Design example:

C=0
10m

=330
=18kN/m3

18D

18(10+D)

Find the depth of embedment for a cantilever sheet pile on cohesionless soil with =33o and
density 18kN/m3. Find the depth of embedment with factors of safety on passive forces of 1
and 2.
Solution:
k a =0.295
k p =3.392
Taking moment about bottom of wall (at depth D)

1
(10 + D)
D 1
3.392 18 D D = (180 + 18 D)(10 + D)
0.295
2
3 2
3
10.176 D 3 =
(30 + 3D)(10 + D)(10 + D)0.295
= (30 + 3D)(100 + D 2 + 20 D)0.295
= 3000 + 30 D 2 + 600 D + 300 D + 3D 3 + 60 D 2
= (3D 3 + 90 D 2 +900 D + 3000)0.295
= 0.885 D 3 + 26.56 D 2 + 265.2 D + 885
0
9.291D 3 26.56 D 2 265.6 D 885 =
=
D 7.95
=
m 8m
The embedment depth increases if we apply a higher factor of safety on the passive force.
For example, for a factor of safety of 2 on the passive forces, the embedment depth is as
follows:
1

1 1
D 1
(10 + D)
3.392 18 D D = (180 + 18 D)(10 + D)
0.295
2 2
3 2
3
5.088 D 3 =
(30 + 3D)(10 + D)(10 + D)0.295
4.203D 3 26.56 D 2 265.6 D 885 =
0
D = 12.66m

Further calculations for 8m embedment depth:

1
Passive force= 3.392 18 82 =
1953.8kN / m
2
1
Active force= 0.295 18 182 =
860.2kN / m
2

Increase the embedment by 20%

8x1.2=9.6m

10m

8m
1099

42.5
1.6m
50.98

1196.7

Additional passive force=1836 kN/m

Additional Active force=74.78kN/m

Design of anchored sheet pile walls

Design example

1m
10m
C=0
=330
D

=18kN/m3

Find the depth of embedment for an anchored sheet pile on cohesionless soil with 33 and
18kN/m3. Also find the pressure taken by the anchor when its size is 1m and 1.2m. Use free
earth support and fixed earth methods
1
Passive force= k p D 2
2
1
2
Moment about anchor point= k p D 2 (9 + D)
2
3

Active force=

1
ka ( H + D ) 2
2

2
Moment about anchor point= Pa ( (10 + D) 1)
3

k p = 3.392
ka = 0.295

= 18
H = 10

1
2
1
2
2
3.392 18 D 2 (9 + D) = 0.295 18 (10 + D) 2 ( 10 + D 1)
2
3
2
3
3
2
3
2
274.75 D + 20.35 D = (100 + D + 20 D)(15.02 + 1.77 D)
= 15.02 D 2 + 15.02 + 300.4 D + 177 D + 1.77 D 3 + 35.4 D 2
=1.77 D 3 + 50.42 D 2 + 477.4 D + 15.02
18.58 D 3 + 224.33D 2 477.4 D 15.02 =
0
3

D=3.28m 3.30m

1
Passive force= 3.39 18 3.32 =
332.5kN / m
2
1
Active Force= 0.295 18 13.32 =
469.4kN / m
2

Anchor should provide a lateral resistance of 496.4-332.5=163.9kN/m.

If anchor tie-rods are placed at 1.5m centre to centre along the length of the wall
(perpendicular to plane of analysis) force in each anchor=1.5x164=246kN
1.5

P =3.65 H V k p
H

v =Vertical pressure at mid-depth of the anchor

18 1
1m size anchor: =
P 3.65 18 1
= 222.72kN
3.39
18 1
1.5

18 1
1.2m size anchor: P= 3.65 18 1.23
3.39= 292.77 kN
18 1.2
1.5

Increase embedment depth by 20% for additional factor of safety.

D = 3.3 1.2 4m

1.6m
/4-/2=28.50
2.94m

4m

/4+/2=61.50
7.6m

Anchor should be placed at a minimum distance of 7.6+2.94=10.54 m 11 m behind the

sheet pile wall.
4

Fixed earth method

10

53.1
x
a

56.44
c

k p = 3.392
ka = 0.295

= 18
H = 10

Depth of contraflexure , x=0.088H

0.063 H =
0.63m
Slope on net pressure line, c= (k p =
= 55.74
ka ) 18(3.392 0.295)
53.1 53.1
=
= 0.95m
c
55.74

=
a

17.89

The earth pressure diagram is divided into two parts. The top part has a depth of (10+x) m. T
represents the tie rod and let R be the total reaction from the bottom part of the earth pressure
diagram.
Take moment about T.
1
2
1
2

R 9.63 = 56.44 10.63 ( 10.63 1) 38.5 0.63 9 + 0.63

2
3
2
3

R=122.55m
1
1

Tie rod force, T= P a R= 0.295 18 10.632 38.5 0.63 122.5 =165.3kN/m

2
2

Solve the equation to find y

y +y
4

'
2
8R
6R
6 Ryp p + 4 R
'
y
y 2 (2 yc + p p )
=
0
c
c
c2
c

p' p

y= x a

10

kp-ka
c

Pp
y

'
p=
0.295 18 10 + (3.392 0.295) 18 0.95
= 106.06kNm
p

Solving the equation by trial and error,

y=4.314.3m
Total depth of embedment=4.3+0.95=5.25m
Increase embedment depth by 20% for additional factor of safety
5.25x1.2=6.3m