Normalized Relationships for Depth of Embedment of Sheet Pile Walls and Soldier Pile Walls in Cohesionless Soils

Abstract

Normalized, non-dimensional relationships for calculating the depths of embedment of sheet pile walls and soldier pile walls embedded in cohesionless soils are presented. Rankine theory for lateral earth pressures in active and passive conditions are used in the analyses. Relationships are presented for cantilever walls and walls propped at crest. The proposed relationships can be used in dry soil conditions and as well as in saturated soil conditions with steady state seepage. The embedment depth relationships are presented in terms of non-dimensional parameters and can be used for a variety of soil conditions, dimensions and spacing of the walls, and depths of excavation. The presented relationships are simple, easy to use, and do not require tedious calculations.