6.

5 Proble ms
Example 6.1:Fig Ex.6.1 gives an anchor plate fixed vertically in medium dense sand with the
bottom of the plate at a depth of 3 meter below the ground surface. Determine the ultimate lateral
resistance of the plate. The soil parameters are γ=18 kN/m3 ,  = 30°.if plate size is
i) 12m X 2m
ii) 6m X 2m

Fig Ex.6.1
Solution:
i) For all practical purposes if L/h >5, the plate may be considered as a long beam. In this case
L/h = 12/2 = 6 > 5.
So, ultimate lateral resistance of the plate (Tu) is given by
1
Tu  H 2 K P  K A 
2
Here, K P =3, KA=1/3
Tu= 0.5 18(3-1/3) =216.027 kN/m
ii) If a plate size of 6m X 2m is used;
For a shorter length of plate

Tu  LPp  Pa  
1
3
K 0  
K P  K A H 3 tan 

where, Pp -Pa= 216.027 kN/m

K0 = 1-sin  =0.5, tan  =0.5773,

Tu= 6 216.027+1/3 0.5 18 (√3+√(1/3))=1303 kN

Example 6.2:A long trench is excavated in medium dense sand for the foundation of a multi-
storey building. The sides of the trench are supported with sheet pile walls fixed in place by
struts and wales are shown in Fig Ex.6.2. The soil properties are, γ=17 kN/m3 , c=0,  =350 .
Determine;
i) The pressure distribution on the walls with respect to depth
ii) Strut loads, the struts are placed horizontally at 4m centre to centre
iii)The maximum bending moment for determining the pile wall section.
iv) The maximum bending moments for determining the section of the wales .

A 1m
RA

4m

10 m B RB1

RB2
4m
5m
C
Rc
1m

29.94 kN/m2
Fig Ex.6.2

Solution:
i) For a braced cut in sand use the apparent pressure envelope given in figure,
Pa  0.65HK A =0.65 17 10tan2 (45-35/2)= 29.94 kN/m2

ii) Strut Loads:

For reaction RA, Taking moments about B,
 RA 4=5 29.94 2.5
 RA=93.56 kN= RC
RB1 = 29.94 5-93.56= 56.14 kN
 Due to symmetry, RB1 =RB2 =56.14 kN
Strut load A, Pa= 93.56 5=467.8 kN
Strut load B, P b= 2 56.14 5= 561.4 kN
Strut load c, Pc= 467.8 kN

iii) Shear Force Distribution:

63.62

1m 1.875 m
D B1
2.125 m P

Section DB1
29.94
56.14

63.62

1.875m 1m

Q 2.125m

Section DB2 29.94

56.14

MA= 0.5 1 29.94= 14.97 kNm

MC= 0.5 1 29.94= 14.97 kNm

MP = 0.5 1.875 56.14= 52.63 kNm

MQ= 0.5 1.875 56.14= 52.63 kNm

So the maximum bending moment = 52.63 kNm

iv) Maximum bending moment for Wales

The bending moment equation for wales is

MMax = (RL2 )/8= 561.4 25/8=1754.375 kNm

Example 6.3: The cross section of a long braced cut is shown in Fig Ex.6.6a below. If the struts
are placed at a distance of 3.5m, centre to centre, in the plan, then;
a. Draw the earth pressure envelope.
b. Determine the strut loads at levels A, B & C.
c. Determine the section modulus of the sheet pile section required.
d. Determine the design section modulus for the wales section at B.
Take σall = 180 MN/m2

5m

1m
A

CLAY
3m
γ = 17 kN/m3
B
c= 40 kN/m2

 =0
3m

1m

Fig Ex.6.6a
Part a

We are given γ = 17 kN/m3 , H=8m, c= 40 kN/m2 ,

H 17  8
Hence   3.4  4
c 40

Thus the pressure envelope will be like the one plotted below Fig Ex.6.3b

Maximum pressure intensity =  a  0.3H  0.3  17  8  40.8kN / m 2

Part b

To calculate the strut loads, taking moments about B1 ;

5m

1m
A
2m

3m
40.8
kN/m2 B
4m

3m

2m
1m

Fig Ex.6.6b: Earth pressure distribution diagram

 2m 2m 2m 2m

40.8 40.8
kN/m2 kN/m2

1m A 3m B1 B2 3m C 1m

Fig Ex.6.6c: Determination of reaction

M B1 0
1  2 2
 A  3   40.82 2    240.8   0 Also, Σ vertical forces = 0, thus
2  3 2
 A  63.46 kN / m
1
 40.82  40.82  A  B1
2
 B1  58.94 kN / m
Due to symmetry, B2 = 58.94 kN/m &C= 63.46 kN/m
Hence strut loads at
Level A= PA  63.46  horizontal spacing  63.46  3.5  222 .11kN
Level B= PB  B1  B2   3  58.94  2  3  353 .64kN
Level C=PC = 222.11 kN
Part c
 53.26 KN 53.26 KN

1.445 m B2
A C

G B1 H

10.2 KN 10.2 KN

58.94 KN 58.94 KN

Fig Ex.6.3d: Shear force diagram

For the maximum moment, the shear force should be zero. So, the location of point ‘G’ form B 1
in the shear force diagram is given by,
Re actionatB1 58.94
x   1.445 m
40.8 40.8
1  40.8  1 
Magnitude of moment at A= 1  1  = 3.4 kNm/ metre of wall
2  2  3 
 1.445 
Magnitude of moment at E = 58.94  1.445   40.8  1.445  
 2 
= 42.57 kNm/ metre of wall
Because the loading on the left and right sections of Fig Ex.6.3c are the same, the magnitudes of
the moments at H and C [see Fig Ex.6.3d] will be the same as those at G and A, respectively.
Hence, the maximum moment is 42.57 kN-m/meter of wall.
The section modulus of the sheet piles is thus;
M max 42.57 kNm
S  = 236.5 m3 / metre of wall
 all 180  10 3 kN / m 2
Part d
For the wales section at B,
 B1  B2   s 2 58.94  58.94   3.5 2 = 180.503 kNm
M max  
8 8
M max 180 .503kNm
Section modulus, S   = 1.002  10 3 m3
 all 180  10 kN / m
3 2