7 Case Studies For Soldier Piles Used in Support of Excavations

Soldier piles are a very common type of foundation for supporting excavation. They are often used when unstable soils must be bypassed and in seismic areas. In this post, we will explore seven case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of soldier piles as a foundation system. Each example showcases how these foundations can improve the stability of an excavation while mitigating potential risk. So, if you're considering using soldier piles for your next project, be sure to read on!

 

Case study of deep excavation in Toronto.

In order to support the excavation of basements in high-rise buildings in Toronto, a few levels are usually constructed into the ground. This is due to the limited space in densely populated urban environments. Deep excavation for the construction of underground structures will induce large stress and strain, which may lead to damage of adjacent structures and utilities. As the soil stress-strain behavior is non-linear and affected by many factors, it is difficult to predict the ground movement induced by excavation. In practices, field measurements are widely used by excavation contractors to monitor soil behavior and control ground movement.

 

Design and Construction of a Soldier Pile and Lagging Wall in Piedmont Residual Soil.

Soldier pile walls - 3D numerical analysis of soldier pile embedment

 

Lateral Earth Pressure on Lagging in Soldier Pile Wall Systems

Timber lagging design has traditionally been based upon the designer's experience or empirical rules.  

One such method is the Goldberg Zoino chart used by the Federal Highway Administration.  Most of these methods restrict the designer to a consistent soil profile, certain pile spacing, construction grade timber lagging, and limited depth.  The methods do not take into account surcharge loads or a variety of other factors that could arise.  A designer working outside of ordinary circumstances with unusual loads, varying soil conditions, or alternate lagging materials has difficulty estimating lateral earth pressure.

For example, pile driving contractors are not likely to install piles at the specified 10-foot intervals and will instead try to minimize their costs by installing fewer piles over a larger area. This will result in increased earth pressure on the remaining piles due to the increased load being distributed among fewer piles. The designer must account for these factors in order to provide an accurate estimate of lateral earth pressure.


Read More at the link below:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284575737_Lateral_Earth_Pressure_on_Lagging_in_Soldier_Pile_Wall_Systems

 

Lateral Behavior of Soldier Pile-Type Breakwater in Soft Ground

You can read the abstract and download it here. 
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289731540_Lateral_behavior_of_soldier_pile-type_breakwater_in_soft_ground

 

Vertical Stability of Anchored Concrete Soldier–Pile Walls in Clay

The problem of vertical stability in flexible anchored retaining walls is analyzed and the pattern of the behavior under conditions of poor vertical support is described, on the basis of results from case histories, small-scale tests, and numerical modeling. The possibility of shear stress mobilization in the soil-to-wall interface of anchored concrete soldier–pile retaining walls is discussed. 


The performance of these walls during and after installation can be monitored using a number of methods, including load testing, surface settlements, and pore pressures in the soils behind the wall. These methods can help to identify potential problems with the wall or the soils around it. Ultimately, however, the most important factor in ensuring the safety and stability of these structures is proper design and construction. Soils engineers and pile driving contractors must work together to ensure that these walls are built to last.

 

Simplified Calculation of Heaving of Soldier Piles During Excavation of Foundation Pits

When soils are excavated, they will often rebound due to the loss of stress that was applied to them. This can lead to instability in the foundation pits and structure cracking or failure. There is no theoretical way to calculate the heaving of soldier piles, but a soils engineer can provide some guidance. Based on the unloading stress and rebound deformation of excavations, a simplified method for the heave of soldier piles is proposed considering two types of relations between the depth of the rebound effect under different excavation conditions. The method is useful for estimating the heave of soldier piles in weak to medium stiff soils. It can also provide guidance for pile driving contractors when excavating in these soils.

 

Numerical Simulation of Tieback Excavations with Soldier Piles Using a New Unified Soil Model Considering at Rest Condition

As any geotechnical engineer knows, tieback retaining walls are an essential tool for stabilizing excavations. By anchoring the wall to the soil behind it, tiebacks can resist the lateral forces of the soil and prevent the wall from collapsing. However, designing an effective tieback system is a complex process, and there are still many unanswered questions about the behavior of tiebacks during and after construction. In this study, a 3D model was developed to investigate the earth pressure diagram and horizontal movement of tieback walls during excavation. The results of the study will help engineers to design more effective tieback systems and improve the safety of construction sites.

Request text version below.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334472799_Numerical_Simulation_of_Tieback_Excavations_with_Soldier_Piles_Using_a_New_Unified_Soil_Model_Considering_at_Rest_Condition

 
soldier pile construction
 

Conclusion

The case studies of soldier piles and deep excavation have shown that the use of these systems can provide support for excavations. Shore Systems Group has been involved in many projects where we have installed soldier piles and lagging walls to provide support for excavation. If you are interested in learning more about how our company can help with your excavation or foundation needs, please contact us today. We would be happy to discuss your project with you and provide you with a proposal outlining our services.

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Excavation Support Systems for Foundation Construction

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Support of Excavation Using Soldier Piles