DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF STRUTTED AND ANCHORED SHEET PILE WALLS IN SOFT CLAY

The design and construction of strutted and anchored sheet pile walls in soft clay are reviewed based on experience gained mainly in Singapore during the last 10years where mainly strutted sheet pile walls diaphragm walls, and contiguous bored piles are used. It is important to consider in the design the high lateral earth pressures acting on the sheet piles below the bottom of the excavation when the depth of the excavation is large compared with the shear strength of the clay. The strut loads and the maximum bending moment in the sheet piles can in that case be much higher than indicated by a conventional analysis. Different methods to increase the stability have been investigated. With jet grouting, embankment piles and excavation under water it is possible to reduce significantly the maximum bending moment, the strut loads, and the settlements outside the excavated area as well as the heave within the excavation.