Retaining Walls 6-23

Then h is calculated from

1 1
PA − PP Do + h (PP + PP′ ) = 0
2 2

as

PP Do − 2PA
h = (6.34)
PP + PP′

The depth of embedment in sandy soil is calculated by taking the moment of all forces about
the bottom of the wall and equating it to zero:

1 D 1 h
PA (Do + y ′ ) − PP Do o + (PP + PP′ ) h = 0 (6.35)
2 3 2 3

The above equation is solved for Do by trial and error. The depth D is then calculated as:

D = Do + yo (6.36)

The minimum depth D thus obtained typically is increased by 20–40% in the design.

6.7.2 In Clayey Soils

The pressure distribution on a sheet pile wall for this case is shown in Figure 6.14. The forces
acting on the wall are as follows:
1. Active earth pressure acting behind the wall is per Equation 6.14. At the surface of the
backfill:

P = − 2c KA

If φ = 0,

P = − 2c (tensile)

At the dredge level:

PA = γ HKA − 2c KA

If φ = 0,

PA = γ H − 2c

The depth to zero active earth pressure is given by:

J. Ross Publishing; All Rights Reserved

6-24 Geotechnical Engineering Handbook

–2c

yO Tension zone

Clayey soil
PA
Dredge level
A y

PA = γ H – 2c

4c + γ H
4c – γ H
FIGURE 6.14 Pressures on a cantilever sheet pile wall in clayey
soil.

2c
yo = (6.37)
γ KA

2. The passive pressure acting in front of the wall per Equation 6.16 is

PP = γ DK P + 2c KP

For φ = 0, the pressure at the dredge line is given by:

PP = 2c

Therefore, the resultant pressure acting at the dredge line is

PP − PA = 4c − γ H

The resultant pressure acting at any depth z below the dredge line is

PP − PA = ( γ z + 2c ) − [ γ (H + z ) − 2c ] = 4c − γ H

J. Ross Publishing; All Rights Reserved

Retaining Walls 6-25

If passive pressure is developed behind the wall at the bottom of the wall,

PP − PA = [ γ (H + D ) + 2c ] − ( γ D − 2c ) = 4c + γ H

Σ H = 0 yields
1
PA − (4c − γ H )D + ( 4 c − γ D + 4 c + γ D )h = 0
2

or

(4c − γ H ) − PA
h = (6.38)
4c

Another equilibrium equation Σ M = 0 about the bottom of the wall yields

 h  D
PA ( y + D ) + (4ch )   − (4c − γ H )D = 0
 3  2

or

PA (12c y + PA )
(4c − γ H )D 2 − 2PA D + = 0 (6.39)
( 2c + γ H )

The depth of embedment D is obtained by solving the above quadratic equation. The
D thus obtained typically is increased by 20–40% in the design. Alternatively, a factor
of safety could be applied to the values of c and φ.

6.8 Stability Analysis of Anchored Sheet Pile Wall

The stability of an anchored sheet pile wall may be analyzed by three methods:
1. Free earth method —The end of the sheet pile embedded in the ground is considered to
be simply supported.
2. Fixed earth method —The end of the sheet pile embedded in the ground is considered
to be fixed.
3. Equivalent beam method —The sheet pile wall is analyzed as a beam with net lateral
earth pressures acting like surcharge loads. The beam is considered to be simply
supported at the anchor and fixed at the embedded end with a reactive force R acting.
Since the moment at the point of inflection is zero, the whole sheet pile is analyzed as
two beams.

6.8.1 Anchored Sheet Pile Wall in Sandy Soil by Free Earth Method
The lateral pressures acting on a sheet pile wall (shown in Figure 6.15) are as follows:

J. Ross Publishing; All Rights Reserved

6-26 Geotechnical Engineering Handbook

FIGURE 6.15 Pressure on anchored sheet pile wall in sandy soil.

1. Active earth pressure PA due to the backfill soil acting at a distance y ′ from the anchor
2. Passive pressure due to the soil in front of the wall

1
PP = γ (K − KA ) D o2
2 b P

acting at

2
h 4 = h 3 + yb + Do
3

where γ b is the buoyant unit weight of the soil. The distance y b can be calculated as:

PA
yb = (6.40)
yb (KP − KA )

3. Tensile force Ta in the anchor rod

For equilibrium, Σ M = 0 about the anchor rod. Therefore,

PA y ′ = PP h 4

J. Ross Publishing; All Rights Reserved

Retaining Walls 6-27

or

 γ b ( K P − KA )  3 γ b (K P − K A )
  Do + (h 3 + y b ) D o2 − PA y ′ = 0 (6.41)
 3  2

Do is obtained by solving the above quadratic equation. The minimum depth of embedment
is D = Do + y b . The depth is increased by 20–40% in the design.
The tensile force in the anchor rod is calculated as

Ta = PA − PP (6.42)

6.8.2 Anchored Sheet Pile Wall in Clayey Soil below Dredge Line
The pressure distribution on a sheet pile wall for this case is shown in Figure 6.16. The
surcharge load at the dredge line due to the backfill is

q = γ h1 + γ b h 2

The active earth pressure force due to the sandy backfill is given by PA acting at a distance y–
from the anchor rod.

h1 Ta

Sandy backfill

H γ >0
h3
h2
q = γ h 1 + γbh 2

PP
Clayey soil
D
γ=0

4c – q
FIGURE 6.16 Pressures on anchored sheet pile in clayey soil below dredge
line.

J. Ross Publishing; All Rights Reserved