-

Cofferdams and Braced Cuts

1-Cofferdams
Cofferdams are temporary enclosures that keep away earth and water from the
construction area.

Figure (1) cofferdam

, ()1
1-2Classification of Cofferdams
:
:
:
-
-
-
-
-
-

1
 -

:
:
-
- (- -)
-
- ( )
.
:
- .
-
.
1-3Thecommon types of cofferdams
Following are some of the common types of cofferdams
(1) Earth fill cofferdam
(2) Rock fill cofferdam
(3) Single wall cofferdam
(4) Double wall cofferdam.
(5) Cellular cofferdam
1-3-1 The Earth cofferdams



(.)2

2
 -

Figure (2) Earth cofferdam

1-3-1-1 Materials used in Earth Cofferdams

:
-

.
-

-

(.)3

Figure (3) Earth cofferdam with sheet pile core

3
 -

1-3-1-2 Design of Earth cofferdams

:
-1

( )4:
-1
. )1(

Figure (4) Dimensions of Earth Cofferdam

-2 ( )1
6 ()2
Table (1) Dimensions of Earth Cofferdam
)The dam height H(m) Free height Hf (m )The top width A (m
>4.5 1.2-1.5 1.85
4.5-7.5 1.5-1.8 1.85
7.5-15 1.85 2.5
15-22.5 2.1 3.0
<22.5 2.1 3.0

4
 -

Table (2) Slopes of Earth Cofferdams

1:2 1:2.5
1:2.5 1:3
1:2 1:2.5 15
1:1.25 1:3 15
1:2.5 1:3
1:2 1:2.5

-2

.
-3

.
-4
:
-


.
Fd=Pwl+Pel+Pw2-Pe2
FR= S.C+W tan
Where:
Pwl,Pel, Pw2 and Pe2
S
C

5
 -

W

( )
( ).
F.o.s= FR/ Fd
-

( )5 :
Fd=(W1+W2+W3) sin
FR= C. b+(W1+W2+W3) cos . tan
Where:
W1
W2
W3
C

b

Figure (5) Equilibrium of insulating layer

-

6
 -

1-3-2 Rock fill cofferdams

1:1.25
(.)6

Figure (6) Rock fill cofferdam

1-3-3 Single sheet piles cofferdams

,
( .)7
( .)8

7
 -

Figure (7) Single sheet piles cofferdams

Figure (8) Single sheet pile cofferdam

( )9

.

8
 -

Figure (7-9) Distribution of Earth pressure on Cofferdams

1-3-4 Double sheet piles cofferdams

(.)11 ( )10

9
 -

Figure (10) Double sheet pile cofferdam

Figure (11) Double sheet piles cofferdams

1-3-5 Cellular cofferdams

A cellular cofferdam is constructed by driving sheet piles of special shapes to
form a series of cells as shown in figure (12). The cells are interconnected to
form a watertight wall. These are filled with soils to provide stability against
the lateral forces.

10
 -

.

.

Figure (7-12) Cellular cofferdams

1-3-1 -1Types of Cellular Cofferdams
There are two types of cellular cofferdams, namely diaphragm type cellular
cofferdam and circular type cellular cofferdam.
a)Diaphragm Type cellular cofferdam

,
.


.
This type of cellular cofferdam consists of circular arcs at the inner and outer
sides, which are connected by straight diaphragm walls as shown in figure
(13). The connection between the curved parts and diaphragms are made by

11
 -

means of specially fabricated Y- elements. The cofferdam is made from

interconnected steel sheet piles. The cells are filled with coarse-grained soils,
which increase the weight of the cofferdam and its stability. The leakage of
the cofferdam is also reduced. To avoid rupture of the diaphragm due to
unequal pressures on the two sides, it is essential to fill all the cells at
approximately the same rate. The advantage of the diaphragm type is that the
effective width of the cofferdam may be increased easily by lengthening the
diaphragm.

Figure (13) Diaphragm cellular cofferdams

b) Circular Type cellular cofferdam

.

.

12
 -

.
It consists of a set of large diameter circular cells interconnected by arcs of
smaller diameter. This is shown in Figure (14). The walls of the connecting
cells are perpendicular to main circular cell of large diameter. The segmental
arcs are joined by special T-pile to the main cell. The circular type of cellular
cofferdam is self sustaining, independent of the adjacent circular cells. Each
cell can be filled independently. The stability of such cells is much larger as
compared with the diaphragm type. The circular type is more expensive as
compared to the diaphragm type, because these require more sheet piles and
skilled technology for setting and driving the pile. As the diameter of the
circular cell is limited by interlock tension, their ability to resist large lateral
pressures due to high head is restricted.

Figure (14) Circular cellular cofferdams

13
 -

Problem (1)
State the types of cofferdams, indicating the circumstances under which each
is most suitable.
Solution
a)Following are some of the common types of cofferdams
(1) Earth fill cofferdam
(2) Rock fill cofferdam
(3) Single wall cofferdam
(4) Double wall cofferdam.
(5) Cellular cofferdam.
b) Circumstances:
(1) Earth fill cofferdam:- The use of this variety is limited in the vicinity
where the impervious earth is available and the water depth is shallow with
low velocity of flow. This type is not used where there is danger of
overtopping of water.
(2)Rock fill cofferdam:- These are constructed by placing rock along stream.
They can be used for depths of water up to about 3 m and are suitable even in
swift waters. These are economical in places where rock is available in plenty.
(3)Single wall cofferdam:- This type of cofferdam is suitable when available
working space is limited and area enclosed is small. It can be used up to a
depth of water equal to 25 m.
(4) Double wall cofferdam:- Double wall cofferdams are provided to enclose a
larger area. This type is useful where scour problems and space limitations are
prevalent.
(5) Cellular cofferdam:- These are suitable for dewatering large areas. These
can withstand overtopping of water. These types of cofferdams are used in
case of bridges with long spans.

14
 -

1-3-1 -2Design of cellular cofferdams

-
:
B=0.85H
:
B=A/2L
Where:
A
2L
:
B= 0.78 D to 0.875 D
Where:
D=1.2H
H
L
:
( )15:
- : .
- :
:
( 1 1 : )
2( 1 : )
( 3 1 : .)
:
:
-
Check against sliding can be calculated as follow:

15
 -

W.
F .S. = 1.25 1.50
PW PA pp
Where:
W=B {(H-H1) T+H1 sub}
Pw= 0.5w H2
PA=0.5sub Ka H2
Pp= Pp+Pw1 +
Pp=0.5sub Kp H4
Pw1= 0.5w H32
=0.5 for smooth rock,
= tan for other soil

Figure (15) Forces affected on cellular cofferdams

-
Check against overturning can be calculated by taking a moment about point
A, as follow:
MR
F .S. = 3 3.50
MO
Where:
MR =Resistance moment

16
 -

W .B H4
= MR Pp1 Pw1 H 3
2 3 3

MO= Overturning Moment

H H2
Mo = Pw Pa
3 3

-
Factor of safety can be calculated as follow:
qult
= F .b.c 2.0 2.50
Where: W / B 6MO / B 2
qult
:
-
-
-
-
)Problem (2
Design the cofferdam shown in the figure below:

17
 -

Solution
B=0.85 H = 0.85x20=17m
Where the fill is fine particles, so the inclination of saturation line =3:1
H3=20-17/3=14.34 m
H1=20-8.5/3=17.16m
ka=(1-sin35)/(1+sin35) = 0.27
kp=3.69
PA=0.5sub Ka H2 = 0.5x10x0.27x8= 86.4kN, ya=8/3=2.67m
Pw= 0.5w H2 = 0.5x10x20=2000 kN, y1= 20/3=6.67m
Pp=0.5sub Kp H4 = 0.5x10x3.69x5=461.25kN, yp=5/3=1. 67m
Pw1= 0.5w H32 =0.5 x10 x 14.34= 1028.178kN, y2=4.78m
Pp= Pp+Pw1 = 461.25+1028.178=1489.428kN
W=B {(H-H1) T+H1 sub}=17{ (20-17.16)x18+17.16x 8}=3202.8kN

Check against sliding

W=3202.8kN
= tan =tan35=0.7

W.
F .S. = 1.25 1.50
PW PA pp

3202.8 x0.7
F .S. = 3.75 1.25 1.50safe
2000 86.4 1489.42
18
 -

Check against overturning:

Check against overturning can be calculated by taking a moment about point
A.
MR
F .S. = 3 3.50
MO
W .B H4
MR = Pp1 Pw1 H 3
2 3 3
=3202.8x8.5+461.25x1.67+1028.178x4.78 =32908.77 kN.m
H H2
Mo = Pw Pa
3 3

= 2000x6.67+86.4x2.67=13570.68kN.m
F.S.=32908.77/13570.68=2.42<3 unsafe
Take B=20m, B/2 =10 m
W=B {(H-H1) T+H1 sub}=20{ (20-17.16)x18+17.16x 8}=3768kN
MR=3768x10+461.25x1.67+1028.178x4.78 =43364.97 kN.m
F.S.=43364.97/13570.68=3.2 safe
3:3.5
.

MR
F .S. = 3.25
MO
W .B
MR = 461.25 x1.67 1028.178 x4.78
2
W=B {(H-H1) T+H1 sub}=B{ (20-17.16)x18+17.16x 8}=188.4B
W.B/2= (188.4B).B/2=94.2B
MR= 94.2B+5684.97
3.25= 94.2B+5684.97/13570.68
B=20.34 m 20.5m

19
 -

Check on soil stresses under the cofferdam

MT=MR-Mo=94.2x20.5+5684.97-13570.68=31701.84 kN.m

W=188.4B=188.4x20.5=3862.2kN

x=MT/W =31701.84/3862.2=8.2 m

x:

e=B/2- x=20.5/2-8.2=1.75m

e :

F1,2 :

W 6e
= F 1,2 ) (1
B B

F1=3862.2/20.5 (1+ (6x1.75)/20.5)=284.9 kN/m

F2=3862.2/20.5(1-(6x1.75)/20.5)=91.9 kN/m>0.0 ok

20
 -

2-Braced Cuts

2-1Using of Braced Cuts

Braced cut is used for different purposes.
1-It is used to resist the lateral pressure.
2-It provides safety to the construction work.
3-It enables deep excavation.
2-3 Types of Braced Cuts
1-Vertical Timber sheeting
2- Steel Sheet Piles
3-Soldier Beams
4- Tie Backs
2-3-1 Vertical Timber Sheeting
8 10

2.5 .

(.)16

21
 -

Figure (16) Vertical Timber sheeting

2-3-2 Steel Sheet Piles

( )17

. )18 (

Figure (17) Steel sheet piles

22
 -

Figure (18) Steel sheet piles

Design of Steel sheet pile
The sheet pile can be calculated as continuous beam resting on the wales, so
the sheet pile can be designed/m
The Wales must be designed as continues beam resting on the struts, so the
reaction on the Wales can be calculated
With the reaction in the struts, the struts can be designed as compression
member. The moment in the strut due to its own weight and buckling must be
taken into consideration.
2-3-3 Soldier Beam

2.5 : 1.5
( .)19


.


.

23
 -

Figure (19) Soldier Beam

2-3-4 Tie Backs

(.)20

Figure (20) Tie Back

24
 -

2-4 Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution on Braced Cuts

)21 (
.

Figure (21) Lateral Earth Pressure on Braced Cuts

Problem (3)
A long trench is excavated in medium dense sand for the foundation of a
multistory building. The sides of the trench are supported with sheet pile walls
fixed in place by struts and Wales as shown in the Figure below. The soil
properties are: = 18.5 kN/m3, c = 0 and = 38
Determine:
(a) The pressure distribution on the walls with respect to depth.
(b) Strut loads. The struts are placed horizontally at distances L = 4 m center
to center.
(c) The maximum bending moment for determining the pile wall section.
(d) The maximum bending moments for determining the section of the wales.

25
 -

Solution
(a) The pressure distribution on the walls
Ka = tan2 (45 - /2)
Pa = 0.65 H Ka = 0.65 x 18.5 x 8 tan2 (45 - 38/2) = 23 kN/m2

26
 -

(b) Strut loads

The reactions at the ends of struts A, B and C are represented by RA, RB and Rc
respectively.
For reaction RA , take moments about B.
RA x3 - 4x23x (4/2) = 0
RA = 61.33 kN
RB1 = 23 x 4-61.33 = 30.67 kN
Due to the symmetry of the load distribution,
RB1 = RB2 = 30.67 kN, and RA = Rc = 61.33 kN.
Now the strut loads are (for L - 4 m)
Strut A, PA = 61.33 x 4 - 245 kN
Strut B, PB = (RBl + RB2 ) x 4 = 61.34 x 4 245 kN
Strut C, Pc = 245 kN.
(c) Moment of the pile wall section
To determine moments at different points it is necessary to draw a diagram
showing the shear force distribution as shown in the figure below

MA = 0.5 x 1 x 23 = 1 1.5 kN. m

Mc = 0.5 x 1 x 23 = 1 1.5 kN. m
Mm =1.33x30.67-(23x1.33/2)= 20.4 kN. m

27
 -

Mn = 1.33x30.67-(23x1.33/2)= 20.4 kN. m

The maximum moment = 20.4 kN.m
A suitable section of sheet pile can be determined
(d) Maximum moment for Wales
The bending moment equation for Wales is
Mmax=RL2/8
Where:
R = maximum strut load = 245 kN
L = spacing of struts = 4 m
Mmax= 245x42/8=490 kN.m
A suitable section for the Wales can be determined
2-4Check to avoid heave
Braced cuts in clay become unstable as a result of heaving of the bottom of the
excavation. The bottom of a cut in sand is generally stable. When the water
table is encountered, the bottom of the cut is stable as long as the water level
inside the cut (excavation) is higher than the ground water table. In case
dewatering is needed the factor of safety, against up lift should be checked.

(
.)

28