4.

3 Types of wall Moor

Lane 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 Moorfields
There is a range of wall types to fulfil either Working level Original site level Strutting floor
House
1
1 /4
temporary or both temporary and permanent soil 1
1
support. Their availability varies geographically 1
Raft
according to market demand, predominating subsoil
Blinding
conditions and specialist local labour resources. Table
4.1 summarises wall types with details of depths,
installation verticality tolerances, advantages and
Fill 0 10
limitations. The use of gravity walls such as crib and London Clay metres

gabion walls has not been included, although both Woolwich and Reading beds

may find application to stabilise or support slopes to

allow open excavation for permanent substructure Fig 4.7 Britannic House, London: Method of construction
construction. Later use of such walls has included soil
reinforcement with metal strips and geogrid mesh.
The wall types shown in plan in Figure 4.11 are
Fill
described in the following subsections, with the Ropemaker
Brown Clay
exception of king post walls. London Clay Plane of observation line 'C'
Street
B.P. House
Observation bracket
4.3.1 Sheet piles extended across wall
The economic choice of sheet piles for basement and Plumb line
cut-and-cover construction depends primarily on soil
1 Sump
conditions, depth of excavation and any restrictions 1
Diaphragm wall
on noise and vibration. Typical pile hammers are ODN
shown in Figures 4.12 and 4.13. Recent changes to Line of upper struts
Raft
available sections by steel producers have increased 'Windows' cut in steel tube
giving access to studs on wall
the flexural strength of sheet piles, and developments Line of lower struts
Blinding
in pile installation methods (using hydraulic clamps 0 5 10

and ram equipment) have reduced installation noise metres

and vibration compared with conventional driven

operations. These changes, together with improved Fig 4.8 Britannic House, London: North diaphragm wall after
methods of sealing pile clutches, have led to the bulk excavation and before excavation for struts

Fig 4.9 Britannic House, London: North diaphragm wall Fig 4.10 Britannic House, London: Showing top struts
after bulk excavation and before excavation for struts positioned and preloaded

IStructE Design and construction of deep basements including cut-and-cover structures Chapter Four
49
50

Table 4.1 Wall types for temporary and permanent soil support in basement construction
Wall construction Temporary/permanent Typical Typical Usual installation Advantages/disadvantages Remarks
support wall depth retained height tolerance: verticality
King post wall: Usually only King posts 3.5m as 1:100 Generally only used where (Also known as post-and-lagging
steel UC soldiers temporary support typically cantilever groundwater is below or Berlinoise.) Where good
and timber or r.c. 6 to 20m 12 to 15m formationlevel. Not feasible construction tolerances apply
Chapter Four

(or p.c./p-s.c. + anchored in soft and loose soils. the wall surface may, be
grouting) skin used as a permanent back
wall/lagging shutter to an r.c. wall.

Steel sheet piling Temporary or Typically 8 to 12m 1:75 Vibration and noise can be Re-use of sheet piles
permanent support 10 to 15m. as single overcome in some soils will often determine
(e.g. in car park Max pile propped wall by use of hydraulic cost viability of
IStructE Design and construction of deep basements including cut-and-cover structures

basements). length ~30m. press equipment. Risk temporary sheet piling.

of declutching by obstructions.
R.C. Piles Temporary and 12 to 20m 6 to 15m, 1:100 Cheapest form of r.c. piles Can be used with jet grouting
Contiguous piles permanent support propped when installed by cfa to provide permanent water
(where r.c. facing or anchored equipment. Not a water and soil exclusion.
wall is used). resistant wall.
R.C. Piles Temporary and 12 to 20m 6 to 15m, 1:125 The use of a weak concrete May only be considered water
Hard/soft secant permanent support, propped or mix to allow economical resistant in the short term.
see note regarding anchored excavation of secant by male
durability. piles may also have durability
disadvantages long term.
R.C. Piles The use of a stronger mix for
Hard/firm secant female piles than that used
As for hard/soft secant for hard/soft secants may
improve water resistance and
durability long term.
R.C. Piles Temporary and 15 to 30m 10 to 20m, 1:125 to 1:200 Depth limited by vertical Female pile may be reinforced
Hard/hard secant permanent support, propped or tolerances which influence with UB section, male by UB
usually permanent. anchored depth of cut secant joint, or circular rebar cage. Shear
and their water resistance. plates may be welded to UBs
Avoids the use of slurry. before insertion for
floor connections.
Diaphragm walls Permanent 15 to 30m 12 to 25m, 1:125 Heavy installation plant and Solution to deep walls in
Installed by grab (if temporary, propped or increasing difficulties in variable soil conditions with
then left in place) anchored disposal of slurry pose water retention. Difficulties
disadvantages. may arise with excavation of
obstructions, natural or
otherwise. The wall surface
Diaphragm walls Permanent 15 to 50m 12 to 35m, 1:400 Improved installation
may serve as the final finished
Installed by cutter (if temporary, propped or tolerances but minimum job
surface for some applications.
then left in place) anchored size influenced by large
mobilisation and
demobilisation costs.