Geotechnical structures are increasingly being designed using FEM. A solider pile wall can be analysed in 3D FEM software which can simulate the 3D failure mechanisms around piles. However, due to the general complexity and time consumption of 3D FEM modelling, geotechnical structures are often designed using 2D FEM. In a 2D model it becomes unclear how to account for the failure mechanisms around piles. The present research explores a new way of modelling soldier pile walls in Plaxis 2D where the piles of the wall are modelled using the embedded beam row of Plaxis 2D. The behaviour of this feature was examined by comparing results of this approach with results obtained using conventional plate elements in a 2D model, using a 3D model in Plaxis 3D, and using traditional software for retaining wall design based on the earth pressure theory of Brinch Hansen. The research has shown that the embedded beam row feature can yield results which closer resembles the results using traditional retaining wall design software. Consequently, this new approach results in a safer design avoiding overestimation of safety levels which could otherwise be present using conventional plate elements.
10th European Conference on Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering (NUMGE2023)
8. Excavations and retaining structures