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Title: Excavation and retaining wall in clay soil using PLAXIS 2D

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Title: Excavation and retaining wall in clay soil using
PLAXIS 3D

By Emmet Amonee Greene

Email: [email protected]

Abstract
In soft clay, excavations normally need to be supported by retaining walls. In order to
minimize the need of other structural support and to reduce structural movements, the
method of staged excavation is commonly used. To ensure that requirements regarding
safety and displacements are fulfilled, numerical modelling is commonly used.
Numerical modelling can be performed in both two and three dimensions, and the
evaluation of excavations is in reality a three-dimensional problem. This causes the
calculations to be quite complex and time consuming. In order to decrease the
computational time, the modelling could be done in two dimensions instead. However,
two-dimensional models are often based on conservative assumptions that could
potentially result in additional construction costs.

Keywords: retaining walls, anchor rods, deformation, lateral movement, diaphragm wall

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.1 Background ...................................................................................................................... 3
 1.2 Design and Methodology ................................................................................................. 4
1.3 Numerical Modeling ........................................................................................................ 5
1. Results .............................................................................................................................. 6
2. Construction ..................................................................................................................... 7

1. Introduction

In soft clay, excavations usually need to be supported by retaining walls. In order to

minimize the need of other structural support and to reduce structural movements, the
method of retaining wall excavation is commonly used. During the construction work, it is of
utmost importance that excavations are always performed in a way that guarantees
safety. Except from the safety aspect, strict demands on the allowed movements in the
excavation pit are commonly set. In order to ensure that these requirements are fulfilled, complex
calculations are needed. Due to the high level of complexity, hand-calculations are often
complemented with numerical modelling. The finite element method is a computational procedure
that includes numerical modelling. There could be great benefits when using finite element
analysis software, as the design can be more efficient regarding time and costs.

The Extreme lateral deformation of the retaining wall system can result in uncontrollable ground
settlement and caused major damage to other existing structures. Therefore, construction involving
deep excavation in loose clay, the lack of restraint of the wall below the ultimate excavation level,
the maximum wall deflection usually befalls at the depth. In such instances, ground improvement
methods are employed to further strengthen soil bearing capacity below the excavation and
subsequently to restrain the retaining wall deformation as well as increase basal heave factor safety.
For retaining wall purpose, Jamsawang et al carried a 3D finite element method analysis and
established the efficiency of walls in controlling wall lateral movement.

In recent times, ground improvement using jet grouting or soil nailing has become a favorable
practice to control the movement of soil and flow of water due to excavation. For an example,
Zhao XD et al, developed an excavation project with a retaining walls system of which was
encompassed cast in situ bored piles and jet grout pile was introduced, the outcomes from that
project involving jet grout piles were capable of reducing wall and soil deformation was reached.
In this scenario of construction, the retaining walls serve as part of the earth retentive system to
resist the lateral movement of the supportive wall.

Another project presented by Wong and Poh, detailed an excavation with retaining wall using jet
grouting treatment method involving marine clay and examined the effects of jet grouting members
on diaphragm wall, the surrounding soils, and nearby buildings and realized that the method works
thereby preventing disturbance to the adjacent structures during and construction works. To fully
access the soil-structure interface mechanism for deep excavation involving retaining walls, many
researchers have explored field monitoring system case scenarios and numerical modeling studies
Finno RJ, et al. This approach allows to monitor the adverse effect caused to adjacent buildings
involving piles.

However, to understand the soil pile excavation interaction, case studies done by Finno et al and
Goh et al. were reported in granular soil and alluvial residual soils respectively. It was established
that deep excavation can create lateral soil movement due to its excavation impact and can be a
danger to existing piles. The studies resolved that the induced bending movement and adjacent
deflection of the piles are extremely inclined by the detachment from the wall and the piles head
ailment. During the studies, the lateral movement response of bearing end retaining walls with
loads was reported. The concert of pile foundation is contingent on the stress state of the soil and
the nearby sub-surface soil movements. Additional, soft clay with deep excavation causes negative
excess pore water pressure and on the other hand, induces long-term pile members settlement with
the dissipation of excess pore water pressure Lam SY.

1.1 BACKGROUND
Many studies have shown that fundamental knowledge of soil mechanics and
numerical modelling is crucial when using the finite element method for the design of
excavations (Puzrin et al., 2010; Kullingsjö, 2007; Karlsrud et al., 2005). The procedure
of deriving necessary soil parameters varies depending on which constitutive model
that is being used. The choice of constitutive model might in turn affect the results
significantly. Numerical modelling can be performed in both two and three dimensions, and the
evaluation of excavations is in reality a three-dimensional problem. This causes the
calculations to be quite complex and time consuming. In order to decrease the
computational time, the modelling could be done in two dimensions instead. However,
two-dimensional models are sometimes based on conservative assumptions resulting in
additional construction costs. It is often said that time is money, and that applies very
much so to building and infrastructural projects. One way of achieving great savings,
and at the same time improve the quality, is by changing working procedures in the
design stage. It would therefore be beneficial to be able to simulate three-dimensional
conditions of a staged excavation, only using two dimensions. The purpose of an earth-retaining
structure is to prevent, according to the principles of limit state design, all types of collapse or
major damage of the structure. It should also prevent deformations unacceptable for the function
of the structure, and at the same time endure damage that would require excessive maintenance.

1.2 DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

The soil used in this project is sand-clay soil. Sometimes it’s difficult to find one particular soil
type for construction. The foundation has a final depth of 40m and was supported by three anchors
rode with the spacing of 2m and a 20m diaphragm wall. Bottom-up excavation supported by an
anchor was adopted in this study, which is commonly used in the industry. Two by two elevated
anchor group was selected for this fundamental study see fig. 1. A diaphragm wall was installed
to prevent the soil from slipping during the excavation due to the soil instability and water content
associated with the sandy clay soil.
 Buttress
wall
Excavation Surface

Diaphragm
wall
5m

Clay

3 anchor rods 2m @
c/c spacing
Buttress
wall

Fig.1 Typical geometry problem selected in the analysis.

1.3 NUMERICAL MODELING

During the study, an anchored concrete was simulated to be subjected to workable loads before
the beginning of the excavation. The excavation performs assuming the bottom-up method
construction. In all the excavation stages, anchor rods were installed 5m above the excavation level.
Fig.2 shows the cross-section of the foundation been simulated with the excavation and the anchor
rods in the prototype. During the simulation, the foundation was excavated into three separate
excavation types due to the soil instability and the water content. Fig.2 shows how the foundation
was designed followed by the simulation process. The relative stresses did not affect the excavation
when the loads were applied because the diaphragm and anchor rods were used to restraint the
wall from slipping as can be seen in fig. 3 reactively. As for the influence on surrounding soil
displacement, Fig. 3 shows the different soil deformation modes with jet grout slab or jet grout
pile reinforcements. By pouring piles into deep soil, the potential sliding surface is prevented, the
risk of basal heave failure is greatly reduced

Load
Diaphragm wall Anchor rode
s
st
1 excavation
nd
2 excavation
3rd excavation
Sand

Clay

Fig. 2 Finite element mesh and boundary conditions adopted in this study

Fig. 3 Soil displacement fields with different deformation modes

1. RESULTS
In the 3D-model, the only connection between the cross-sections was the wailing
beam. Since there was only one connection point, the intended effect from the other
cross-sections were limited and became very local. Since the wailing beam had not yet
been activated during first two excavation phases, no benefit was generated from the
more stable additional cross-sections. It can be stated that the 3D-model would have
benefitted from implementing more connection lines, possibly simulating the rigidity
of the wall or the shear strength of the soil. If the soil is divided into several partial
areas, it would be possible to simulate the resultants of the shear strength for each area.
The effect of the 3D-model would then have been apparent during the whole
construction time. The idea with this project was however to create a simple model
which would not require too much computational time, why it was thought that the
produced 3D-model was sufficient enough.

2. CONSTRUCTION
In this section, the components involved in a retaining structure are presented, along
with the concept retaining wall backed anchor rod excavation. Furthermore, the finite element
program PLAXIS 3D together with the Mohr-Coulomb model and the Soft Soil model
are also described. Difficulty in dealing with one soil type doing construction, this construction
was able to demonstrate two soil types. We put a beam to distinguish the soil types, the bottom
was clay and at the top was sand as can be viewed in fig. 4. Due to the soil type we could not do
the excavation at once because of the soil instability and high-water content to avoid excavation
from slipping we divided the excavation into three portions. We put an anchor rod and a diaphragm
wall to serve as support to allow us to do the excavation with ease.
 Diaphragm wall Loads
Anchor rods
st
nd1
excavation
2 excavation
rd
3 excavation
Sand
Clay
Fig. 4 Mesh and retaining members in 3D model.

4. References

[1] Finno RJ, Arboleda-Monsalve LG, Sarabia F. Observed performance of the one
museum park west excavation. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 2014:1–11. http://dx.doi.
org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001187.

[2] Finno RJ, Blackburn JT, Roboski JF. Three-dimensional effects for supported excavations in
clay. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 2007;133(1):30–6. http://dx.doi.org/
10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241.

[3] Schwamb T, Soga K. Numerical modeling of a deep circular excavation at Abbey

Mills in London. Geotechnique 2015;65:604–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/geot.
14.P.251.
[4] Dong Y, Burd HJ, Houlsby GT. Finite element analysis of a deep excavation case
history. Géotechnique 2015:1–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.14.P.234. [in
press].
[5] Finno RJ, Lawrence SA, Allawh NF, Harahap IS. Analysis of performance of pile
groups adjacent to deep excavation. J Geotech Eng 1991;117(6):934–55. http://dx.
doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1991).
 [6] Goh aTC, Wong KS, Teh CI, Wen D. Pile response adjacent to braced excavation. J
Geotech Geoenviron Eng 2003;129(4):383–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)
1090-024.
[7] Jamsawang P, Voottipruex P, Tanseng P, Jongpradist P, Bergado DT. Effectiveness of deep
cement mixing walls with top-down construction for deep excavations in soft clay: case
study and 3D simulation. Acta Geotech 2019;14:225–46.

[8] Lam SY. Ground movements due to excavation in clay: physical and analytical
models PhD thesis UK: University of Cambridge; 2010. p. 305.
[9] Wong IH, Poh TY. A Case History of Jet Grouting in Marine Clay. Ground Improvement
Case Histories 2015;3:123–63.

[10] Zhao XD, Zhou GQ, Qiao LJ, Chen YG. Behaviors of wall and ground due to T-shaped
excavation. J Civil Eng 2019;23(5):1999–2008.

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