Investigation on Static Stability of Sheet Pile Quay Wall Improved by Cement Treated Sea-Side Ground from Centrifuge Model Tests

• Published in: SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 563 - 575
• Main Authors: Khan, Mruhulamin, Hayano, Kimitoshi, Kitazume, Masaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Elsevier B.V 01.08.2008; The Japanese Geotechnical Society; Japanese Geotechnical Society
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; cement deep mixing; centrifuge model; clay ground; Earthwork. Foundations. Retaining walls; Exact sciences and technology; Geotechnics; Hydraulic constructions; IGC: K6; Port facilities and coastal structures. Lighthouses and beacons; quay walls; sheet piles; Structure-soil interaction; centrifuge model; clay ground; sheet piles; quay walls; cement deep mixing; IGC: K6; Centrifuge; Clay; Mixing; Deflection; Structural stability; Steady state stability; Displacement; Quay wall; Experimental result; Bending moment; Cement; Numerical simulation; Structure soil interaction; Model test; Sheetpile curtain; sheet piles (IGC: K6)
• ISSN: 0038-0806; 1881-1418
• DOI: 10.3208/sandf.48.563

The static stability of sheet pile quay walls on a thick clay deposit against horizontal loads was studied through a series of centrifuge model tests. In the tests, an overconsolidated Kaolin clay layer was prepared over a layer of dense Toyoura sand in a rectangular container. The model quay wall was set to the bottom of the sand layer. The sea-side area adjacent to the quay wall was improved with cement-treated Kawasaki clay. Under 50 g centrifugal acceleration, the clay deposit was consolidated and horizontal line loads of about 0 to 70 kN/m were applied to the quay wall. The width and the depth of the improved area were varied and its performance was compared with that of a quay wall embedded in unimproved ground. Results of the study indicated that the improved ground provided significant resistance against horizontal loading. In addition, a numerical model to estimate the mechanical behavior of the sheet pile quay wall is presented. The outcomes of the numerical model show good agreement with the centrifuge test results.