Lecture #9

Deformation analysis Simplified methods

Stress & deformation analysis

Simplified (experimental) - Beam on elastic foundation - Finite element method

Surface settlement due to diaphragm

walls trench excavation

Deep excavation Theory and practice: after Clough and ORourke, 1990

Surface settlement due to diaphragm

walls trench excavation

Deep excavation Theory and practice: after Ou and Yang, 2000

Wall deformation effect of excavation width

arching effect

Deep excavation Theory and practice

maximum deformation

Wall deformation effect of excavation width

Factor of safety
aginst basal heave

system stiffness of the retaining structure

Deep excavation Theory and practice: after Clough and ORourke, 1990

Wall deformation effect of excavation depth

maximum deformation

Maximum deformation:

excavation depth
Deep excavation Theory and practice: after Ou et al., 1993

Wall deformation effect of embedment

(penetration depth)

Deep excavation Theory and practice (based on FE studies)

Wall deformation effect of strut (anchor) stiffness

HIGH strut stiffness

LOW strut stiffness

Wall deformation effect of strut (anchor)

spacing & strut (anchor) preload
The smaller the strut spacing

the larger the strut stiffness

the smaller the deformation

The deformation also depends on unsupported length (in each step)

The smaller the unsupported length the larger the deformation
The preload pushes the wall against the soil it reduces
deformation

Surface settlement induced by excavation

Surface settlement induced by excavation

Influence zones*:
Granular soils:

~2He (excavation depth)

Stiff cohesive soils:

~3He

Soft cohesive soils:

~2He

*Limited settlements can be experienced even further

Location of maximum settlements:

Sprandel type:

at the back of the wall

Concave type:

at ~1/3 of the influence zone

Surface settlement induced by excavation >

> magnitude of maximum settlement

Surface settlement induced by excavation >

> movements during construction

Surface settlement induced by excavation >

> estimation of settlements (Peck, 1969)

I. sand and soft to stiff clay

II. very soft to soft clay (till limited depth, or high factor of
safety against basal heave)
III. very soft to soft clay (till large depth, or low factor of
safety against basal heave)
Deep excavation Theory and practice: after Peck, 1969

Surface settlement induced by excavation >

> estimation of settlements

SAND

stiff to very stiff CLAY

soft to medium soft CLAY

Deep excavation Theory and practice: after Clough and ORourke, 1990

Surface settlement induced by excavation >

> base movements

Elastic deformation
due to unloading

Due to lateral movement

of the retaining wall

Due to plastic basal heave

(failure-like behaviour)

Surface settlement induced by excavation >

> 3D effect (diaphragm wall)

Surface settlement induced by excavation >

> Time-dependent behaviour

STRESS ANALYSIS

Apparent earth pressure (Peck, 1969)

SAND

m: empirical factor

soft to medium soft CLAY

He/su > 4

m < 1.0

stiff CLAY
He/su < 4

m=1.0

Assumed support method

It simplifies the soil structure interaction to a single assumed support

Hand calculation becomes possible

Partial factors
DA-2 approach, GEO, STR limit states
Action
Permanent favourable
Variable

unfavourable
favourable
unfavourable

Resistance

gQ

1.0
1.5
0.0

gR

1.4

Calculation

Q: using gQ/ gG1.1 values

G: using characteristic value

gG

A1
1.35

GEO limit state: resistance using gR gG1.9 values

STR limit state: internal forces multiplied by gG

Free earth support, no struts

Q

Hd
Ld

dd

a d

p
O
F

Embedment (GEO)

Bending moments (STR)

Free earth support, with struts

(anchors)
Q
dA
A

Hd
Ld

dd

Bending moments

Embedded wall with struts (anchors)

Q
dA
A

Hd

Ld

dd

p
F

Blum method
Statically indeterminate
Defomation criteria:

Restraint (no rotation) at point O

No horizontal displacement at the strut

(anchor)

Serviceability limit state calculation

with characteristic values

Required wall depths

Excavation

Free earth
support,
design values

Blum method,
characteristic
values

Blum method,
design values

SHALLOW STRUCTURE

Uplift (UPL)
Q

E0

E0
G
F= E0tan

F= E0tan
W

F.S.= Fstab/Fmob

Increasing the factor of safety

Increasing the thickness

of the base slab

Increasing the width

of the slab

Anchoring

Design cases

Bending moments from vertical loads

Bending moments from horizontal loads

Location

Load

Earth pressure

Groundwater

Floor slab, middle

vehicle load

active

minimum

Corners

vehicle load

at rest

maximum

Side wall, middle

at rest

maximum

Distribution of earth presure on

base slab

Ls: rigidity length

l: rigidity ratio

RIGID