Tutorial 3 CE9170 – Foundation Engineering
Braced cuts
(1) From the first principles, determine the maximum unsupported depth of a vertical cut in
a homogeneous clay deposit with an undrained shear strength 𝑪𝒖 and unit weight 𝜸.
(2) A vertical excavation of depth 12 m in a stiff clay (𝑪𝒖 = 60 kPa, 𝜸 = 18 kN/m3) is supported
by sheet piles and a bracing system as shown in Fig.1. The struts are spaced at 3 in the
horizontal direction. Using Peck's pressure diagrams,
I. draw the earth pressure envelope
II. determine the strut load at levels A, B and C
III. determine the maximum bending moment per metre width of sheet piles
IV. determine the maximum bending moment in wales at level A.
Assume that the wales are simply connected to the struts.
5.0 m
3.0 m
3.5 m
3.5 m
2.0 m
(3) Show that the factor of safety against bottom heave of a long-braced cut of depth 𝜸 in a
clayey soil of having an undrained shear strength 𝑪𝒖 and unit weight 𝜸, can he have expressed
by,
𝑪 𝒖 𝑵𝒄
𝑭𝑶𝑺 =
𝜸𝑯
Also show that, the walls of the above cut can be kept stable without using braces by filling
4𝐶𝑢
the excavation up to the ground surface with a slurry having a unit weight of (𝛾 − ).
𝐻
Determine the FOS against the bottom heave of an excavation in a soft clay (𝑪𝒖 = 40 kPa, 𝜸 =
18 kN/m3) having a width, length and depth of 2 m, 6 m, and 6 m respectively. You may use
the chart given below.
Also evaluate the the FOS against the collapse of the side walls if a bentonite slurry having a
unit weight of 11.5 kN/m3 is filled into the excavation.
Tutorial 3 CE9170 – Foundation Engineering
Embedded walls
2.5 m
𝛾𝑑𝑟𝑦 = 17 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
𝑐′ = 0
∅′ = 350
(4)
(a) A retaining wall is to be constructed in dry sand using anchored sheet piling as shown in
the above Figure. For minimum FOS =1 with respect to available passive resistance, determine
the required depth of embedment using the following methods
I. simplified Gross pressure method
II. A more realistic net pressure method
(b) For the above problem, if the water table being 1.0 m below the bottom of the excavation,
determine the required depth of embedment of the piling to give a factor of safety of 2.0 with respect
to passive resistance. The unit weight of the sand above the water table is 17 kN/m3 and below the
water table the saturated unit weight is 20 kN/m3. You can use the simplified pressure profile method.
(5) In a river bank protection scheme, an anchored sheet pile wall is driven to support sand
up to a depth of 8.0 m. Anchor rods are provided at 1.5 m below the top and at 2.5 m centre
to centre. The sand has angle of friction 35°. The surface of the retained material is to be
horizontal and level with top of the wall. During heavy rains the water level rises to 6.0 m
below the top of the wall.
Tutorial 3 CE9170 – Foundation Engineering
I. For a factor of safety (Fp) of 2 with respect to passive resistance, determine the design
depth. Assume γ=18 kN/m3, γ_sat =20 kN/m3.
II. Comment on your answer to Question (1), if the fixed earth support method is used.
(6) The Figure below shows a line of sheet piling driven 6.00 m into a stratum of soil 8.60 m
thick, by an impermeable stratum. On one side of the piling the depth of water is 4.50 m; on
the other side the depth of water (reduced by pumping) is 0.50 m. The soil has a permeability
of 1.5 × 10–5 m/s.
Assume there is a steady state seepage and the uniform dissipation of differential head
along the flow path adjacent to the wall.
Determine the following from the basic concepts (Total head = Pore water pressure +
Pressure due to elevation head). Consider the downstream as datum.
I. The water pressure at the toe of the wall.
II. The water pressure distribution on the wall (both sides)
III. The net water pressure distribution on the wall.
IV. The net force on the wall due to water.
V. What would be the answer to question 1(a), if the top 3m of the existing soil is
replaced with high permeability gravel.
VI. The water pressure distribution on the wall, if the wall is extended into the
impermeable layer.
VII. The effective unit weight of the soil behind the wall and in front of the wall.
Tutorial 3 CE9170 – Foundation Engineering
