Diaphragm (Slurry) Wall - Top/Down Excavation Design Example (SI)

Top/Down Model: Diaphragm Walls with Slabs Supporting a 6.5m Excavation

In this example we will design a 6.5m top down excavation between two concrete diaphragm walls, connected with three levels of concrete slabs. The model is created and analyzed with DeepEX - Shoring Design Software.

A. Project Description

In this example we will design a top down excavation of 6.5m between two diaphragm walls, connected with three slabs. 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.

Diaphragm Wall with Slabs - Top Down Excavation Design Example (SI Units)

Figure: Project model.

Table 1: Soil properties.

Soil Layer

Soil Type

Design parameter

φ’ (deg)

C’/Su (kPa)

γ (kN/m3)

γdry (kN/m3)

ELOAD (kPa)

ERELOAD (kPa)

F

Fill

25

0

19

19

15000

45000

C

Clay

29

65

18.5

18.5

20000

60000

S1

Sand

32

0

20.5

20.5

30000

90000

S2

Sand

34

5

21

21

45000

90000

 

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.

Diaphragm width

0.7 m

Reinf. Steel

S500

Concrete

C20/25

Left reinforcing bars

8 D26

Right reinforcing bars

8 D26

Shear reinforcement

D12 / 12 cm

Wall length

17 m

 

Table 5: Support parameters.

 

Slab 1

Slab 2

Slab 3

Slab elevation on wall

-0.25 m

-3.25 m

-6.25 m

Slab thickness

0.5 m

0.5 m

0.5 m

Slab top reinforcement

4 D18

4 D18

4 D18

Top clearance

5 cm

5 cm

5 cm

Slab bottom reinforcement

4 D18

4 D18

4 D18

Bottom clearance

5 cm

5 cm

5 cm

Concrete

C20/25

C20/25

C20/25

Steel

S500

S500

S500

For the bottom slab, we will choose to have no effective moment connection with the wall. In addition, we will choose to include for this slab user-defined unbraced length of 1.5 m.

B. Modeling with DeepEX

The model will be created using the DeepEX Model Wizard:

  • Define Analysis Methods:

DeepEX Model Wizard - Analysis Methods and Options

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

DeepEX Model Wizard - Project Type and Support Section Options

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 top/down 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 slab spacing and the slab 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

DeepEX Model Wizard - Soil Properties and Stratigraphy (Borings)

Figure: Soil Properties and Soil Layers in DeepEX Wizard.

 

DeepEX Model Wizard - Soil Type - Soil Properties and Soil Layers

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

DeepEX Model Wizard - Wall Type Selection

Figure: Wall types in DeepEX Wizard.

DeepEX Model Wizard - Wall Section Settings and Properties

Figure: Wall Sections dialog in DeepEX.

In these dialogs we select the wall section type (in this case diaphragm walls), the reinforcement, the wall spacing and the concrete – steel materials.

 

  • Define Stages – Support Elevations

DeepEX Model Wizard - Construction Stages Generation Options

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

DeepEX Model Wizard - External Load Options

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:

DeepEX Model Wizard - Structural and Geotechnical Design Codes and Standards

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 4 and 6 respectively:

DeepEX Model - Excavation Model in Stage 4

Figure: Generated Model – Stage 4.

 

DeepEX Model - Excavation Model in Stage 6 - Final Excavation end Base Slab Installation

Figure: Generated Model – Stage 6.

C. Top/Down Excavation Analysis and Results

 

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

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

DeepEX Analysis Results - Analysis and Checking Summary Table

 

DeepEX Analysis Results - Wall Moment and Shear Diagrams, Support Reactions

Figure: Wall moment and shear diagrams, Stage 6.

DeepEX Analysis Results - Wall Displacements and Soil Pressures Diagrams

Figure: Wall deflections and soil pressures diagrams, Stage 6.

DeepEX Analysis Results - Wall Embedment Safety Factors

Figure: Wall embedment safety factors, Stage 6.

Presentations_DeepEX_Projects.png

 

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