Braced Excavations: CE 163 Geotechnical Engineering 1 SEMESTER, 2012-2013

BRACED EXCAVATIONS
CE 163
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
1ST SEMESTER, 2012-2013
Overview
• Introduction
• Braced Excavation Systems
• Apparent Pressure Diagrams
• Designing various components of the braced
excavation system
• Estimates of ground settlement due to braced
excavations.
• Case studies of braced excavtions
BRACED EXCAVATIONS
CE 163
1ST Semester, 2012-2013
BRACED EXCAVATION SYSTEMS

Braced excavation systems
• The two most common types of braced
excavation systems are the sheet pile and
soldier pile system.
• Both systems involve lagging which transmits
lateral pressures to whaler beams, struts and
rakers.
• Sheet piles and whaler beams are designed as
flexural elements, while struts and rakers are
slender axially loaded elements.
• Since the 1980’s, diaphragm walls (sometime also referred to as slurry
walls) have been used as an alternative system for braced excavations.
• Unlike sheet piles and soldier piles which are temporary, diaphragm
walls are considered permanent as they becomes part of the basement
structure.
• Diaphragm walls are designed in the same manner as basement walls.
• Diaphragm walls are generally used in the top-down construction
method in which the basement structure is built as the basement is
excavated.
• In the top-down method, the excavation is braced using elements which
eventually become part of the basement frame, and are designed as
such.
• The presence of struts and rakers often impedes the
movement of personnel, materials and equipment
within the excavation.
• For this reason, tiebacks are often used as an alternative
or in conjunction with conventional bracing systems.
• Tiebacks encroach into areas adjacent to the excavation.
Care should be taken to protect foundations and
underground utilities in adjoining areas.
• Installation of tiebacks beyond property line requires
prior consent of owner.
Shoring Systems
Diaphragm Walls
Diaphragm Walls
Diaphragm Walls
Diaphragm Walls
TOP DOWN CONSTRUCTION
TOP DOWN CONSTRUCTION
BRACED EXCAVATIONS
CE 163
APPARENT PRESSURE DIAGRAMS

APPARENT PRESSURE DIAGRAMS
• Restraints due to struts and rakers prevent the wall from
deflecting.
• Consequently, lateral earth pressures in braced excavations
differ significantly from those predicted by lateral earth
pressure theories.
• Lateral earth pressure depend on the soil type,
construction method, and type of equipment used.
• Lateral earth pressures are estimated using apparent
pressure diagrams, which were first introduced by Peck
(1943, 1969) based on his experience from work done on
the several subway lines (Berlin, Munich and New York)
Guidelines for using
Apparent Pressure Diagrams
• They apply to excavations having depths greater
than about 6m (20ft)
• They are based on the assumption that the
water table is below the bottom of the cut
• Sand is assumed to be drained with zero pore
pressure.
• Clay is assumed to be undrained and pore water
pressure is not considered (total stress analysis).
BRACED EXCAVATIONS
CE 163
DESIGNING VARIOUS COMPONENTS

OF THE BRACED EXCAVATION SYSTEM
COMPONENTS OF THE BRACED EXCAVATION
SYSTEM
• Determination of axial stresses in struts.
• Determination of maximum bending moment
and flexural stresses in sheet piles
• Determination of maximum bending moment
and flexural stresses in whaler beam
• Stability issues:
– Bottom heave (Clay)
– Piping due to seepage (Sand)
FINITE ELEMENT SEEPAGE ANALYSIS
BRACED EXCAVATIONS
CE 163
ESTIMATING GROUND SETTLEMENT

DUE TO BRACED EXCAVATIONS
Comments
• Ground movement due to braced excavations is
strongly influenced by:
– The type of soil in which the excavation is being
done
– The specific system by using to brace the excavation
– Skill and workmanship of the excavation contractor
– Exacerbating site conditions with emphasis to
ground water conditions.
BRACED EXCAVATIONS
CE 163
CASE STUDIES OF BRACED

EXCAVTIONS
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) subway
(1970)
National Plaza, Chicago, Illinois
(1972)
Comments
• In most cases, measured strut loads differ widely
from those predicted due to uncertainties in the
soil parameters assumed.
• Actual design loads are substantially higher than
those measured
• Peck’s method give lateral earth pressures that
are higher than those measured.
• Local knowledge gain from prior experience can
substantially reduce the inherent conservatism.
THE END

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BRACED EXCAVATIONS

BRACED EXCAVATION SYSTEMS

APPARENT PRESSURE DIAGRAMS

DESIGNING VARIOUS COMPONENTS

ESTIMATING GROUND SETTLEMENT

CASE STUDIES OF BRACED

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