adjacent to the excavation can be assumed to be
elastic, and the recommended lateral stress distribution is depicted in Figure 15.26c.

However, if the stability number is greater than or equal to 4, the stress state of the soil adjacent to the bottom of the
excavation is expected to be plastic, and the recommended lateral stress distribution is depicted in Figure 15.26d.

Two possible heave mechanisms are shown in Figure 15.26a. One was proposed by Bjerrum and
Eide (1956), and the other was proposed by Henkel (1971). Bjerrum and Eide suggested that the excavation could be
viewed as a footing of width B and embedment depth Ho
where N
c is a bearing capacity coeff cient shown in Figure 15.26e,

Ho/B is the depth-to-width ratio,

qs is the surcharge on the surface ab (Figure 15.26a), and

(su)b is the average undrained shear strength over the depth Ds below the toe of the sheeting.

If (FS)heave , 1.5, the sheeting should be extended below the base of the excavation for stability.

Wall movements, strut loads, and wall moments are sensitive to (FS)heave.

FEM analyses (Karlsrud and Andresen, 2008) showed that for (FS)heave > 1.8, the wall displacement is constant at
about 0.2% of Ho, but it is 0.5% of Ho if (FS)heave 5 1.4.

The apparent lateral pressure for soft, fne-grained soils consists of two terms (Figure 15.26d).

The first term

represents the value of KA that would be calculated from limit equilibrium when = 0 That is, failure would occur
along a plane parallel to bc and intersect the toe of the sheeting.

The value of su for the first term should be the average undrained shear strength over a depth starting at Ho /3from
the surface and ending at the bottom of the excavation.

The second term

represents the component of lateral pressure from heaving. This term must be positive, and as such,

you should neglect the second term. If the levels of water within the excavation and outside are different, you have
to consider hydrostatic pressures and seepage forces.

The soil mass, abcfd (Figure 15.26a), behind the excavation slides on a plane, bcf, inclined at 458 to the horizontal
and merges with the Prandtl plastic zone, dfgh (Figure 15.26a). The soil wedge, dhk, heaves by sliding on the plane,
hk, inclined at 458 to the horizontal. From Equation (12.33), the thickness of the Prandtl plastic zone for soft,
normally consolidated clay under undrained condition
If the depth to the frm layer, DF, is less than Ds, then Ds is equal to DF Bottom heave stability can be improved by:

The strut loads at each level are found by assuming hinged connections of the struts to the sheet
piles. A free-body diagram is drawn for each level, and the forces imposed on the struts are determined
using static equilibrium. Displacements of the walls are an important design consideration, as adjacent
structures may be affected. The method discussed above does not consider displacements. Analyses
using numerical methods (e.g., f nite element method) are better suited for the overall analysis of braced
excavation.

The vertical ground settlement is generally within the range 0.5 to 2 times the lateral wall
movement.

Tolerable angular distortion (measure of differential settlement) for buildings near excavations is generally less than
2 103 radians,

while tolerable total vertical settlement is less than 50 mm.

The actual tolerable value would depend on the type of structure. For example, if the structure is a brick
building, the total settlement may be limited to about 25 mm.

Lateral wall and vertical ground displacements are dependent on:

The procedure for analysis of braced excavation is as follows:
1. Check the stability against bottom heave using Equation (15.67). If (FS) heave , 1.5, the toe penetration should be
extended. This would result in a higher Nc value.
2. Determine the lateral stress on the walls for your soil type (Figure 15.26bd).
3. Treat the connections of the wall (sheet pile) to the struts as hinges

4. Draw a free-body diagram at each level of the excavation.

5. Solve for the forces in the struts by applying the static equilibrium equations for each free-body diagram.

REFERENCES

MUNI BHUDU SOIL MECHANICS