Abstract
Background: Cellular cofferdams are a temporary construction consisting of interlocking steel sheet pilings driven into the ground as a series of interconnecting cells. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the stability of cofferdams with a circular diaphragm due to lateral load in dry and wet soil cases. Discussion: A series of laboratory tests were performed on different width to height ratios (0.8, 0.9, and 1.0), berm ratios (0.2H, 0.3H, and 0.4H), and embedment depth ratios (0.2H, 0.3H, and 0.4H) with four types of soil fill (clay soil, river sand, sand passing sieve No.4, and sub base). The coupled circular cofferdam-soil system was modelled using nonlinear finite element analysis (COMSOL Multiphysics Software) to validate the experimental results. Conclusion: After applying hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, and structural failure loads, the resistance of the cellular retaining structures with wet soil fill in saturated soils was greater than with dry soil fill in dry soils. The most advantageous construction format was found by deciphering the relationship between the aforementioned loads and berm ratios, embedment depth, and horizontal displacement.
Highlights
It is complicated and difficult to construct the offshore foundation of a bridge pier because of the cofferdam installation, which causes an increase in the construction costs and time as compared to an onshore foundation of a pier
The most advantageous construction format was found by deciphering the relationship between the aforementioned loads and berm ratios, embedment depth, and horizontal displacement
Before describing the specifications of a structural model to investigate the behaviours of the cofferdam, the ocean environment, and the hydrodynamic model to calculate wave loads are explained
Summary
It is complicated and difficult to construct the offshore foundation of a bridge pier because of the cofferdam installation, which causes an increase in the construction costs and time as compared to an onshore foundation of a pier. Due to their large dimensions, high hydrodynamic pressures are expected which increases construction costs. This weakens the relative advantage of the cofferdam. They are used as permanent structures to retain water, for which higher structural safety requirements are needed. Loads such as water current and waves cause a large amount of motion in a cofferdam during installation and result in limiting their utility. Solutions to these above challenges for cofferdams are needed. Cellular cofferdams are a temporary construction consisting of interlocking steel sheet pilings driven into the ground as a series of interconnecting cells
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