Sheet Pile Bulkhead Research Articles

Three-dimensional analysis of vertical square anchor plate in cohesionless soil

ABSTRACTVertical anchor plates are often provided to increase the performance of various geotechnical engineering structures such as sheet pile walls, bulkheads, bridge abutments and offshore structures. Hence, the safe design of such structures needs a better understanding of the 3D behaviour of the anchor plate. This paper presents and discusses the results obtained from a series of 3D finite-difference analyses of vertical square anchor plate embedded in cohesionless soil. The 3D model is found to closely predict experimental pullout load–displacement relationship. The failure mechanism observed in the numerical model is found to be very similar to the failure reported in experimental studies. For a given embedment depth, the stiffness of the breakout factor–displacement response substantially reduces with increase in anchor plate size. However, the ultimate reduction in anchor capacity is found to approximately 8% with an increase in anchor size from 0.1 to 1 m. Numerical analysis reveals that at deeper embedment depth, the friction angle of sand is the critical parameter in enhancing the performance of anchor plate. The obtained 3D model results are then compared with the published results and are found to be reasonably in good agreement with each other.

A hybrid framework for developing empirical model for seismic deformations of anchored sheetpile bulkheads

Damages to port facilities supported by anchored sheetpile walls are commonly observed at moderate to high seismic load levels. Predicting the extent of seismic deformations of anchored sheetpile walls is a necessary step in the performance-based design; however, the lack of straightforward and practical models poses great challenges for this prediction. In this study, a hybrid framework is proposed for developing practical empirical models for predicting seismic deformations of anchored sheetpile walls. First, a 2-D numerical model is calibrated with field case history data. Next, a series of numerical simulations are undertaken to characterize the relationship between the responses (i.e., seismic deformations of anchored sheetpile walls) and the inputs (i.e., variables that affect the responses). The model bias factor and coefficients (i.e., model parameters) in the derived coarse solution model are then characterized probabilistically, and further updated and refined with the collected database of field cases and/or experimental data. Finally, this hybrid framework is demonstrated through the development of data-driven empirical models for predicting seismic deformations of anchored sheetpile walls. The results show that the proposed framework is effective in developing a data-driven empirical model, and the obtained model can be easily updated with additional case history data, as needed, to improve the accuracy.

Geogrid Reinforced Granular Pad Foundation Resting on Loose and Soft Soils, Hamilton Harbour, Ontario

The waterfront quays in Hamilton Harbour have been constructed by placing upfill within a perimeter steel sheet pile bulkhead. The fill materials are believed to consist of dredged material loosely placed on the original harbour bed, within the enclosure. The quayside had been used for general dock activities, including stockpiling discharged ships’ cargoes. Recently, two 31 m diameter liquid storage tanks have been constructed on the site; the stored liquid applies a load of 120 kPa to the ground surface. Based on borehole data developed in an initial geotechnical investigation of the site, it was recommended that the tank loadings be supported on either stone columns or end bearing pile foundations. The cost of these foundation systems was prohibitive to the development. Additional fieldwork consisting of three soundings with a Marchetti flat plate dilatometer was carried out to better define the geotechnical properties of the soil profile. Using these data, a foundation design was prepared which consisted of construction of a geogrid reinforced granular pad. Post construction monitoring of settlement of the tank foundation shows that settlement of the foundation has been within tolerable limits.

Soil-Pile Coupling Analysis of Steel Sheet Pile Bulkhead under Horizontal Loads

With the development of steel sheet pile bulkhead gradually toward large-scale and deep water, natural conditions become worse and structural load rating continues to improve, design and construction of steel sheet pile bulkhead needs higher requirements. Then the stability of sheet pile bulkhead under horizontal loads becomes particularly prominent. This paper presents the displacement and stress of steel sheet pile bulkhead structure under different horizontal loads using ANSYS, which provide academic support for the design and construction of steel sheet pile bulkhead.

Numerical Simulation Analysis of Collision between Ship and Steel Sheet Pile Quay-Wall

The impact process of 50000t ship and steel sheet pile bulkhead is simulated by finite element software ANSYS/LS-DYNA. This article acquires the impact force-time curve, equivalent force-time curve of steel sheet pile and the pressure-time curve of breast wall. Comparing the impact force of numerical simulation with the result of ship-bridge collision specifications, and general rules and characteristics are obtained. At the same time, put forward some measures to prevent the damage of wharf structure under the ship of large velocity impact, which provide theoretical references during the design, maintenance, and transformation of similar wharf.

The use of geoelectrics and test wells for the assessment of groundwater quality of a coastal industrial site

Using geoelectrical depth soundings, potential groundwater pollution was assessed on a former shipyard of the Newport Naval Base, Rhode Island, USA. Besides an increase of the total dissolved solids (TDS), toxic organic compounds and metals were expected in the saturated zone. Two nested test wells were used to support the geoelectrical interpretation and a third one was located in a poorly accessible place. Non-invasive and cost-effective geoelectrics is representative for a sizeable volume, but the field data are non-unique with respect to the interpretation. Test wells, on the other hand, provide precise data, but they are laterally confined, so that a combination of both methods optimizes the results. This survey concentrates on the freshwater-saturated zone of glacial sediments that range in thickness between 1 and 15 m. The sediment is a poorly sorted till that is described as silty, gravelly sand with a low hydraulic conductivity of considerable heterogeneity. The major effort concentrated on a 12-m wide strip located between a sheet pile bulkhead along the shore and a building in which chemicals were stored and handled. This strip was the only place where depth soundings with a depth penetration extending below the freshwater-saturated zone were logistically possible. Other places were unsuitable because of conductive constructions at the surface, concrete pavements, and adjacent buildings. In spite of poor data quality, four of the five geoelectrical depth soundings were identified to be of QH-type ( ρ 1> ρ 2> ρ 3< ρ 4), with the following hydrogeological correspondence: unsaturated-, freshwater-saturated, seawater-saturated zone, and non-conductive tight glacial till and shale bedrock. The target of this investigation is the freshwater-saturated zone, which is qualitatively recognized on four of the five sounding curves. To avoid an underestimation of the interpreted layer resistivities, the lateral effect from the seawater and iron sheet pile bulkhead was corrected. It was approximated with a semi-infinite vertical boundary between the aquifer and a conducting medium using the image method. Low aquifer resistivities are usually associated with potential pollution in terms of high concentrations of TDS. A semi-quantitative attempt is described to correlate bulk layer with pore water resistivity and finally with equivalent TDS. Because of the presence of clay-sized particles in the sediment, the bulk electrical conductivity is caused by water conduction through the pore channels and the surface conductivity of the particles. Lab sample measurements of resistivity on samples recovered from the test wells provided a calibration curve for the bulk conductivity–water conductivity relationship. In spite of complications due to surface constructions and the heterogeneity of the freshwater-saturated till, it was possible to identify high conductivity groundwater with a conductivity on the order of 3000 μS/cm that is equivalent to approximately 1950 ppm TDS. It is not possible to determine whether or how much of the TDS originates from seawater overwash and how much is attributable to shipyard activities. Test wells, however, showed objectionable amounts of dissolved metals and adsorbed toxic organic compounds.

Handbook of port and harbour engineering: geotechnical and structural aspects

Port and harbour engineering encompasses a wide range of subject areas and, over the last few decades, has involved approaches that are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Although an extensive literature has developed on many aspects of port and harbour engineering, there are relatively few books that provide a comprehensive coverage of this subject for use by practicing engineers. This handbook represents an attempt at providing such a contribution. Thus, the preface states: ithis book has been written... to provide port designers... with stateof-the-art information and guidelines to the design and construction of the basic types of marine structures.i At the outset, it should be stated that such an objective may be overly ambitious for a single volume, since a port engineer needs to rely on a vast amount of information, often scattered through many sources, in order to undertake the design of ports and harbours. The foreword to the book provides a concise summary of what maritime structural engineering is, as well as a good commentary on the crisis in understanding, which has been created by the ability to overanalyze using computers o often beyond the limits of the information that is available. This book, which is about 1000 pages long, has ten sections or chapters. Chapter 1 relates to the marine environment and covers topics such as water level variations, weather, wind, currents, waves, and ice. The second chapter focusses on design principles, and includes a classification of ports, the influence of ship characteristics on port design, and the design principles relating to navigation channels, harbour entrances, inner harbour areas, offshore installations, breakwaters, shore protection schemes, navigation aids, and mooring and fender systems. The third chapter treats design loads, including environmental loads associated with wind, currents, and waves; mooring loads; loads from cargo and equipment; ship impact loads; ice loads; seismic loads; and finally load combinations. The fourth chapter deals with geotechnical aspects of port and harbour engineering. The next four chapters relate to specific categories of structure: gravity-type quay walls, sheet-pile bulkheads, piled waterfront structures, and offshore deep

Failure of an anchored sheetpile bulkhead : LaGatta, D P; Shields, D R Proc International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering, Rolla, Missouri, 6–11 May 1984V1, P393–399 Publ St Louis: Geotechnical Engineering, 1984

Failure of an anchored sheetpile bulkhead : LaGatta, D P; Shields, D R Proc International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering, Rolla, Missouri, 6–11 May 1984V1, P393–399 Publ St Louis: Geotechnical Engineering, 1984

Closure to “ Anchored Sheet Pile Bulkheads: Design Practice ” by Gregory P. Tsinker (August, 1983)

Closure to “ <i>Anchored Sheet Pile Bulkheads: Design Practice</i> ” by Gregory P. Tsinker (August, 1983)

Discussion of “ Anchored Sheet Pile Bulkheads: Design Practice ” by Gregory P. Tsinker (August, 1983)

Discussion of “ <i>Anchored Sheet Pile Bulkheads: Design Practice</i> ” by Gregory P. Tsinker (August, 1983)

Anchored sheet pile bulkheads: Design practice : Tsinker, G P J Geotech Engng Div ASCE, V109, NGT8, Aug 1983, p1021–1038

Anchored sheet pile bulkheads: Design practice : Tsinker, G P J Geotech Engng Div ASCE, V109, NGT8, Aug 1983, p1021–1038

Anchored Sheet Pile Bulkheads: Design Practice

The state of the art of sheet pile bulkheads design and investigation is reviewed. Using some examples of relatively recent large scale model tests and full scale investigations it is shown that the Coulomb Theory of earth lateral pressure against retaining structures with some empirical modifications could be used in design of anchored sheet pile bulkheads. However, in some cases of full scale investigations of anchored bulkheads it was found that the value of lateral soil pressure exceeded the value of minimum active pressure, as determined by Coulomb Theory, and it was close to “at rest” pressure. This phenomenon is explained by the soil “heredity” effect.

Vertical and inclined anchors in granular soil : DAS, BM TRI-STAE COLLEGE, ANGOLA, IND. USA SEELEY, GR TRI-STAE COLLEGE, ANGOLA, IND. USA 11F, 1T, 7R. 2ND AUS-N.Z. CONF. GEOMECH, BRISBANE, 1975, INST. ENGRS, AUS. NAT. CONF. PUBL. NO. 75/4, P99–103

Vertical anchors are used in the design of sheet pile bulkheads. Pullout resistance of small vertical anchors placed at shallow depths present a complex three-dimensional problem and classical earth pressure theories underestimate their ultimate pullout capacity. Pullout tests were conducted in the Laboratory for square, rectangular and circular model anchors in mind. Based on model test results, semiempirical relations for ultimate pullout capacity of anchors have been developed. Model test results have been compared with past large-scale field tests and show good agreement. Effect of anchor inclination on pullout capacity has also been studied. Anchor resistance decreased with an increase of anchor inclination.

Stability of Low Embankment on Cohesive Soil Stratum

Stability of low embankments with arbitrary surcharge is examined by assuming that the ϕ = 0 analysis is applicable and the undrained shear strength increases linearly with depth. Also it is assumed that a vertical tension crack develops in the fill above the point at which the slip surface emerges from the foundation soil. A stability chart is compiled from the result of analysis. By applying to the stability analysis of two case records, the accuracy of this stability chart is found to be satisfactory. For the case where the thickness of cohesive soil stratum is limited, the stability is analysed by assuming either circular and plane slip surfaces, and a stability chart is compiled. Stability chart for the embankment with vertical face is also compiled in order to make rough estimate of stability of earth structures such as sheetpile bulkheads.

Performance Measurements on Two New Anchored Bulkheads

This paper describes the results of the instrumentation of two new anchored bulkheads. The purpose of the instrumentation was to obtain a complete stress history of the steel sheet piling and tie-rods, particularly to examine the deflections and bending stresses induced in the piling by driving.Included in this paper are the deflected shapes and stresses in the bulkheads during different loading cycles together with the tie-rod stress measurements. Information on the soil conditions at the two sites and the details of construction are also given.An attempt has been made to compare the results of the field observations with conventional design approaches. The bending moments and tie-rod stresses have been calculated using the methods of fixed earth support and moment reduction. It is not possible, on the basis of such limited information, to draw conclusions on the methods presently used in the design of bulkheads. The main purpose of this paper is to add to the limited field evidence pertaining to the performance of steel sheet pile bulkheads.

Field Study of a Cellular Bulkhead

A detailed experimental analysis is presented of the structural behavior of a segment of a steel sheet pile cellular bulkhead in Long Beach Harbor, California. The bulkhead consists of 62-ft diam circular cells with connecting arcs and retains a 55-ft height of fine silty sand hydraulic fill. Measurements were made, beginning during construction and extending more than 4 yr, of sheet pile strains and deflections, pore water pressures, and soil and bulkhead movements.

Closure to “Duke on Sheet-Pile Bulkhead”

Closure to “Duke on Sheet-Pile Bulkhead”

Discussion of “Feld on Analysis of Sheet-Pile Bulkheads”

Discussion of “Feld on Analysis of Sheet-Pile Bulkheads”

Analysts of Sheet-Pile Bulkheads

Analysts of Sheet-Pile Bulkheads

Closure to “Baumann on Analysis of Sheet-Pile Bulkheads”

Closure to “Baumann on Analysis of Sheet-Pile Bulkheads”