CV 311

Lab 6
Submerged Construction of an
Excavation

Name: Shivneel.V. Swamy

Student ID: s11189896
Course Coordinator: Thomas Kishore
Introduction
An important concept in geotechnical engineering is excavation, which is crucial in determining the characteristics and
properties of the soil. Excavation is carried out to uncover different soil layers to determine their stability, strength, and
composition. It is the initial phase of planning and designing any underground structures. To mitigate the risk of structural
failure, the information gathered from excavation analysis is used to propose suitable reinforcement systems and foundation
designs. Therefore, excavation is a crucial component of geotechnical engineering because it gives engineers the necessary
information that they require to create structures that are safe, durable, and economical. [1]
As mentioned above excavation plays a crucial role in various applications within the realm of geotechnical engineering.
One such application is the construction of large infrastructure projects such as bridges, highways, and tunnels. For such
projects significant excavation is necessary to prepare the site. Geotechnical engineering also uses excavation for landslide
prevention and slope stability. In order to reduce the possibility of failures such as slides, slopes are excavated. The material
removed from the excavation can then be utilized to stabilize slopes, build retaining walls, and build bridges. Excavation
has various applications in geotechnical engineering; thus, it is important for large construction projects. [2]
Furthermore, open excavation is one of the most commonly used geotechnical excavation techniques. This technique
involves physically removing rocks and soil from the site with the aid of heavy machinery like bulldozers and excavators.
For small to medium-sized projects where the soil conditions are not too complex or challenging to handle, open
excavation is ideal. On the other hand, techniques like drilling, blasting and tunneling are also used for more large-
scale projects where the geology is more difficult. These methods however can be costly and require more expertise and
skill to conduct. [1]
In geotechnical engineering, there are a number of factors that can have an effect on excavation procedure. One such
factor is soil type, which has a direct impact on excavation rate and the type of equipment required. For example,
excavations in clay soils require for slower digging speeds and more advanced excavation techniques like jet grouting and
soil freezing. The possibility of a collapse also exists while excavating in loose and sandy soils, requiring additional safety
precautions such retaining walls and shoring systems. [3]
Various engineering projects, which include the building of underground structures and foundations, require geotechnical
excavation. It is especially beneficial in areas with rock formation or unstable soil, where digging can be risky and difficult.
Some benefits of geotechnical excavation go beyond financial savings and improved productivity. The strength and
stability of the surrounding soil can a be increased through proper soil excavation, which can also result in designing of
foundations that are better suited to endure natural disasters like earthquakes and landslides. [4]

Figure 1.0 Excavation procedure for Foundation

For this following lab with the aid of Plaxis we analyzed the submerged construction of an excavation close to a river.
Question
Question 1
Diaphragm wall is a continuous reinforced concrete wall that is built in the ground to support large scale construction
projects such building dams, tunnel approaches, deep basements, and enclosures. It facilitates cut off provision in order to
support deep excavation.
Question 2
For this lab two separate data sets were created; one for clay layer and one for sand layer. To create material sets on Plaxis
the materials button in the modify soil layers window was clicked. Then in the material sets window the new button was
clicked to create a new data set. For the clay layer, the identification name was set to clay and hardening soil was selected
as the material model. Drainage type was set to undrained (A). The properties of the clay layer were entered according to
table 3 in the lab manual, in the General, Parameters and flow parameters tab sheets. Next, in the interfaces tab under
Strength the manual option was selected and a value of 0.5 was entered for R inter. Furthermore, in the initial tab sheet the
default option for the ko determination and the default value for the over consolidation ratio (OCR). The pre-overburden pressure
(POP) was set to 0.5. For the sand layer, the identification name was set as Sand. Hardening soil was selected as the Material model.
The material type was set to Drained. The properties of the sand layer were entered according to table 3 in the lab manual in
the General and Parameters tab sheets. The interfaces tab was clicked. Under the strength box the manual option was
selected. A value of 0.67 was entered for the parameter R inter. The data set was closed. The material data set was assigned to
the corresponding soil layers.
Question 3
The Soft soil model is suitable for modelling soil behavior under moderate to high strains, which is common in problems
involving soil-structure interaction. It is appropriate for soft soil deposits. On the other hand, the Hard soil model is suitable
for simulating soil where strength increases as a result of increased effective stress. The HSM model is appropriate for
simulating sandy or silty soils.
Question 4
The geometry shows the effective principal stresses that are acting on three middle stress points of each soil element with
an indication of their direction and their relative magnitude. The 5kN/m^2/m represents the load applied from 2m from the
diaphragm wall up to 7m from the wall.
Question 5
Results for:
Soil settlement analysis
Slope stability analysis
Consolidation analysis
Steady state groundwater

Conclusion
In conclusion, excavation is a vital aspect of geotechnical engineering that involves the removal of soil or rock for
construction, mining, or exploration purposes. Excavation enables a project to take place, providing an opportunity to
construct buildings, roads, bridges, pipelines, and other structures that are crucial to society. Therefore, an introduction to
excavation in geotechnical engineering is essential for civil engineers and construction professionals, whether for planning,
design, or construction of a project.

References
[1] A.Roberts, Applied Geotecnology, Pergamon Press, 1981.

[2] J. P. Guyer, "An Introduction to Excavation for Structures for Professional Engineers," 2022.

[3] P. G. Sherif Agaiby, ENGINEERING CHALLENGES FOR SUSTAINABLE UNDERGROUND USE, SPRINGER,
2017.

[4] C.-Y. Ou, Fundamentals of Deep Excavations, CRC Press, 2021.