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Braced Excavation Example: SPTC walls with struts (SI Units)

Braced Excavation Example: 10m Excavation - SPTC Walls with Strut Supports


In this example we will design two soldier pile and tremied concrete walls with 2 strut rows, supporting a 10 m excavation. The model and analysis have been designed with DeepEX - Shoring Design Software.


A. Project Description


In this example we will design two soldier pile and tremied concrete walls with 2 strut rows, supporting a 10 m excavation. The Figure below presents the project model. Tables 1 and 2 present the soil properties and the stratigraphy respectively. Table 3 presents the external loads. Tables 4 and 5 present the wall and support properties respectively. The general ground surface is at El. 0m and the general water table is at El. -15m.


xsptc_braced_excavation_deepex_siunits_model_2.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.fhUyaLSyQ8.webp

Figure: Project model.


Table 1: Soil properties.


Soil properties

Table 2: Stratigraphy.

Soil Layer

Elevation (m)

OCR

Ko

F

-0

1

0.577

C

-2

1

0.515

S1

-8

1

0.47

S2

-13

1

0.441


Table 3: External loads.

Load

Load Type

Start Point

End Point

Load Magnitude

Load 1

Strip Surcharge

(-15.5,0)

(-0.5,0)

25 kPa


Table 4: Wall parameters.

Pile section

HE 340 A

Piles spacing

2 m

Concrete

C 20/25

Wall width

0.6 m

Wall length

17 m


Table 5: Support parameters.

 

Strut 1

Strut 2

Strut elevation on wall

-3 m

-6 m

Strut spacing

4 m

4 m

Support section

CHS 406.4x16

CHS 406.4x16



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B. Modeling with DeepEX


The model will be created using the DeepEX Model Wizard:


  • Define Analysis Methods:


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Figure: Analysis Methods in DeepEX Wizard.


In this dialog, we choose to apply Limit Equilibrium Analysis method to our model. For the classical earth pressures in design stages with multiple support levels we define FHWA apparent pressures and for the beam analysis we choose CALTRANS method.


  • Define project type and dimensions


xsptc_braced_excavation_deepex_siunits_wizard_2.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.X-32YbvJ5c.webp

Figure: Project Type and Dimensions in DeepEX Wizard.


In this dialog we select the project type (in this case we select the option to create a braced excavation model). Next, we define the project dimensions (final excavation depth, walls depth, excavation width, top of the wall elevation and water table). Finally, we define the support properties (in this case the strut spacing and the strut structural section). The software will use the same properties (spacing, structural sections etc) for all created supports. Later we can access each support on the model area (double-click on the support) and edit the specific support properties.


  • Define soil types and stratigraphy


xwizardgeneral_all_2.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.YvX0Rxke6o (1).webp

Figure: Soil Properties and Soil Layers in DeepEX Wizard.


xwizardgeneral_siunits_2_3.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.AIqf_8tz28.webp

Figure: Soil Properties and Soil Layers dialogs in DeepEX.


In these dialogs we can define the required soil types and the properties for each created soil, as well as, the model stratigraphy by defining the top of the soil layer elevation and the soil type in each layer.


  • Define wall type and wall section properties


xsptc_braced_excavation_deepex_siunits_wizard_4.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.iDxpAjfcWP.webp

 Figure: Wall types in DeepEX Wizard.


xsptc_braced_excavation_deepex_siunits_wizard_4_1.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.3TjmuSbp8U.webp

Figure: Wall Sections dialog in DeepEX.


In these dialogs we select the wall section type (in this case soldier pile and tremied concrete walls (SPTC) with H-Beams, the H-Beam section, the wall spacing and the concrete – steel materials.


  • Define Stages – Support Elevations


xsptc_braced_excavation_deepex_siunits_wizard_5.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.ThsQttQa2z.webp

 Figure: Support Elevations in DeepEX Wizard.


In this dialog, we define the depth from the surface or each support level, as well as, the depth below each support level where we wish to excavate in the stages, before the support is installed. The software automatically calculates all elevations (excavations and support installation levels) of these defined depths and generates all intermediate construction stages.


  • Define Surcharge


xwizardgeneral_siunits_3.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.VUET5q4mIj.webp

Figure: Support Elevations in DeepEX Wizard.


In this dialog we define the surcharge type and properties, as well as the surcharge modeling options. In this case we will use a 25KN strip surcharge, developed for 15m, starting 0.5m behind the left wall. After the model is automatically generated by the software wizard, we can access the stages in the model area and add any required additional loads graphically, using the Draw Loads options in the General tab of DeepEX.


  • Define structural codes:


xwizardgeneral_siunits_4.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.DlxMTOXl5l.webp

Figure: Structural Codes in DeepEX Wizard.


In this dialog, we can define the structural and geotechnical design codes that we wish to assign to this model. In this case, we will use Eurocode 2 and Eurocode 3 specifications for concrete and steel design.


The software automatically creates all project construction stages, according to our selections in the Model Wizard. The following Figures present the models in Stages 3 and 5 respectively:


xsptc_braced_excavation_deepex_englishunits_model_1.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.6NiFqd8lKX.webp

Figure: Generated Model – Stage 3.


xsptc_braced_excavation_deepex_englishunits_model_2.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.7qIKcPGpph.webp

Figure: Generated Model – Stage 5.


 

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Design Methods

Design Methods


Several design methods for the wall beam analysis and various geotechnical standards are implemented!



 

C. Braced Excavation Analysis and Results

 

Since the model is ready, we can choose to calculate the design section, pressing on the button


Selected design



After the analysis is succeeded, the Summary table appears. The table below includes some critical checks and values for each construction stage. The following figures present some graphical results from the results tab of DeepEX.



Table: DeepEX critical results/stage


xsptc_braced_excavation_deepex_siunits_results_1.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.qniHSG9deK.webp

xsptc_braced_excavation_deepex_siunits_results_2.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.yKkYzkVHzB.webp

Figure: Wall moment and shear diagrams, Stage 5.


xsptc_braced_excavation_deepex_siunits_results_3.jpg__800x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.2Lr48ZycVN.webp

Figure: Wall deflections and soil pressures diagrams, Stage 5.


xsptc_braced_excavation_deepex_siunits_results_4.jpg__500x0_q85_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg.pagespeed.ic.Hz7bB7eq7a.webp

Figure: Wall embedment safety factors, Stage 5.


 

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