Numerical Study of the Behaviour of Pipe Sheet Pile Wall and Diaphragm Wall in Vertical Face Berthing Structure

Abstract

Port and harbour structures are constructed along with the coast to provide berthing facilities to ships for loading and unloading of cargo or for embarking and disembarking passengers. Soil found in coastal areas is generally soft marine clay or loose sand. Such kind of soil has very low shear strength. Pile foundations are adopted in these areas in order to bypass the weak shear layers. Vertical face-type berthing structures are preferred if the soil has enough strength and the earth pressure on the vertical wall can be efficiently shared by piles. This type of structure is constructed using pile sheet pile wall instead of diaphragm wall. If mooring force is applied on the structure, active soil pressure which is acting on the wall is increased and it becomes critical. The purpose of this study is to compare the behaviour of pipe sheet pile wall and diaphragm wall on seaside using PLAXIS 3D.