Comparisons of calculation approaches for the design of retaining walls: Some feedbacks from Grand

Paris projects

Sébastien Burlon, Terrasol-Setec, France

Sebastien.burlon@setec.com

This presentation presents some issues met by engineers for the construction of metro lines and metro
stations around Paris. The typical underground structures built in Paris region are presented and the
main design issues are introduced.

The first part of the presentation deals with the comparison of the two main calculation approaches
used for thei design of retaining wall in Paris: subgrade reaction modulus and continuum media mainly
based on the use of the finite element method. The benefits and the drawbacks of these two
calculation methods are discussed. Various issues are discussed: the initial stress state, the influence
of wall installation (diaphragm walls or sheet pile walls), the influence of the sequence construction,
the capacities of the constitutive laws when the finite element method is used, etc. Regarding the
capacities of the constitutive laws, some comparisons between different approaches are provided: non
linear elasticity approaches appear to be not sufficient to account for settlement just behind the
retaining wall. Constitutive laws including plasticity with hardening mechanisms and contractive flow
rule seem more appropriate. Arching effects in presence of struts are also discussed and a comparison
between subgrade reaction approach and continuum media approach is proposed.

The second part of the paper presents some experimental data of a deep excavation. Strain gauges,
optic fibers, inclinometers have been installed in order to monitor the lateral displacements, the
bending moments and the axial forces into the struts. A comparison with calculation methods used for
the design are provided.

The last part of the presentation is related to the thermoactive structures that can be used both as as
retaining walls and as thermal element to exchange heat with the surrounding ground. Two first metro
stations using this new technology have been built. The main issues for the thermal and mechanical
design are presented.
 Accounting for water in the design of deep excavations (undrained behaviour, swelling, etc.)

Sébastien Burlon, Terrasol-Setec, France

Sebastien.burlon@setec.com

This presentation presents some issues related the water effects: accounting for undrained and
drained behaviour for retaining wall design, groundwater flow effects, swelling of clay by
imbibition/wetting.

Undrained and drained behaviour aspects are mainly discussed in the perspective of calculations
performed with effective stresses. The influence of the constitutive law is precisely discussed. Two
examples are presented: an academic study to clearly show the difference between undrained and
drained calculations using effective stresses concept and a case study based on the collapse of Nicoll
Highway.

Groundwater flow effects are then discussed. Comparisons between calculations taking into account
the hydraulic gradient effects are presented. Two other effects of groundwater flow are also discussed:
erosion and decrease of effective vertical stresses. Some calculations are presented to show that these
two aspects do not systematically evolve in the same.

The last part of the presentation is related to some problems encountered with stiff clays that present
a swelling behaviour with wetting. The main procedures to assess the swelling behaviour are presented
a simple way to take into account this phenomenon in calculations performed with the finite element
method.
 Design of retaining walls: from ASD to LRFD and other factoring approaches

Sébastien Burlon, Terrasol-Setec, France

Sebastien.burlon@setec.com

The first part of the presentation is a comparison between Allowable Stress Design (ASD) approach
and Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) approach. Two examples are used to highlight the
differences and the similarities: a strip foundation submitted to a loading including an inclination and
an eccentricity and a retaining wall. Especially, the case of favourable and unfavourable permanent
actions is analysed and discussed.

The use of LRFD is extended to finite element method approaches. Material Factor Approach based on
shear strength reduction procedures are also introduced. Various examples are presented: strip
foundation, raft foundation, retaining wall, etc. Practical procedures are presented in order to facilitate
the use of these factoring approaches for the design of geotechnical structures using finite element
method.

Some elements about the implementation of Eurocodes in Europe are also presented to illustrate how
to organise a standard system including different approaches.