Experimental Evaluation of Optimizing Sheet Pile Installation Depth and Distance to Mitigate Liquefaction-Induced Foundation Settlements-Article

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The study evaluates how sheet-pile location and design affect foundation settlement during soil liquefaction. Researchers conducted ten 1g shaking-table tests using a model shallow foundation on layered sandy soil, varying sheet-pile distance from the foundation, embedment into the dense soil layer, thickness, and whether piles were installed on two or four sides.<br /><br />Sheet piles reduced settlement and foundation tilting mainly by restricting lateral soil movement. Performance improved when piles were closer to the foundation and embedded more deeply: the authors recommend locating them within 0.75 times the foundation length from its center and embedding them at least 40% of the liquefiable-layer thickness into the dense layer. Piles placed farther away or with insufficient embedment provided less support. In these tests, thinner piles generally reduced settlement more effectively than thicker ones.<br /><br />Sheet piles had little effect on peak excess pore-water pressure in most configurations, although they accelerated its dissipation. Installing piles on all four sides reduced excess pore pressure more than installing them on two sides and substantially improved control of longitudinal tilting; settlement reductions were broadly similar for the two configurations. The authors identify four-sided installation as the most effective overall arrangement.<br /><br />These findings are based on scaled laboratory tests under one shaking condition, so practical designs should account for site-specific soil and seismic conditions.

Keywords

sheet-pile

foundation settlement

soil liquefaction

shaking-table tests

shallow foundation

lateral soil movement

embedment depth

excess pore-water pressure

foundation tilting

four-sided installation