ANALYSIS OF CANTILEVER SHEET-PILE WALLS IN COHESIONLESS SOIL

A revised method is proposed for the analysis and design of cantilever retaining walls in homogeneous cohesionless soil. Like the current li mit-stage design methods, the revised method is based on assumed linea r pressure distributions but does not require the artificial simplific ations inherent in those methods. Furthermore, these pressure distribu tions provide equilibrium without being directly dependent on assumed limit states in the passive earth support regions. They are dependent, however, on one empirical parameter for which a suitable value is det ermined, from the results of centrifuge model tests, within very narro w limits. The revised method gives critical depths of excavation close r to those observed in centrifuge tests than the current methods, and it is shown to yield complete bending moment distributions, with magni tude and position of maximum bending moments reasonably close to those observed. Finally, simple equations and design curves are presented t o facilitate safe design, their use is illustrated with a typical exam ple, and comparisons are made with the current methods.