Application of Steel Sheet Pile Embedded Retaining Wall as a Bridge Abutment

Modified sheet pile abutments for low volume road bridges

“…This means that primarily lateral forces control the design approach. A case study on the application of sheet pile structures acting as bridge abutment systems (by computer analysis) has shown this method to be practical for design (Chung et al, 2004). In this study, the structure analyzed was a 68.9 ft single span bridge with 26.9 ft long sheet pile lengths (12.1 ft embedment depth, fully backfilled) in a cohesionless soil with a 35 degree angle of internal friction;…”

“…A second order (or P-Delta) analysis was also performed to investigate the combined loading effects on the structure. It was found that, since the maximum deflection was only 0.15 in., stresses induced by the eccentricity of the axial load can be considered negligible (Chung, 2004).…”

“…The bearing capacity of steel sheet piling is assumed to be derived from end-bearing and skin friction resistance (Chung, 2004). For the purposes of calculating ultimate bearing capacity, steel sheet pile retaining wall abutments can be considered as driven piling.…”

“…The ASCE (1996) presents design methods for both cantilever and anchored walls. For analysis of lateral loads in anchored walls, the free earth support method is recommended for its simplicity and economy in design (Chung, 2004). The free earth method tends to overestimate maximum moments however by using Rowe's moment reduction curves (ASCE, 1996) one can compensate for this overestimation.…”