The influence of driving imperfections on the water pressure resistance of HZ^®‐M/AZ walls

Abstract

In port structures and other deep excavations, the HZ ® -M/AZ sheet pile wall is widely used as quay wall due to its high bending resistance and stiffness. Each system consists of an HZ ® -M king pile, that acts as a bearing element and two intermediate AZ sheet piles (or infill sheet piles), ensuring the horizontal load transfer (soil pressure, water pressure..) to the king piles. The HZ ® -M and AZ profiles are connected by the RZ connectors (RZD and RZU), while the AZ profiles are installed as double piles connected by a Larssen interlock, as it is shown in the Figure 1. When arching effect is ensured, earth pressure loads will be taken by the king piles and the infill sheets should only transfer the loads from the water pressure. Figure 1 Cross-section of an HZ ® -M wall panel -an example with HZ 1080M A and AZ 25-800 profiles (Source [1]).