Finite element analyses of an in situ wall propped at formation level

TLDR: In this article, the effects of soil/wall/prop stiffness and the pre-excavation earth pressure coefficient were investigated and it was found that the wall is very stiff and computed deformations are governed by the assumed stiffness of the soil rather than the flexura! rigidity of the wall.

Abstract: The use of formation-level props to support an in situ retaining wall can result in a structural system which is stiff and remote from rotational failure. However, the interaction between the wail, the soil and a continuous prop slab cannot be analysed using simple techniques. Finite element analyses have been carried out to investigate some of the factors affecting the behaviour of an in situ wall, propped at formation level, retaining 9 m of stiff overconsolidated boulder clay. This Paper describes the results of a parametric study in which the effects of soil/wall/prop stiffness and the pre-excavation earth pressure coefficient were investigated. It is found that, because the wall is very stiff, computed deformations are governed by the assumed stiffness of the soil rather than the flexura! rigidity of the wall. Bending moments in the wall are influenced significantly by the assumed pre-excavation lateral earth pressures and, to a lesser extent, by the nature of the structural connection between the wa...