Effect of potential swell pressures on anchored sheet pile walls

Design of retaining walls usually specifies cohesionless soils as backfill material behind the wall; however, local soils which may be expansive are sometimes used due to economic reasons. In addition, the in-situ retaining walls, such as anchored sheet pile walls, are installed in existing soils that may be expansive. Retaining walls installed in expansive soils are subjected to additional lateral pressures during swelling and anchor forces can also increase if the walls are anchored. In this study, the effect of potential swell pressures of expansive soils on the anchored sheet pile walls were modelled and investigated. The swell pressure magnitudes were determined using empirical correlations based on plasticity index. Stress distribution due to the potential swell pressure capacity of expansive soils was proposed. The effect of potential swell pressures on the wall penetration depth, bending moments, and anchor forces are investigated and presented in this paper. The findings of the study show that expansive soil swell pressures have the potential to significantly affect anchored sheet pile walls.