A numerical study of anchored sheet piles subjected to different types of sandy soils backfill

A numerical parametric study using the finite element program of PLAXIS was performed on single and double anchored sheet piles systems using different types of sandy soil backfill (loose, medium dense, and dense sand). This numerical study aimed at evaluation of the variation of maximum values of bending moments and anchor forces exerted in the sheet piles.

This evaluation was affected by varying of some parameters such as the embedded depth, positions of anchor rods either the upper rod or the lower one, and the sheet pile wall flexural rigidity. For all cases, a surcharge strip load of different values covering a width of about 0.5 of the free height (h) was placed at a free distance of 0.20 h away from the wall of sheet pile.

Furthermore, the effect of earth pressure due to both the own weight of backfill soil and the surcharge were considered. The study results indicated that the forces developed in the lower anchor rods are always higher than those developed in the upper anchor rods. The higher value of maximum bending moment achieved at the stiffer sheet pile wall. Finally, in the double anchored sheet pile wall, the lower values of anchor forces and that of maximum bending moments were achieved at the higher density of the soil.

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