DRY EXCAVATION USING A TIE BACK WALL

3 DRY EXCAVATION USING A TIE BACK WALL

This example involves the dry construction of an excavation. The excavation is supported
by concrete diaphragm walls. The walls are tied back by prestressed ground anchors.

10 m 2 m 20 m
10 kN/m2

Silt 3m
ground anchor 4m
Sand 3m
5m

Loam Final excavation level

Figure 3.1 Excavation supported by tie back walls

PLAXIS allows for a detailed modelling of this type of problem. It is demonstrated in this
example how ground anchors are modelled and how prestressing is applied to the
anchors. Moreover, the dry excavation involves a groundwater flow calculation to
generate the new water pressure distribution. This aspect of the analysis is explained in
detail.
Objectives:
• Modelling ground anchors.
• Generating pore pressures by groundwater flow.
• Displaying the contact stresses and resulting forces in the model.
• Scaling the displayed results.

3.1 INPUT

The excavation is 20 m wide and 10 m deep. 16 m long concrete diaphragm walls of 0.35
m thickness are used to retain the surrounding soil. Two rows of ground anchors are
used at each wall to support the walls. The anchors have a total length of 14.5 m and an
inclination of 33.7◦ (2:3). On the left side of the excavation a surface load of 10 kN/m2 is
taken into account.
The relevant part of the soil consists of three distinct layers. From the ground surface to a
depth of 3 m there is a fill of relatively loose fine sandy soil. Underneath the fill, down to a
minimum depth of 15 m, there is a more or less homogeneous layer consisting of dense
well-graded sand. This layer is particular suitable for the installation of the ground
anchors. The underlying layer consists of loam and lies to a large depth. 15 m of this
layer is considered in the model. In the initial situation there is a horizontal phreatic level
at 3 m below the ground surface (i.e. at the base of the fill layer).

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General settings
• Start the Input program and select Start a new project from the Quick select dialog
box.
• In the Project tabsheet of the Project properties window, enter an appropriate title.
• In the Model tabsheet keep the default options for Model (Plane strain), and
Elements (15-Node).
• Set the model dimensions to xmin = 0.0 m, xmax = 100.0 m, ymin = 0.0 m, ymax = 30.0
m.
• Keep the default values for units and the constants and press OK to close the
Project properties window.

Definition of soil stratigraphy

To define the soil stratigraphy:
Create a borehole at x = 0. The Modify soil layers window pops up.
• Add three soil layers to the borehole. Locate the ground level at y = 30 m by
assigning 30 to the Top level of the uppermost layer. The bottom levels of the layers
are located at 27, 15 and 0 m, respectively.
• Set the Head to 23 m. The layer stratigraphy is shown in Figure 3.2.

Figure 3.2 The Modify soil layers window

Define three data sets for soil and interfaces with the parameters given in Table 3.1.
• Assign the material data sets to the corresponding soil layers (Figure 3.2).

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Table 3.1 Soil and interface properties

Parameter Name Silt Sand Loam Unit
General
Material model Model Hardening soil Hardening soil Hardening soil -
Type of material behaviour Type Drained Drained Drained -
Soil unit weight above phreatic level γunsat 16 17 17 kN/m3
Soil unit weight below phreatic level γsat 20 20 19 kN/m3
Parameters
Secant stiffness in standard drained ref
E50 2.0· 104 3.0· 104 1.2· 104 kN/m2
triaxial test
Tangent stiffness for primary ref
Eoed 2.0· 104 3.0· 104 8.0· 103 kN/m2
oedometer loading
Unloading / reloading stiffness ref
Eur 6.0· 104 9.0· 104 3.6· 104 kN/m2
Power for stress-level dependency of m 0.5 0.5 0.8 -
stiffness
Cohesion cref ' 1.0 0.0 5.0 kN/m2
◦
Friction angle ϕ' 30 34 29
◦
Dilatancy angle ψ 0.0 4.0 0.0
Poisson's ratio νur ' 0.2 0.2 0.2 -
K0 -value for normal consolidation K0nc 0.5 0.4408 0.5152 -
Groundwater
Data set - USDA USDA USDA -
Model - Van Van Van -
Genuchten Genuchten Genuchten
Soil type - Silt Sand Loam -
< 2µm - 6.0 4.0 20.0 %
2µm − 50µm - 87.0 4.0 40.0 %
50µm − 2mm - 7.0 92.0 40.0 %
Use defaults - From data set From data set From data set -
Permeability in horizontal direction kx 0.5996 7.128 0.2497 m/day
Permeability in vertical direction ky 0.5996 7.128 0.2497 m/day
Interfaces
Interface strength − Manual Manual Rigid -
Strength reduction factor inter. Rinter 0.65 0.70 1.0 -
Consider gap closure − Yes Yes Yes -
Initial
K0 determination − Automatic Automatic Automatic -
Over-consolidation ratio OCR 1.0 1.0 1.0 -
Pre-overburden pressure POP 0.0 0.0 25.0 kN/m2

3.1.1 DEFINITION OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

In the Structures mode, model the diaphragm walls as plates passing through (40.0
30.0) - (40.0 14.0) and (60.0 30.0) - (60.0 14.0).
• Multi-select the plates in the model.
• In the Selection explorer click on Material. The view will change displaying a
drop-down menu and a plus button next to it (Figure 3.3).
Click the plus button. A new empty material set is created for plates.
• Define the material data set for the diaphragm walls according to the properties are
listed in Table 3.2. The concrete has a Young's modulus of 35 GN/m2 and the wall is
0.35 m thick.

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Figure 3.3 Material assignment in the Selection explorer

Table 3.2 Properties of the diaphragm wall (plate)

Parameter Name Value Unit
Material type Type Elastic; Isotropic -
End bearing − Yes -
Normal stiffness EA 1.2 · 107 kN/m
Flexural rigidity EI 1.2 · 105 kNm2 /m
Weight w 8.3 kN/m/m
Poisson's ratio ν 0.15 -

• Assign positive and negative interfaces to the geometry lines created to represent
the diaphragm walls.
The soil is excavated in three stages. The first excavation layer corresponds to the bottom
of the silt layer and it is automatically created. To define the remaining excavation stages:
Define the second excavation phase by drawing a line through (40.0 23.0) and (60.0
23.0).
Define the third excavation phase by drawing a line through (40.0 20.0) and (60.0
20.0).
A ground anchor can be modelled by a combination of a node-to-node anchor and an
embedded beam. The embedded pile simulates the grouted part of the anchor whereas
the node-to-node anchor simulates the free length. In reality there is a complex
three-dimensional state of stress around the grout body which cannot be simulated in a
2D model.
Define the node-to-node anchors according to Table 3.3.
Table 3.3 Node to node anchor coordinates
Anchor location First point Second point
Left (40.0 27.0) (31.0 21.0)
Top
Right (60.0 27.0) (69.0 21.0)
Left (40.0 23.0) (31.0 17.0)
Bottom
Right (60.0 23.0) (69.0 17.0)

Create an Anchor material data set according to the parameters specified in Table
3.4.
• Multi-select the anchors in the draw area. Assign the material data set by selecting
the corresponding option in the Material drop-down menu in the Selection explorer.
Define the grout body using the Embedded beam row button according to Table 3.5.
Create the Grout material data set according to the parameters specified in Table
3.6.

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Table 3.4 Properties of the anchor rod (node-to-node anchor)

Parameter Name Value Unit
Material type Type Elastic -
Normal stiffness EA 5.0· 105 kN
Spacing out of plane Ls 2.5 m

Table 3.5 Grout coordinates

Grout location First point Second point
Left (31.0 21.0) (28.0 19.0)
Top
Right (69.0 21.0) (72.0 19.0)
Left (31.0 17.0) (28.0 15.0)
Bottom
Right (69.0 17.0) (72.0 15.0)

Table 3.6 Properties of the grout body (embedded beam rows)

Parameter Name Value Unit
Stiffness E 7.07·106 -
Unit weight γ 0 kN/m3
Pile type Type Predefined -
Predefined pile type Type Massive circular pile -
Diameter D 0.3 m
Pile spacing Lspacing 2.5 m
Tskin,start,max 400 kN/m
Skin resistance
Tskin,end,max 400 kN/m
Base resistance Fmax 0 kN/m
Interface stiffness factor - Default values -

• Set the Behaviour of the embedded beam rows to Grout body (Figure 3.4). The
connection with the anchor will be automatically established.

Figure 3.4 Embedded beam rows in the Selection explorer

• Multi-select (keep the <Ctrl> key pressed while selecting) the top node-to-node
anchors and embedded beams. Right-click and select the Group option in the
appearing menu.
• In the Model explorer expand the Groups subtree. Note that a group is created
composed of the elements of the top ground anchors.
• Click on Group_1 in the Model explorer and type a new name (e.g
'GroundAnchor_Top').
• Follow the same steps to create a group and to rename the bottom ground anchors.

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Although the precise stress state and interaction with the soil cannot be modelled with
this 2D model, it is possible in this way to estimate the stress distribution, the
deformations and the stability of the structure on a global level, assuming that the grout
body does not slip relative to the soil. With this model it is certainly not possible to
evaluate the pullout force of the ground anchor.
Create a line load between (28.0 30.0) and (38.0 30.0).

3.2 MESH GENERATION

• Proceed to the Mesh mode.

Create the mesh. Use the default option for the Element distribution parameter
(Medium).
View the mesh. The resulting mesh is displayed in Figure 3.5.

Figure 3.5 The generated mesh

3.3 CALCULATIONS

The calculation of this project consists of six phases. In the initial phase (Phase 0), the
initial stresses are generated. In Phase 1, the walls are constructed and the surface
loads are activated. In Phase 2, the first 3 m of the pit is excavated without connection of
anchors to the wall. At this depth the excavation remains dry. In Phase 3, the first anchor
is installed and pre-stressed. Phase 4 involves further excavation to a depth of 7 m. At
this depth the excavation still remains dry. In Phase 5, the second anchor is installed and
pre-stressed. Phase 6 is a further excavation to the final depth of 10 m including the
dewatering of the excavation.
Before defining the calculation phases, the water levels to be considered in the
calculation can be defined in the Flow conditions mode. The water level is lowered in the
final excavation phase. At the side boundaries, the groundwater head remains at a level
of 23.0 m. The bottom boundary of the problem should be closed. The flow of
groundwater is triggered by the fact that the pit is pumped dry. At the bottom of the
excavation the water pressure is zero, which means that the groundwater head is equal to
the vertical level (head = 20.0 m). This condition can be met by drawing a new general
phreatic level and performing a groundwater flow calculation. Activating the interfaces
during the groundwater flow calculation prevents flow through the wall.

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Initial phase:
The initial stress field is generated by means of the K0 procedure using the default
K0 -values in all clusters defined automatically by the program.
• Proceed to the Staged construction mode.
• Initially, all structural components and loads are inactive. Hence, make sure that the
plates, the node-to-node anchors, the embedded beam rows and the surface loads
are deactivated.
• In the Phases explorer double-click the initial phase. The default parameters for the
initial phase will be used. The Phreatic option is selected as Pore pressure
calculation type. Note that when the pore pressures are generated by phreatic level,
the full geometry of the defined phreatic level is used to generate the pore pressures.
• Click OK to close the Phases window.
• In the Model explorer expand the Model conditions subtree.
• Expand the Water subtree. The water level created according to the head value
specified in the borehole, (BoreholeWaterLevel_1), is automatically assigned to
GlobalWaterLevel (Figure 3.6).

Figure 3.6 Configuration of the initial phase

Phase 1
Add a new phase.
• In the Staged constructions mode activate all walls and interfaces by clicking on the
checkbox in front of them in the Model explorer. The active elements in the project
are indicated by a green check mark.
• Activate the distributed load.
• After selecting the line load assign a value of -10 to qy,start,ref in the Selection
explorer (Figure 3.7).

Figure 3.7 Line load in the Selection explorer

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• The model for the phase 1 in the Staged construction mode is displayed in Figure
3.8.

Figure 3.8 Configuration of Phase 1 in the Staged construction mode

Phase 2
Add a new phase.
• In the Staged construction mode de-activate the upper cluster of the excavation
(Figure 3.9).

Figure 3.9 Configuration of Phase 2 in the Staged construction mode

Phase 3
Add a new phase.
• Activate the upper ground anchors by clicking on the checkbox in front of
GroundAnchors_Top under the Groups subtree in the Model explorer.
Multi-select the top node-to-node anchors.
• In the Selection explorer set the Adjust prestress parameter to True and assign a
pre-stress force of 500 kN.

Hint: A pre-stress force is exactly matched at the end of a finished staged

construction calculation and turned into an anchor force. In successive
calculation phases the force is considered to be just an anchor force and can
therefore further increase or decrease, depending on the development of the
surrounding stresses and forces.

• The model for the phase 3 in the Staged construction mode is displayed in Figure

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3.10.

Figure 3.10 Configuration of Phase 3 in the Staged construction mode

Phase 4
Add a new phase.
• Deactivate the second cluster of the excavation. The model for the phase 4 in the
Staged construction mode is displayed in Figure 3.11. Note that the anchors are not
pre-stressed anymore.

Figure 3.11 Configuration of Phase 4 in the Staged construction mode

Phase 5
Add a new phase.
• Activate the lower ground anchors.
Select the bottom node-to-node anchors.
• In the Selection explorer set the Adjust prestress parameter to True and assign a
pre-stress force of 1000 kN.
• The model for the phase 5 in the Staged construction mode is displayed in Figure
3.12.

Phase 6
Add a new phase.
In the General subtree of the Phases window select the Steady state groundwater
flow option as Pore pressure calculation type. The default values of the remaining
parameters is valid.

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Figure 3.12 Configuration of Phase 5 in the Staged construction mode

• Deactivate the third cluster of the excavation.

• Click the Flow conditions tab to display the corresponding mode.
• In the Model explorer expand the Attributes library.
• Expand the Water levels subtree.
Click the Create water level button in the side toolbar and draw a new phreatic level.
Start at (0.0 23.0) and draw the phreatic level through (40.0 20.0), (60.0 20.0) and
end in (100.0 23.0).
• In the Model explorer expand the User water levels subtree. Click on
UserWaterLevel_1 and type 'LoweredWaterLevel' to rename the water level created
in the Flow conditions mode (Figure 3.13).

Figure 3.13 Water levels in the Model explorer

• Expand the GroundwaterFlow subtree under the Model conditions in the Model
explorer. The default boundary conditions (Figure 3.14) are valid.
• In the Water subtree assign the LoweredWaterLevel to GlobalWaterLevel. The
model and the defined water levels are displayed in Figure 3.15.

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Figure 3.14 The GroundwaterFlow subtree under the Model conditions in the Model explorer

Figure 3.15 Configuration of Phase 6 in the Flow conditions mode

Hint: Note that for Groundwater flow (steady or transient) the intersection points of
the water level with the active model boundaries are important. The program
calculates flow boundary conditions in terms of a groundwater head
corresponding to the water level. The 'internal' part of the water level is not
used and will be replaced by the phreatic level resulting from the
groundwater flow calculation. Hence, the water level tool is just a convenient
tool to create boundary conditions for a flow calculation.

Select some characteristic points for curves (for example the connection points of
the ground anchors on the diaphragm wall, such as (40.0 27.0) and (40.0 23.0)).
Calculate the project by clicking the Calculate button in the Staged construction
mode.
Save the project after the calculation has finished.

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3.4 RESULTS

Figures 3.16 to 3.20 show the deformed meshes at the end of calculation phases 2 to 6.

Figure 3.16 Deformed mesh (scaled up 50.0 times) - Phase 2

Figure 3.17 Deformed mesh (scaled up 50.0 times) - Phase 3

Figure 3.18 Deformed mesh (scaled up 50.0 times) - Phase 4

Figure 3.19 Deformed mesh (scaled up 50.0 times) - Phase 5

Figure 3.21 shows the effective principal stresses in the final situation. The passive
stress state beneath the bottom of the excavation is clearly visible. It can also be seen

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Figure 3.20 Deformed mesh (scaled up 50.0 times) - Final phase

that there are stress concentrations around the grout anchors.

Figure 3.21 Principal effective stresses (final stage)

Figure 3.22 shows the bending moments in the diaphragm walls in the final state. The
two dips in the line of moments are caused by the anchor forces.

Figure 3.22 Bending moments in the diaphragm walls in the final stage

The anchor force can be viewed by double clicking the anchor. When doing this for the
results of the third and the fifth calculation phase, it can be checked that the anchor force
is indeed equal to the specified pre-stress force in the calculation phase they are
activated. In the following phases this value might change due to the changes in the
model.

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