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Field studies, analysis and numerical modelling of retaining walls embedded in weak rock

Field studies, analysis and numerical modelling of retaining walls embedded in weak rock
Field studies, analysis and numerical modelling of retaining walls embedded in weak rock

This research has generated a high-quality case record of wall movements, bending moments, temporary prop loads, and vertical contact stresses under the permanent stabilising base of a retaining wall embedded in weak rock (Bromsgrove Sandstone). The field data have been used to investigate suitable geotechnical parameters and models for use in the design of walls embedded in weak rock.

The results of the work presented in this thesis show:

The necessities of recording temperatures in the field, when the measurements being made are temperature sensitive.

The selection of a design approach for a retaining wall in weak rock should depend primarily on the presence and nature of the discontinuities.

From all the stiffness parameters obtained from the different test methods, it would appear that the most suited stiffness parameters for calculating wall movements and bending moments, are those derived from geophysical tests.

The back analysis has suggested that the lateral earth pressure coefficient tends to move towards unity in the ground adjacent to the wall, during the construction of a bored pile wall. This is also the assumption used in many soil mechanics problems. It would appear that this assumption might also be used in weak rock problems, if wall installation is not modelled.

For stabilising base retaining walls, it has been demonstrated that pre-loading the temporary props will help to reduce the wall movements into the excavation. However, pre-loading results in wall movements away from the excavation and greater bending moments during the construction phase. These impacts should also be taken into consideration at the design stage.

University of Southampton
Hayward, Toby
5a3aa0a4-f48a-4efd-b3f9-a6dd26168217
Hayward, Toby
5a3aa0a4-f48a-4efd-b3f9-a6dd26168217

Hayward, Toby (2000) Field studies, analysis and numerical modelling of retaining walls embedded in weak rock. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

This research has generated a high-quality case record of wall movements, bending moments, temporary prop loads, and vertical contact stresses under the permanent stabilising base of a retaining wall embedded in weak rock (Bromsgrove Sandstone). The field data have been used to investigate suitable geotechnical parameters and models for use in the design of walls embedded in weak rock.

The results of the work presented in this thesis show:

The necessities of recording temperatures in the field, when the measurements being made are temperature sensitive.

The selection of a design approach for a retaining wall in weak rock should depend primarily on the presence and nature of the discontinuities.

From all the stiffness parameters obtained from the different test methods, it would appear that the most suited stiffness parameters for calculating wall movements and bending moments, are those derived from geophysical tests.

The back analysis has suggested that the lateral earth pressure coefficient tends to move towards unity in the ground adjacent to the wall, during the construction of a bored pile wall. This is also the assumption used in many soil mechanics problems. It would appear that this assumption might also be used in weak rock problems, if wall installation is not modelled.

For stabilising base retaining walls, it has been demonstrated that pre-loading the temporary props will help to reduce the wall movements into the excavation. However, pre-loading results in wall movements away from the excavation and greater bending moments during the construction phase. These impacts should also be taken into consideration at the design stage.

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Published date: 2000

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 464184
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/464184
PURE UUID: 42683a0f-4e08-47c1-9f81-987687bd647e

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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 21:27
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 19:19

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Contributors

Author: Toby Hayward

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