PARAMETRIC ASSESSMENT OF LATERAL PRESSURE ON PILES AND LAGGINGS IN AN ANCHORAGE SYSTEM

Abstract

Due to the difference of stiffness between laggings and piles in anchored soldier pile walls, soil arching usually occurs between piles. This causes non-uniform distribution of soil pressure and pressure concentration behind soldier piles. In the existing empirical diagrams for the lateral earth pressure on braced and anchored walls; which are based on the measurement of the created forces in strut elements so called ＂apparent pressure diagram＂; the simultaneous impact of friction angle, soil cohesion, and surcharge effects has not been considered. In addition, the diagrams provide no information on the pressure on laggings. To answer these questions, the distribution of soil pressure in an anchored soldiered wall was studied using 3D numerical modeling. Variable parameters in the modeling include soil parameters, height of wall, horizontal distance of soldier piles, and surcharge. Results of parametric analysis show that the pressure applied on the anchored wall exceeded the values presented in the apparent pressure diagrams. Moreover, the surcharge-induced earth pressure, which is classically applied with active lateral pressure coefficient in equations, is greater, and it is about 70% more than that.