Shahrood University of Technology

Department of Geotechnical Engineering

Advanced Foundation Engineering

Braced cuts

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
1
 Introduction

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 2

 Introduction

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 3

 Introduction

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 4

 Introduction
Sometimes construction work requires ground excavations with vertical
or near-vertical faces—for example, basements of buildings in developed
areas or underground transportation facilities at shallow depths below
the ground surface (a cut-and-cover type of construction).

The vertical faces of the cuts need to be protected by temporary bracing

systems to avoid failure that may be accompanied by considerable
settlement or by bearing capacity failure of nearby foundations.

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 5

 Introduction
Two types of braced cut commonly used in construction work.
1-One type uses the soldier beam.
The soldier beam is driven into the ground
before excavation and is a vertical steel or
timber beam.

Laggings, which are horizontal timber planks,

are placed between soldier beams as the
excavation proceeds.

When the excavation reaches the desired depth,

wales and struts (horizontal steel beams) are
installed. The struts are compression members.

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 6

 Introduction

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 7

 Introduction

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 8

 Introduction

Braced cut in Chicago

Subway construction, January
1940 (Courtesy of Ralph B.
Peck)

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 9

 Introduction
Two types of braced cut commonly used in construction work.
2-Interlocking sheet piles.

Interlocking sheet piles are driven into the

soil before excavation.

Wales and struts are inserted immediately

after excavation reaches the appropriate
depth.
In this type of construction no lagging
system is needed.

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 10

 Introduction

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 11

 Introduction
To design braced excavations (i.e., to select wales, struts, sheet piles, and soldier
beams), an engineer must estimate the lateral earth pressure to which the braced cuts
will be subjected.

The total active force per unit length of the wall (Pa) can be
calculated by using the general wedge theory.

However, that analysis will not provide the relationships required for estimating the
variation of lateral pressure with depth, which is a function of several factors, such
as the type of soil, the experience of the construction crew, the type of construction
equipment used, and so forth.

For that reason, empirical pressure envelopes developed from field observations are
used for the design of braced cuts. This procedure is discussed in the following
sections.

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 12

Braced Cut Analysis Based on General Wedge Theory

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 13

Braced Cut Analysis Based on General Wedge Theory

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 14

Braced Cut Analysis Based on General Wedge Theory

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 15

Braced Cut Analysis Based on General Wedge Theory

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 16

Braced Cut Analysis Based on General Wedge Theory

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 17

Braced Cut Analysis Based on General Wedge Theory

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 18

Braced Cut Analysis Based on General Wedge Theory

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 19

Pressure Envelope for Braced-Cut Design
The lateral earth pressure in a braced cut is dependent on:
the type of soil, construction method, and type of equipment used.

The lateral earth pressure changes from place to place.

Each strut should also be designed for the maximum load to which it may be
subjected.

❖ Therefore, the braced cuts should be designed using apparent-pressure

diagrams that are envelopes of all the pressure diagrams determined from
measured strut loads in the field.

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 20

Pressure Envelope for Braced-Cut Design

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 21

Pressure Envelope for Braced-Cut Design

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 22

Pressure Envelope for Braced-Cut Design

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 23

Pressure Envelope for Braced-Cut Design

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 24

Pressure Envelope for Braced-Cut Design

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 25

Pressure Envelope for Cuts in Layered Soil

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 26

Pressure Envelope for Cuts in Layered Soil

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 27

Pressure Envelope for Cuts in Layered Soil

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 28

Design of Various Components of a Braced Cut

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 29

Design of Various Components of a Braced Cut

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 30

Design of Various Components of a Braced Cut

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 31

Design of Various Components of a Braced Cut

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 32

Design of Various Components of a Braced Cut

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 33

Design of Various Components of a Braced Cut

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 34

Design of Various Components of a Braced Cut

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 35

Design of Various Components of a Braced Cut

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 36

Subway Extension of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 37

Subway Extension of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 38

Construction of National Plaza (South Half) in Chicago

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 39

Construction of National Plaza (South Half) in Chicago

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 40

Bottom Heave of a Cut in Clay

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 41

Bottom Heave of a Cut in Clay

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 42

Stability of the Bottom of a Cut in Sand

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 43

Stability of the Bottom of a Cut in Sand

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 44

Stability of the Bottom of a Cut in Sand

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 45

Stability of the Bottom of a Cut in Sand

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 46

Stability of the Bottom of a Cut in Sand

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 47

Stability of the Bottom of a Cut in Sand

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 48

Stability of the Bottom of a Cut in Sand

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 49

Stability of the Bottom of a Cut in Sand

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 50

Stability of the Bottom of a Cut in Sand

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 51

Lateral Yielding of Sheet Piles and Ground Settlement

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 52

Lateral Yielding of Sheet Piles and Ground Settlement

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 53

Lateral Yielding of Sheet Piles and Ground Settlement

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 54

Lateral Yielding of Sheet Piles and Ground Settlement

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 55

Problems:
Principles of Foundation Engineering, Braja M. Das, Eighth Edition 2016.

₋ 15.2
₋ 15.4
₋ 15.6
₋ 15.10
₋ 15.11

Mohsen Keramati, Ph.D. , Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, 56