2014bc Excavation PDF

20th STATEWIDE CONFERENCE
ON LOCAL BRIDGES
Excavation Protection System

Planning & Design
Syracuse, New York

5 November 2014
Training Manual
Excavation Protection System

Planning & Design
Syracuse, New York

5 November 2014
BIO
Ernest Holmberg, PE
Ernest Holmberg is a Design Squad supervisor for the Geotechnical Engineering
Bureau of the New York State DOT, in Albany, New York. Mr. Holmberg is part of the
Structures Foundation Section, which provides geotechnical design, support, and
quality assurance for bridge, wall, and support structures foundations. The section
analyzes soil structure interaction, provides foundation design and review for any
DOT structure, provides design and review of temporary and permanent retaining
walls, and provides quality assurance of all of the previously mentioned foundations
during construction.
Mr. Holmberg is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and holds a
Bachelors and Masters Degree in Civil Engineering. He is a licensed professional
engineer in New York, and has worked for the Geotechnical Engineering Bureau
for 20 years. In addition to his design squad duties, he is in charge of the Structures
Foundation Training Manual and has trained new bureau engineers since 1998.
ABSTRACT
This course describes the planning and design of Excavation Protection Systems for
bridges and structures following NYSDOT policies and procedures.
The course begins with brief introduction and overview of soil properties and
parameters, safe slope layback, theory of earth pressure, pore water pressures,
effective stress principle, graoundwater effect, Rankine active & passive pressure
and common types of excavation protections systems i.e. sheeting used for highway
& bridge construction.
The course covers typical applications of Cantilevered Sheeting, Anchored
Sheeting, Soldier Pile & Lagging Walls, and Braced Walls for earthwork and
excavation protection commonly used in bridge construction. The advantages and
disadvantages of different earthwork protection systems, detailed earth pressure
distribution for these sheeting systems, design, and detailing of various componenets
are briefly explained with construction picturesemphasizing different site conditions
for the applicable sheeting for protection of earthwork and excavation while
supporting the design loads and stage construction to maintaine and protect
vehicular trafic during construction.
1. Course Introduction and Excavation Protection System Basics 40 min
2. Cantilevered Sheeting 35 min
3. Anchored Sheeting 35 min
4. Soldier Pile and Lagging Walls 35 min
5. Braced Walls 35 min
Excavation
Protection System
Planning & Design
Course Introduction and Excavation Protection System Basics................................ 1
Cantilevered Sheeting................................................................................................... 8
Anchored Sheeting....................................................................................................... 16
Soldier Pile and Lagging Walls..................................................................................... 25
Braced Walls (35 minutes)............................................................................................ 36
Geotechnical Design Proceedure for Flexible Wall Systems................................... 46
NYSDOT Bridge Manual - Section 4............................................................................. 95

Course Introduction and Excavation Protection System Basics
Introduction
The majority of our projects will be rehabilitation or
Excavation Protection System reconstruction of existing structures.
The high traffic volumes on most of our roads preclude
Planning & Design complete closure of the structure.
Staged construction techniques are used on the majority
of our projects.
Geotechnical Engineering Bureau
Excavation support is therefore an essential and integral
component of most our projects.
Presenter: Ernie Holmberg
Course Objectives Common Excavation Support Systems

Describe the common types of excavation protection Cantilever Sheeting Wall
systems used on NYSDOT projects. Anchored Sheeting Wall
Cover the basic theory behind the NYSDOT design of
Cantilever H-pile or Soldier Pile Wall with
excavation protection systems.
Describe the typical applications and limitations of said Lagging
systems. Anchored H-pile or Soldier Pile wall with
Discuss how we plan and layout these systems. Lagging
Discuss how these systems are detailed in our contract Braced Sheeting/H-pile Wall or Cofferdam
plans.
Course References NYSDOT Bridge Manual

GDP-11 Geotechnical Design Procedures for Flexible Wall
Systems, Revision #3, April 2007 Chapter 4:
USS Steel Sheet Piling Design Manual, 1982.
Design of Sheet Pile Walls, ASCE, Technical Engineering and The departments responsibility in designing excavations
Design Guide as adapted from the US Army Corps of Engineers, is to provide support of the roadway and adjacent
No. 15, 1996. structures and utilities. The contractors responsibility in
Foundation Analysis and Design by Joseph E. Bowels, Fourth
Edition, 1988.
performing excavations is to provide protection for the
NAVFAC DM-7.2 Foundation and Earth Structures. workers from cave-ins.
Permanent Grouted Tiebacks, FHWA Demonstration Project
Publication, DP-68-1, 1984.
Soil Engineering 4th Edition by Merlin G. Spangler and Richard
L. Handy, 1982.
1
20th Statewide Conference On Local Bridges Training Session
NYSDOT Bridge Manual

Protection for employees working in an excavation shall
be provided except when:
The excavation is made entirely in stable rock; or
The excavation is less than 5 feet deep and an

examination of the ground by a competent person gives
no indication of a potential cave-in.

For excavation depths from 5 to 20 feet, one of the
following shall be used:
1. If there are no encumbrance with elements which

would require support (traffic lane, utilities, structures,
etc.), a safe slope (typically 1V on 1.5H) should be
detailed.
1V
1.5H
9
NYSDOT Bridge Manual NYSDOT Bridge Manual

2. If there is interference within a safe slope but vibrations are
minor and repairable subsidence is not considered a problem, 3. If 1 or 2 cannot be satisfied, an appropriate support
and there is no interference at least 10 ft. from edge of
system is required and shall be designed and detailed
excavation, then a steeper slope up to 1V on 1H may be used, if
approved by the Regional Geotechnical Engineer or the on the contract drawings.
Geotechnical Engineering Bureau.
For excavations greater than 20 feet, a support system or
10 ft. slope lay back must be site specifically designed and
detailed on the contract plans.
1V
1H
2
13 14
15 16
Drill Logs
Soil Parameter Determination
Subsurface Exploration
- Borings
- Test Pits
- In-situ Testing (Cone Penetrometer,
Field Vane Shear, etc.)
Regional Geotechnical Engineer
Geotechnical Engineering Bureau
(Foundation Design Report)
3
Drill Logs Typical Values for Common Soil

Types

Soil Type Friction Angle Unit Weight
(Degrees) (pcf)
SILT 28 - 30 110 - 130
SAND 30 - 32 110 - 130
GRAVEL 32 - 34 120 - 140
CLAY (drained 22 - 26 110 - 120

condition)
ORGANIC Consult GEB Consult GEB
Soil Parameters in Plans

Groundwater
Groundwater elevation determination

-Hydrostatic Force
-Submerged Unit Weights
Based on groundwater elevations on

drill logs or nearby bodies of water
Soil Parameters in Plans Total Vertical Pressure

NYSDOT typically recommends using: Ground Surface
Wall Friction = 0
z = Soil Unit Weight
Cohesion = 0 (Drained Condition)
z = depth
Using wall friction or cohesion in the design of O
excavation support systems results in un-conservative
designs.
Total Vertical Pressure at Point O = V = z
4
Pore Water Pressure (Neutral Pressure) Effective Stress Principle

Water Surface
Effective Vertical Stress:
zW
uV
V = V - u
uH zW = depth from water
uH table to point Where: V = z
O W = total unit weight of u = zW W
uV water, 62.4 pcf
Neutral Pressure at Point O = u = uH = uV = zW W So: V = z - zW W
Effective Stress Principle 2 Effective Stress Principle - Example

Given:
= 120 pcf
Groundwater Surface
z 10 ft W = 62.4 pcf
zW 5 ft
O O
Effective Stress at Point O = V = z - zW W Find: Effective Stress at Point O
Effective Stress Principle Example 2 Rankine Earth Pressures

Given:
Assumes:
= 120 pcf
10 ft
-The wall is smooth (no wall friction)
W = 62.4 pcf -Vertical wall
5 ft -Failure occurs in the form of a sliding
wedge along an assumed failure plane
O defined as a function of the soils angle
Effective Stress at Point O = V = z - z W W
V = (10)(120) (5)(62.4)
V = 888 psf
5
Rankines Active State Rankines Passive State
Failure Failure
Wedge Wedge
H H
FA FP
H/3 H/3
45 - /2 45 + /2
KA H KP H
KA = tan2(45- /2) FA = KAH2 KP = tan2(45+ /2) FP = KPH2
Coefficient of Active Earth Coefficient of Passive Earth

Pressure Pressure
cos - (cos2 - cos2) cos + (cos2 - cos2)

KA = cos KP = cos
cos + (cos2 - cos2) cos - (cos2 - cos2)
Where : = Backfill slope angle Where : = Backfill slope angle

= Soil angle of internal friction = Soil angle of internal friction
Earth Pressure Coefficients Level Submerged Level Backfill

Backfill
If the backfill surface is level, angle is 0 and KA and

KP revert to:
KA = (1 sin ) / (1 + sin ) = tan2(45- /2) H
KP = (1 + sin ) / (1 - sin ) = tan2(45+ /2)
6
Submerged Backfill Active Forces Submerged Backfill Passive Forces
KAH2 WH2 FA KPH2 WH2 FP
+ = + =
KA H WH KA H + WH KP H WH KP H + WH
Active Earth + Hydrostatic = Total Active Force Passive Earth + Hydrostatic = Total Passive Force
Where = Submerged soil unit weight = - W Where = Submerged soil unit weight = - W
Question Example - Solution
Active forces without water:

= 120 pcf FA =
= 120 - 62.4 = 57.6 pcf
H = 20 ft = 30 Active forces with water:
KA= 0.33
FA =
KP = 3.0
=
=
Calculate active and passive forces with and without
water in the backfill.
Example - Solution Rankine Theory vs. Coulomb

Passive forces without water:
-Developed nearly a century before Rankine
FP =
Assumes:
- Failure occurs in the form of a wedge
Passive forces with water: - Friction occurs between the wall and the soil ()
- Wall does not have to be vertical ()
FP =
In the case of a smooth ( = 0), vertical wall (
= = 90) with level backfill ( = 0), Coulomb
= reduces to Rankine
7
Cantilevered Sheeting
Surcharge Distribution
q
, , KA
KAqH
H
KA q
45
Questions
NYSDOT LRFD Wall Policy
1. A typical friction angle for a silty sand would be:
a. 15 degrees
b. 30 degrees
NYSDOT current policy for flexible walls c. 45 degrees
d. 60 degrees
is to continue to design temporary walls
using ASD methods and to design 2. The effective vertical stress at a depth of 10 ft with the water table at the
ground surface and a total unit weight of 120 pcf is about:
permanent walls using LRFD methods. a. 100 psf
b. 200 psf
c. 600 psf
d. 1200 psf
Steel is the most common sheeting

Cantilevered Sheeting material.
Sheets are driven to a depth sufficient for

the passive pressure exerted on the
embedded portion to resist the lateral active
earth pressures acting on the cantilevered
section.
8
Cantilevered Sheeting - Continued Cantilevered Sheeting - Advantages
In order to achieve the required resistance Quick, 1 Step installation process

from the passive earth pressure, embedment Readily available installation equipment
depths can be quite high (rule of thumb is 2 typically a vibratory hammer
to 1 embedment vs. exposed height ratio). Minimal footprint - width of sheeting
Fairly impervious to water
Usually restricted to a maximum height of Sheeting can be pulled and re-used when
15 ft. excavation is backfilled
Cantilevered Sheeting - Disadvantages Disadvantages - continued

Since sheeting is installed in full length Medium compact (SPT blows between 30
pieces, a high overhead clearance is and 50) soil layers can impede or halt
necessary installation depending on soil type
Will not penetrate compact soil layers Deflection at the top of cantilevered
(over 50 SPT blows) sheeting can be substantial (inches), which
can be a concern when supporting sensitive
Sheeting will hang up or be crushed by structures
boulders
56 57
9
58 59
60 61
62 63
10
10
64 65
66 67
68 69
11
11
70 71
72 73
The Simplified Method
The simplified method assumes that a

concentrated load is applied at the bottom of the
sheeting replacing the passive resistance
developed on the back of the sheeting.
Not as accurate as the Conventional Method,

but saves greatly in computations.
74
12
12
The Simplified Method The Simplified Method

The design of sheet pile retaining walls requires
the determination of:
a) the lateral pressures that act on the wall
b) the depth of pile embedment
c) the maximum bending moment
d) the section modulus required of the
sheeting
See GDP-11 for a Simplified Analysis example.
Step 3
Steps 1 and 2
Step 3 - Develop Lateral Earth Pressure Diagram (see Fig. 1)
A. Lateral pressure due to uniform surcharge:

Step 1- Determine the Soil Profile and Soil Parameters. The lateral pressure (ps) due to the uniform surcharge (q) is given by
the uniform surcharge (q) times the coefficient of lateral earth
pressure (K)
Step 2- Calculate the lateral earth pressure coefficients ps = Kq
using either the Rankine or Coulomb Theory. In most
cases, the wall friction () is assumed to be zero. For B. Lateral earth pressures due to overburden:
Lateral earth pressure due to the soil at any depth is obtained by
the conditions of this example (vertical wall, level multiplying the vertical soil pressure (pv or po) at that depth by
backfill, no wall friction), the Rankine and Coulomb the coefficient of lateral earth pressure (K)
pH = KpV
active and passive pressure coefficients will be equal.
C. Lateral pressure due to water (Hydrostatic Pressure):
The hydrostatic pressure is given by multiplying the unit weight of
the water (w) times the water head (hw).
pW = whw
Figure 1 Steps 4 and 5
Step 4 Calculate the resultant forces, acting on one

lineal foot of the wall, are shown in Figure 2.
Step 5 -Calculate the depth of embedment (d) by

summing moments about the point of rotation (0)
(assumed bottom of sheeting). (See Figure 2).
Solve for d.
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13
Figure 2 Step 6
Step 6 - Determine the final depth of embedment (D) as
follows:
D = 1.2d
20% of the calculated embedment (d) is added onto

account for differences between the simplified and the
conventional methods of analysis. This is not a factor
of safety.
Steps 7 and 8 Figure 3

Step 7 - Determine the point of zero shear (s) by summing all the
horizontal forces to the depth which satisfies FH = 0. (See
Figure 3).
Solve for s.
Step 8 - Calculate the maximum moment by summing the

moments at the point of zero shear. Since the sheeting is
assumed to be pinned at the base, only the moments due to the
forces above the point of zero shear should be used in
determining the maximum moments.
Figure 4 Step 9
Step 9 -The minimum section modulus of the sheeting can then
be determined using:
SMIN = MMax / All
Where: Mmax = maximum moment (from Step 9)
all = allowable bending stress of the sheeting

material, is typically taken as 25 ksi for carbon
steel type ASTM - Designation A328
14
14
Step 10 Item Numbers

Step 10 - Select a piling with a section modulus (per lin.
ft. of wall) equal to or greater than the section modulus Item 552.13 - Temporary Sheeting
calculated in Step 9. Sheeting is removed when the excavation is
backfilled.
NOTE: The above analysis has no factor of safety. To
provide for a factor of safety the passive pressure may Item 552.15 - Interim Sheeting
be reduced by an appropriate factor, i.e.
Sheeting is cut off and left in place when the
KP/1.25 for temporary walls excavation is backfilled.
KP/1.50 for permanent walls
Temporary vs. Interim Sheeting Detailing

Reasons to leave sheeting in place include: As per the NYSDOT Bridge Manual, the following
information should be shown on the contract plans:
Pulling the sheeting may leave voids (usually in a
clayey soil, where the soil will adhere to the sheeting). Plan location of the sheeting placement
Typical section(s) showing:
Sheeting is adjacent to a structure and pulling may Top and toe sheeting elevations
cause structural damage. Typically this occurs when the Bottom of excavation elevation
adjacent structure is founded on spread footings and Minimum sheeting embedment below bottom of
pulling sheeting with a vibratory hammer could densify excavation
the soil causing settlement. Payment lines
Minimum sheeting section modulus
Table showing the soil parameters used in the design
BD-EE15E BD-EE16E
15
15
Anchored Sheeting
Example Example
Questions Questions
1. Sheeting cannot be driven when the following are present:
a. Shallow rock
b. Boulders 3. To determine the required length of sheeting in a cantilevered sheet pile
c. Buried substructures wall, sum moments about:
d. All of the above a. The pile top
b. The anchor
2. When designing flexible cantilevered retaining walls, using the simplified c. The pile tip
method, a factor of 1.2 is generally applied to the pile embedment length to: d. The dredge line
a. Equate the results with the conventional design method
b. Provide a safety factor
c. Support the steel industry
d. Equate ASD and LRFD design methods
Anchored Sheeting
The anchored sheet pile walls derive their

Anchored Sheeting support by two means:
1. Passive pressure on the front of the
embedded portion of the wall and;
2. Anchor tie rod near the top of the piling.
These walls are suitable for heights up to about

30 ft.
16
16
Anchored Sheeting
Anchored Sheeting - Advantages Advantages - Continued

Can support much higher excavations than
cantilevered sheeting with much less Sheeting can be pulled and re-used when
embedment excavation is backfilled
Readily available installation equipment Deflections at the top of anchored sheeting

typically a vibratory hammer and trenching are generally small
equipment (unless anchors are used)
Fairly impervious to water
Anchored Sheeting - Disadvantages Disadvantages - continued

Will not penetrate compact soil layers Tiebacks/wale assembly will need to be
(over 50 SPT blows) flipped for stage 2 excavation
Sheeting will often hang up or be More ROW required for placement of

crushed by boulders anchors or deadman
Wider footprint than cantilevered sheeting

because of wale/tieback assembly
106 107
17
17
108 109
110 111
112 113
18
18
Anchored Sheeting
Anchorage Types
Continuous Sheeting Deadman

Concrete Block
Steel Plate Deadman
Earth/Rock Anchors
114
Free Earth Support Method Free Earth Support Method
The Free Earth method assumes that the

wall is rigid and rotates about the anchor
level.
Free Earth Support Method Steps 1 through 4

The design of an anchored sheet pile retaining
wall includes calculation of the following: Steps 1 - 4 - Are the same as for cantilevered
a) the required depth of embedment walls in the previous section and as shown in
Figures 5 and 6.
b) the anchor load
c) the section modulus of the sheet piles
d) the deadman or earth or rock anchor
See GDP-11 for a Free Earth Support Method

example.
19
19
Figure 5 Figure 6
Step 5 Step 6
Step 6 - Determine the depth of embedment (d), and the final
Step 5 - Calculate the resultant of the active forces (RA) total embedment (D) by summing the moments about the anchor
and the point of application (z) from the top of the wall and solving for d.
(See Figure 6).
There is no correction for using a simplified form of the analysis
Determine the moment arm length 'z by summing (unlike in the cantilever design), so d equals the final embedment,
d = D.
moments about the pile top.
A safety factor is provided by reducing the passive pressure by an
appropriate factor, i.e.
KP/1.25 for temporary wall

KP/1.5 for permanent wall
Step 7 Step 8
Step 8 - Calculate the depth of zero shear (s) and the maximum
Step 7 - Calculate the anchor load by setting all the horizontal
moment on the sheeting (see Fig. 7).
forces equal to zero.
Solve for s. In Figure 7, s is assumed above the bottom of
Solve for AL.
excavation.
The final design anchor load (ADL) is obtained by:
If s occurs beneath the bottom of excavation, the above equation
for FH = 0 must be expanded accordingly to include lower
ADL = 1.5AL
shear forces.
Remember, ADL is per lineal foot of wall. To finalize the type and
The maximum moment is then obtained by summing moments
the size of the anchor, this load has to be multiplied by the anchor
about the point of zero shear from the top of the pile to depth (s).
spacing.
20
20
Anchored Sheeting
Figure 7 Step 9
Step 9 - The minimum required section modulus (SMIN) of the sheeting can
then be determined by the following:
SMIN = MMax / All
Where: MMAX = maximum moment (from Step 9)

ALL = allowable bending stress of the sheeting
material, typically taken as 25 ksi for carbon
steel type ASTM - Designation A328
Select a piling with a section modulus (per lineal foot of wall) equal to or
greater than the section modulus calculated.
Note: The above analysis has no factor of safety. To provide for a factor of
safety the passive pressure may be reduced by an appropriate factor, i.e.
KP/1.25 for temorary walls

KP/1.50 for permanent walls.
Step 10 Figure 8
Step 10 - Deadman Design
A deadman may consist of driven H-piles, large masses

of concrete or a continuous sheet pile wall. The
following procedure is for the design of a continuous
sheet pile wall as deadman. No surcharge loads are
assumed to act on the deadman.
Determine the active and passive pressures and forces

per lineal foot of wall. (See Figure 8).
Step 11 Step 11 - Continued

Step 11 - Determine the required depth of embedment If AL is used instead of ADL, to provide a safety factor, the passive
(y) by summing moments about the bottom of the pressure should be reduced by an appropriate factor, i.e.
deadman. For the moment due to the anchor load, use
the final design anchor load. KP/1.25 for temporary wall
KP/1.5 for permanent wall
Solve for y.
A comparison between the two methods described above and the
confidence of the designer in his analysis may help in finalizing
If y is excessive, repeat the above procedure assuming a the required depth of embedment for the deadman. If ADL is
lower anchor point of attachment. used, no other safety factors should be applied to the deadman
embedment.
21
21
Step 12 Figure 9
Step 12 - Determine the required section modulus of the
deadman sheeting by finding the depth of zero shear (sd)
where the sum of all the horizontal forces are equal to
zero (see Figure 9).
The maximum moment is found by summing the

moments about the zero shear point considering forces
between the top of the deadman and depth sd.
Step 12 - Continued Step 13

The minimum required section modulus (S) is given by:
Step 13 - A minimum distance is required between the
SMIN = MMAX / ALL wall and the deadman to fully mobilize the available
deadman resistance outside the active zone of the wall.
MMAX = the maximum moment This distance can be found graphically and analytically
ALL = the allowable bending stress of the as shown in Figs. 10 and 10a.
sheeting material
Select a piling with a section modulus (per lineal foot of

wall) equal to or greater than the section modulus
calculated.
Figure 10 Location Requirements for a Deadman Figure 10a Location Requirements for an Earth Anchor
Single Soil Layer Single Soil Layer

A B C A B
15 ft min.
LD
5 ft
LW LW
= 45 - /2 AB = LW tan
= 45 + /2 BC = LD tan
LW = Wall Length
LD = Deadman Length
Free Length Bond Length
Minimum Distance Between = ABC = LW tan + LD tan
= tan (45- /2) LW = Sheeting Length
Wall and Deadman = LW tan (45- /2) + LD tan (45+ /2) = Anchor Inclination (typically 15 to 30 in soil)
22
22
Anchored Sheeting
Item Numbers Detailing

As per the NYSDOT Bridge Manual, the following
Item 552.13 -Temporary Sheeting information should be shown on the contract plans:
Item 552.15 - Interim Sheeting
Plan location of the sheeting placement
Item 211.10 Grouted Tiebacks (Temporary) Typical section(s) showing:
Item 211.11 Grouted Tiebacks (Permanent) Top and toe sheeting elevations
Item 203.1756 Steel Ties (Temporary) Bottom of excavation elevation
Item 203.1757 Steel Ties (Permanent) Minimum sheeting embedment below bottom of
excavation
Wales and braces are typically paid for under the Payment lines
Location of wales or bracing
sheeting items.
Location of tiebacks or deadman
BD-EE12E
Detailing - Continued
Minimum sheeting section modulus
Minimum section modulus of wales and/or size of
bracing
Minimum section modulus of deadman, if applicable
Table showing the soil parameters used in the design
Example Example
23
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Questions
1. NYSDOTs preferred anchored wall design method is:
a. Equivalent beam method
b. Finite element analysis
c. Fixed earth support method
d. Free earth support method
2. An anchored sheeting wall derives its support:

a. From passive earth pressure only
b. From the active earth pressure
c. From hydrostatic forces
d. From passive earth pressure and the anchor
3. To determine the required length of sheeting in an anchored sheeting wall,

sum moments about:
a. The pile top
b. The anchor
c. The pile tip
d. The dredge line
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24
Soldier Pile and Lagging Walls
Soldier Pile and Lagging
This method of support involves the driving of steel H-

Soldier Pile and Lagging Walls piles or sections into the ground and placing lagging
between the pile's flanges.
Wood lagging is most common but steel or concrete

lagging may also be used.
If obstructions or rock is present, the piles are installed

in pre-augered holes and can be concreted or backfilled
with granular material to dredge line elevation.
Cantilevered Soldier Pile and Lagging Anchored Soldier Pile and Lagging
Same installation techniques as cantilevered soldier
This type of wall is designed so that the passive pile and lagging walls.
resistance on the embedded portion of the pile,
counteracts the active pressure acting on the Anchored soldier pile walls derive their support by two
means:
cantilevered section of the wall.
1. Passive resistance in front of the embedded
section of the piles.
Cantilevered soldier pile walls are usually 2. Anchor forces near the top of the wall.
practical for excavations up to 20 feet in height.
Can be used to support walls up to 40 feet.
Soldier Pile and Lagging- Advantages Soldier Pile and Lagging- Disadvantages
Can support higher excavations than Much more expensive than sheeting
driven sheeting
Installation requires multiple steps
When pre-augered holes are used, soldier (drilling, placing piles, concreting, placing
pile walls can be installed in very compact lagging)
soils, bouldery soils, and in rock
Soldier pile walls are not impervious to
water
25
1
Anchored Wall Disadvantages

Wider footprint than cantilevered walls
because of wale/tieback assemby
Tiebacks/wale assembly will need to be

flipped for stage 2 excavation
More ROW required for placement of

anchors or deadman
9 10
11 12
26
2
13 14
15 16
17 18
27
3
19 20
21 22
23 24
28
4
25 26
27 28
29 30
29
5
31 32
33 34
35 36
30
6
37 38
39 40
41 42
31
7
Typical Soldier Pile Sections

Driven vs. Preaugered Piles
Boulders/Obstructions (shallow rock)
Noise
Vibration Control
Alignment (permanent walls)
Preaugered piles will require a little less embedment
Preaugered piles are generally more expensive than
driven piles
Design Methods Broms Theory
Cantilevered Soldier Pile Walls Failure was defined in two ways: the
development of a plastic hinge in the pile; or for a
Simplified Method short pile, an unlimited deflection.
Pile head is assumed to be either fixed or free to
Anchored Soldier Pile Walls rotate.
Free Earth Support Method Broms assumed that the ultimate lateral
resistance is equal to three times the Rankine
passive pressure.
Graphical Representation of the Passive Soldier Pile Wall Design Schematic

Resistance Wedge S
W W
Forces x S
Dredge Line
Forces x 3W Forces x W
Passive Side Active Side
32
8
Warning Soldier Pile Wall Design
The pile flange width (W) or the diameter of the The design of a soldier pile and lagging wall involves
preaugered hole for the installation of the H-piles determination of:
cannot be greater than one-third of the pile 1) depth of embedment of the soldier pile
spacing (S) in the design calculations, i.e.: 2) the minimum required section modulus of
the soldier piles
W S/3 3) thickness of wooden lagging, section
modulus of steel lagging or moment
distribution for concrete lagging
Timber Lagging Design

Soldier Pile Wall Design - Continued
For anchored walls, the following additional items

need to be determined:
4) the wales
5) the deadman or earth and rock anchor
6) the location of the deadman with respect to
the wall it supports
Location Requirements for a Deadman
Deadman Design Single Soil Layer

A B C
A deadman may consist of soldier piles, large LD

masses of concrete or a continuous sheet pile
LW
wall.
= 45 - /2 AB = LW tan
= 45 + /2 BC = LD tan
LW = Wall Length (in case of soldier pile
walls, equal to exposed height H + 0.1H)
LD = Deadman Length
Minimum Distance Between = ABC = LW tan + LD tan
Wall and Deadman = LW tan (45- /2) + LD tan (45+ /2)
33
9
Location Requirements for an Earth Anchor
Single Soil Layer

Rock Socketed Soldier Pile Wall Design
A B
Pressures and forces are determined as normal for the
type of wall
15 ft min.
The design moment at the top of rock surface is

LW 5 ft determined from moment diagram, with the variability
of rock surface being taken into account

A geologist evaluates the rock cores and determines a
socket depth based on rock quality, design moment, pre-
auger hole diameter, and soldier pile spacing
Free Length Bond Length
= tan (45- /2) LW = 1.1 x H (exposed wall height)
= Anchor Inclination (typically 15 to 30 in soil)
Rock Socket Design Example Item Numbers

Item 552.20nn Holes in Earth for Soldier Pile and Lagging Wall
Item 552.21nn Rock Sockets for Soldier Pile and Lagging Wall
Item 552.22nn Soldier Piles for Soldier Pile and Lagging Wall
Item 552.2302nn Untreated Wood Lagging for Soldier Pile and
Lagging Wall
Item 211.10 Grouted Tiebacks (Temporary)

Item 211.11 Grouted Tiebacks (Permanent)
Item 203.1756 Steel Ties (Temporary)
Item 203.1757 Steel Ties (Permanent)
Wales and braces are typically paid for under the lagging item.
57
Detailing Detailing - Continued

The following information should be shown on the
contract plans: Typical section(s) showing:
Plan location of the soldier pile wall placement Payment lines
Table showing: Location of wales or bracing (if applicable)
Pile station and offset (or coordinates) Location of tiebacks or deadman (if applicable)
Top and toe soldier pile elevations Minimum section modulus of wales and/or size of
Estimated pile length bracing (if applicable)
Depth of excavation Minimum section modulus of deadman (if applicable)
Assumed rock elevation (if applicable) Table showing the soil parameters used in the design
Minimum rock socket (if applicable)
Minimum soldier pile section modulus
Recommended soldier pile shape
Minimum pre-auger hole diameter
34
10
BD-EE11E Example
Example
Questions
1. Predrilling for soldier piles may be necessary to:
a. Reduce the likely hood of disturbance to adjacent utilities
b. Remove obstructions which the pile could not be driven
through
c. Increase the passive soil resistance
d. All of the above
2. The value of Broms factor applied to the pile width is:

a. 0.333
b. 1
c. 3
d. 10
63
Questions
3. Active earth force on sheeting is calculated per foot. Active
force on a soldier pile wall above the dredge line is calculated per:
a. Foot
b. Pile width
c. Pile width times Broms factor
d. Pile spacing
4. The pile flange width or diameter of the preauger hole cannot

be greater than the following for design purposes:
a. 1/10th the pile spacing
b. 1/3rd the pile spacing
c. The pile spacing
d. Three times the pile spacing
35
11
Braced Walls (35 minutes)
Braced Walls
A braced wall is a retaining structure (usually
Braced Walls temporary in nature) which is used to support the sides
of deep excavations.
A wall with more than one anchor or strut level is

considered a braced wall.
Virtually any wall height can be supported with a

braced wall as long as you have something to brace
against.
Braced Walls Continued Braced Walls- Advantages
Can support virtually any height

excavation
Can be designed with little to no

penetration below bottom of excavation
Internal External
Both walls are considered braced walls for design purposes.
Braced Walls- Disadvantages

Usually a more expensive option than
cantilevered or anchored walls
Internal struts can get in the way of

construction equipment or the structure
being constructed
36
1
Braced Walls
7 8
9 10
11 12
37
2
13 14
15 16
17 18
38
3
Braced Walls
19 20
21 22
23 24
39
4
25 26
27 28
29 30
40
5
Braced Walls
31 32
33 34
Braced Wall Design
Trapezoidal earth pressure distribution is used.
Results in less active force than traditional

distributions (Rankine or Coulomb).
Passive pressure forces are not used to support

braced walls, braces take all loads.
35
41
6
Braced Wall Design Steps 1 and 2
The design of braced walls requires the

determination of: Step 1 - Determine the Soil Profile and Soil
a) The lateral pressures that act on the wall Parameters.
b) The maximum bending moment in the
wall
d) The section modulus required of the wall Step 2 - Plot lateral earth pressures.
e) The strut loads
f) The wale loads
Lateral Earth Pressures for Braced Walls Hydrostatic/Surcharge Pressures

a. Earth pressure distributions:
b. If groundwater is present, add its pressure to the trapezoidal soil
pressure (see (b) below):
c. If surcharge load is present, add the lateral component of the

surcharge load to the soil pressure distribution (see (c) below):
H
HW
WHW KAq
(a) (b) (c)
Structural Analysis Continued

Structural Analysis
The wall may be designed either as a continuous beam

supported at the strut levels, or by assuming that pins
exist at each strut, (except the top and bottom struts),
thereby making each span statically determinate.
Although it is slightly more conservative, in order to
simplify the analysis, the following procedure assumes
that the wall acts as a simply supported beam with pins
at each strut.
42
7
Braced Walls
Structural Analysis Continued Step 3 Wall Design

Step 3
If the sheeting/piles are embedded at least 4 feet below the a. Determine the maximum bending moment and required embedment depth of the
bottom of excavation, it is customary to assume a support at the sheeting/piles for each stage of excavation using cantilevered and anchored
analyses methods for Stage I and II and by braced wall design methods for Stage
bottom of the excavation.
III to the final stage.
Strut 1
Strut 2
Strut 3
4 ft min.
Step 3 Continued Step 3 Continued

b. Determine the maximum bending moment in sheeting/piles
between wales for the final stage. The maximum bending c. The minimum required section modulus of the sheeting/piles can then be
determined using:
moment per foot of width along the sheeting may be computed
using: SMIN = MMAX/ALL
MMAX = 1/8 wL2 (between struts)
MMAX = maximum moment calculated from either step
= wL1(2)2 (about top and bottom strut) 3(a) or 3(b)
w = average lateral pressure on the wall over the longest ALL = allowable bending stress of sheeting material
span = 25 KSI for A328 Steel Sheet Piling
= 30 KSI for Steel H-Pile (A50)
L = distance between wales = 1.2 KSI for Wood
L1 = distance between top of excavation and first strut
L2 = distance between bottom strut and excavation line d. Select a sheeting/pile section with a section modulus equal to or greater than
the section modulus calculated in Step 3(c).
The vertical spacing between the struts may be reduced if the
moments in the wall are too large.
Figure 1
Step 3 Continued
e. Check for bottom heave or piping conditions

using Figures 1 and 2. If bottom heave or piping
conditions exist, consideration should be given
for alternative methods of excavations.
Note that soldier piles will not affect piping

conditions and should not be used if there is
potential for piping.
Stability Against Heave in Cohesive Soils
(After NAVFAC DM-7, 1971)
43
8
Figure 2 Step 4
Step 4 Calculate Strut Loads
a. Develop freebody diagrams from the soil pressure diagram and axial strut
loads as shown below:
Stability Against Piing in Non-cohesive Soils b. Solve freebody diagrams for the axial strut load per lineal foot of wall (FA,
(After NAVFAC DM-7, 1971) FB, FC, FD).
Step 4 Continued Step 5

Step 5 - Determine the maximum bending moment
c. Multiply the axial strut load per linear foot of wall by generated within the wale as follows:
the horizontal strut spacing and a factor of safety of 1.5
to get the design strut loads. MMAX = 1/8 wL2
d. If the axial loads per strut are not within acceptable w = axial strut load per lin. ft. (from Step 4b)
limits, adjust the strut spacing and re-analyze the
system. L = horizontal distance between struts
Step 6 Item Numbers

Item 552.13 -Temporary Sheeting
Step 6 Design the struts/anchors with Item 552.15 - Interim Sheeting
conventional structural analyses methods. Item 552.20nn Holes in Earth for Soldier Pile and Lagging Wall
Item 552.21nn Rock Sockets for Soldier Pile and Lagging Wall
Item 552.22nn Soldier Piles for Soldier Pile and Lagging Wall
Since the strut loads were increased by a factor Item 552.2302nn Untreated Wood Lagging for Soldier Pile and
of 1.5 in Step 4, no further safety factors are Lagging Wall
required in the strut/anchor design. Item 211.10 Grouted Tiebacks (Temporary)

Item 211.11 Grouted Tiebacks (Permanent)
Item 203.1756 Steel Ties (Temporary)
Item 203.1757 Steel Ties (Permanent)
Wales and braces are typically paid for under the lagging item.
44
9
Braced Walls
BD-EE10E
Detailing
Show the appropriate information on the contract plans as
described in the anchored sheeting/anchored soldier pile sections.
Refer to the following BD sheets:
BD-EE10E Excavation and Embankment Braced Excavation

Details
BD-EE11E Excavation and Embankment Soldier Pile and
Lagging Wall Sample Details
BD-EE12E Excavation and Embankment Tieback Wall Details
BD-EE15E Excavation and Embankment Sample Drawing of
Stage Construction (1 of 2)
BD-EE16E Excavation and Embankment Sample Drawing of
Stage Construction (2 of 2)
Example Example
58
Questions Questions
1. A braced wall must always: 3. Since braced sheeting walls have generally small embedments,
a. Have one level of bracing/anchors additional design concerns are:
b. Have 2 or more levels of bracing/anchors a. Piping and heaving
c. Have a minimum of 3 levels of bracing/anchors b. Bearing and rotating
d. Be braced against a wall on the opposite side of the c. Sliding and eccentricity
excavation d. All of the above
2. Braced walls may utilize: 4. In design of a braced wall, lateral active earth forces are
a. Steel struts calculated with:
b. Timber struts a. Triangular pressure distributions
c. Grouted soil anchors b. Circular pressure distributions
d. All of the above c. Trapezoidal or rectangular pressure distributions
d. None of the above
45
10
Geotechnical Design Proceedure for Flexible Wall Systems
GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN PROCEDURE

FOR FLEXIBLE WALL SYSTEMS
GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN PROCEDURE

GDP-11
Revision #3
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING BUREAU

APRIL 2007
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
47
GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN PROCEDURE:

GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN PROCEDURE FOR FLEXIBLE WALL SYSTEMS
GDP-11
Revision #3
STATE OF NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING BUREAU
APRIL 2007
EB 07-039 Page 1 of 19
48
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................4
A. Purpose...........................................................................................................................4
B. General Discussion ........................................................................................................4
C. Soil Parameters ..............................................................................................................4
II. DESIGN PREMISE ...................................................................................................................5

A. Lateral Earth Pressures...................................................................................................5
B. Factor of Safety ..............................................................................................................8
III. FLEXIBLE CANTILEVERED WALLS ...................................................................................9

A. General ...........................................................................................................................9
B. Analysis ..........................................................................................................................9
C. Constructionability.......................................................................................................10
IV. FLEXIBLE ANCHORED WALLS .........................................................................................11

A. General .........................................................................................................................11
B. Analysis ........................................................................................................................11
1. Single Row of Anchors ....................................................................................11
2. Multiple Rows of Anchors ...............................................................................12
C. Anchor Types ...............................................................................................................12
D. Constructability ............................................................................................................13
V. REVIEW REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................16

A. General .........................................................................................................................16
B. Flexible Cantilevered Walls .........................................................................................16
C. Flexible Anchored Walls .............................................................................................16
REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................................18
APPENDICIES ..............................................................................................................................19
A. Earth Pressures .......................................................................................................... A-1
Surcharge Loads ........................................................................................................ A-1
Hydrostatic Loads ..................................................................................................... A-1
Inclined Backfill ........................................................................................................ A-2
Inclined Foreslope ..................................................................................................... A-3
Railroad Embankment Zones and Excavation Limits............................................... A-4
B. Recommended Thickness of Wood Lagging .............................................................B-1
C. Earth Pressures for Braced Excavation ......................................................................C-1
Deadman Pressure Distribution & Location Requirements .......................................C-2
EB 07-039 Page 2 of 19
49
D. Design Guidelines ..................................................................................................... D-1

For Use of the Soldier Pile and Lagging Wall Specifications .................................. D-1
For Selecting a Soldier Pile Section for a Soldier Pile and Lagging Wall
with Rock Sockets..................................................................................................... D-5
For Use of the Sheeting and Excavation Protection System Specifications ........... D-11
For Use of the Grouted Tieback Specifications ...................................................... D-11
For Use of the Steel Ties Specifications ................................................................. D-12
E. Example Problems ..................................................................................................... E-1
Cantilevered Sheeting Wall (US Customary Units) .................................................. E-1
Anchored Sheeting Wall (US Customary Units) ....................................................... E-3
F. Example Problems ..................................................................................................... F-1
Cantilevered Sheeting Wall (International System of Units) ..................................... F-1
Anchored Sheeting Wall (International System of Units) ......................................... F-3
EB 07-039 Page 3 of 19
50
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide an acceptable design method and theory for the
geotechnical design of flexible cantilevered or anchored retaining walls to be constructed on New
York State Department of Transportation projects.
The following text provides a general discussion and design guidelines for these flexible wall
systems. This document provides any designer with a framework for progressing a design and an
understanding of the criteria which can be used during a geotechnical review. All structural
aspects of these wall systems shall be performed in accordance with the Departments accepted
procedures.
B. General Discussion
Flexible cantilevered or anchored retaining walls are defined in this document to include
temporary or permanent flexible wall systems, or shoring systems, comprised of sheeting or
soldier piles and lagging. An anchored system may include the aforementioned shoring systems
supported by grouted tieback anchors, anchors to a deadman, rakers to a foundation block or
braces or struts to an equivalent or existing wall system or structural element.
Sheeting members of a shoring system are structural units which, when connected one to another,
will form a continuous wall. The wall continuity is usually obtained by interlocking devices
formed as part of the manufactured product. In New York State, the majority of the sheeting used
is made of steel, with timber, vinyl, and concrete used less often.
Soldier piles used as part of a shoring system are structural units, or members, which are spaced
at set intervals. A lagging material is placed between the soldier piles to complete the shoring
system. In New York State, the majority of the soldier piles used are made of steel, with concrete
and timber used less often. The lagging material is usually dependent upon the design life of the
wall. A temporary wall will usually incorporate timber lagging, with steel sheeting as lagging
used less often. A permanent wall will usually incorporate concrete lagging with an architectural
finish.
C. Soil Parameters
Soil parameters are the design assumptions which characterize the soil type. Typically, designs
are progressed using effective stress parameters to account for long-term stability of the flexible
wall system. For projects in design, the wall designer will be provided the soil parameters to use
in the design of the flexible wall system. For projects in construction, the soil and loading
parameters for the design of the detailed wall are as indicated in the contract plans. If a flexible
wall system is proposed in an area which soil parameters are not listed, the Contractor shall
contact the Engineer, who shall relay the request to the D.C.E.S.
EB 07-039 Page 4 of 19
51
II. DESIGN PREMISE
A. Lateral Earth Pressures
A flexible wall system design is required to resist the anticipated lateral pressures without
undergoing significant or excessive lateral deflections. The following list provides an acceptable
geotechnical theory for the development of the lateral earth pressures and potential external loads
and soil backfill configurations which must be accounted for in design:
1. Earth Pressure Theory:
Use the Rankine Theory for the development of earth pressures on a flexible wall system.
This theory assumes that wall friction () equals zero.
2. Surcharge Loads:
The term surcharge refers to an additional loading on the proposed wall system. This
term usually refers to traffic loading that is in proximity to the wall system. Use the
Spangler Method of analysis (area load of finite length) or Boussinesq Method of analysis
to determine the lateral pressure caused by the surcharge loading. The uniform surcharge
is usually given a value of 250 psf (12 kPa) or an equivalent height of fill. If the designer
knows that heavier construction equipment will be in the vicinity of the wall, the
surcharge loading shall be increased accordingly. A uniform surcharge of at least 250 psf
(12 kPa) is always assumed at the top of a wall that has a level backfill. See Appendix
Page A-1.
For analysis of railroad loadings, refer to 6. Railroad Loading of this Section.
3. Hydrostatic Pressure:
The identification of the existing groundwater table is necessary to design for sufficient
support against all possible loadings. Since the locks of sheeting are more or less water
tight when installed and become more watertight as soil is drawn in, water can be trapped
behind the wall causing a head imbalance and greatly increasing the total load. Therefore,
the elevation, or head difference, shall be accounted for in design of the wall system. The
hydrostatic head is the difference between the groundwater elevation and the bottom of
dewatered excavation. See Appendix Page A-1.
4. Inclined Backfill:
An inclined backfill will induce an additional load on the wall. See Appendix Page A-2.
This situation shall be analyzed by the following:
EB 07-039 Page 5 of 19
52
Infinite Slope
If the backfill slope remains inclined beyond the limits of the active wedge, the backfill
slope shall be assumed to extend infinitely away from the wall at an angle . Using this
condition, the Rankine earth pressure is a function of the angle . To compute horizontal
earth pressures, the resulting earth pressure must be adjusted by the backslope angle.
Subsequent active earth forces are found using these adjusted earth pressures.
Finite Slope
If the backfill slope changes to horizontal within the limits of the active wedge of failure,
the slope may be analyzed in two ways:
A The broken back slope design (A.R.E.A.) method may be used. This
method is described in Section 5: Retaining Walls in the Standard
Specifications for Highway Bridges, Adopted by the American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(A.A.S.H.T.O.), Seventeenth Edition.
B The sloping backfill may be assumed to be equivalent to a horizontal

surcharge loading, located an offset of one-half the distance from the wall
to the slope break. The surcharge loading shall be equivalent to the full
height of the slope.
5. Inclined Foreslope:
An inclined foreslope, or slope in front of the wall system, will reduce the amount of
passive resistance available to resist loadings. See Appendix Page A-3. This situation
shall be analyzed by the following:
Infinite Slope
If the foreslope extends beyond the passive wedge, the foreslope shall be assumed to
extend infinitely away from the wall at an angle . Using this condition, the Rankine earth
pressure is a function of the angle . To compute horizontal earth pressures, the resulting
earth pressure must be adjusted by the foreslope angle. Subsequent passive earth forces
are found using these adjusted earth pressures.
Finite Slope
If the foreslope changes to horizontal within the limits of the passive wedge of failure, the
slope shall be assumed to be finite. In this case, the slope may be analyzed in two ways:
EB 07-039 Page 6 of 19
53
A. Infinite slope as noted above.
B. An excavation to the bottom of the slope.
Engineering judgment shall then be applied when determining which solution to use.
Note in both the infinite and finite slope cases, if the angle is equal to or greater than the
internal angle of friction of the soil, the excavation shall be assumed to extend down to
the bottom of the slope.
6. Railroad Loading:
When the proposed excavation requires the support of railroad loads, the designer shall
follow all current applicable railroad requirements. Embankment Zones and Excavation
Restrictions are described in Chapter 23 of the Highway Design Manual. See Appendix
Page A-4.
The system shall be designed to carry E-80 live load consisting of 80 kips axles spaced 5
ft. on centers (356 kN axles spaced 1.5 m on centers). A lower value load can be used if
the railroad indicates, in writing, that the lower value is acceptable for the specific site.
Use the Spangler Method of analysis (area load of infinite length) or the Boussinesq
Method of analysis to determine the lateral pressure caused by the railroad loading. The
load on the track shall be taken as a strip load with a width equal to the length of the ties
(8 ft. 6 in.) (2.6 m). The vertical surcharge caused by each axle shall be equal to the axle
weight divided by the tie length and the axle spacing.
7. Cohesive Soil:
Due to the variability of the length of time a shoring system is in place, cohesive soils
shall be modeled in the drained condition. These soils shall be modeled as cohesiveless
soils using the drained internal angle of friction. Typically, drained internal angles of
friction for New York State clays range from 22 to 26 (undrained shear strength=0).
EB 07-039 Page 7 of 19
54
B. Factor of Safety
A factor of safety (F.S.) shall be applied to the coefficient of passive earth pressure (Kp). The
value for the factor of safety is dependent on the design life of the wall (temporary or permanent).
The passive pressure coefficients (Kp) used in the design calculations shall be reduced as
follows:
1. Temporary Retaining Wall:
The factor of safety (F.S.) for a temporary wall is 1.25.

Kp = Kp / 1.25.
2. Permanent Retaining Wall:
The factor of safety (F.S.) for a permanent wall is 1.50.

Kp = Kp / 1.50.
EB 07-039 Page 8 of 19
55
III. FLEXIBLE CANTILEVERED WALLS
A. General
Sheeting is driven to a depth sufficient for the passive pressure exerted on the embedded portion
to resist the lateral active earth pressures acting on the cantilevered section. To achieve the
required passive earth pressure resistance, embedment depths can often be quite high. Therefore,
due to limitations on the availability of certain section modulus and its associated costs,
cantilevered sheeting walls are usually practical to a maximum height of approximately 15 ft.
(4.6 m).
Soldier piles of a soldier pile and lagging wall system are vertical structural elements spaced at
set intervals, typically 6 ft. to 10 ft. (1.8 m to 3.0 m). A soldier pile and lagging wall also derives
its resistance from the embedded portion of the wall but, because of the higher available section
modulus, greater excavation depths can be supported as compared to those supported by
sheeting. Cantilevered soldier piles are usually practical for excavations up to approximately 20
ft. (6 m) in height.
The minimum timber lagging thickness for a soldier pile and lagging wall should be determined
from the table in Appendix B, taken from Lateral Support Systems and Underpinning, Vol. 1.
Design and Construction, FHWA-RD-75128, April 1976.
Additional design guidance for sheeting and soldier pile and lagging walls is provided and/or
referenced in Appendix D.
B. Analysis
Use either the Simplified Method or the Conventional Method for the design of a cantilevered
sheeting wall. To account for the differences between the two methods, the calculated depth of
embedment, obtained using the Simplified Method, shall be increased by 20%. This increase is
not a factor of safety. The factor of safety shall be applied to the passive pressure coefficient as
stated in II. Design Premise: B. Factor of Safety.
Use either the Simplified Method or the Conventional Method of analysis for the development of
the lateral pressures on a soldier pile and lagging wall. However, as opposed to a sheeting wall
which is analyzed per foot (meter) of wall, the calculations for the design of a soldier pile and
lagging wall must account for the spacing of the individual soldier piles. To determine the active
pressures above the dredgeline, include a factor equivalent to the spacing in the calculations. To
determine the active pressures below the dredgeline, include a factor equivalent to the width of
the soldier pile (for driven piles), or diameter of the hole (for piles installed in excavated holes)
in the calculations. To determine the passive resistance of a soldier pile embedded in soil, assume
that the net passive resistance is mobilized across a maximum of three times the soldier pile
width (for driven piles), or three times the diameter of the hole (for piles installed in excavated
holes).
EB 07-039 Page 9 of 19
56
Both the Simplified and Conventional Method of analyses are outlined in USS Steel Sheet Piling
Manual. The Simplified Method is also described in Section 5: Retaining Walls in the Standard
Specifications for Highway Bridges, Adopted by the American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (A.A.S.H.T.O.), Seventeenth Edition. The Conventional Method can
also be found in such references as: Foundation Analysis and Design, Fourth Edition by Joseph
E. Bowles and Foundations and Earth Structures by the Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities
Engineering Command, Design Manual 7.2.
C. Constructability
Prior to the analysis, the designer shall evaluate the site conditions and subsurface profile to
determine which type of flexible wall system is appropriate. Subsurface profiles which include
cobbles, boulders and/or very compact material are sites where sheeting is not recommended and
the designer should investigate alternate wall systems such as soldier piles and lagging. The
designer should also focus on the type and size of equipment that will be needed to install the
wall members. The designer should contemplate the limits of the wall with respect to the existing
site conditions and include the design of any necessary connections. These considerations are
valid for both cantilevered and anchored wall systems.
EB 07-039 Page 10 of 19
57
IV. FLEXIBLE ANCHORED WALLS
A. General
When the height of excavation increases over 15 ft. (4.6 m), or if the embedment depth is limited
(for example, the presence of boulders or bedrock), it becomes necessary to investigate the use of
additional support for the wall system. An anchored wall derives its support by the passive
pressure on the front of the embedded portion of the wall and the anchor tie rod near the top of
the wall. Anchored walls are suitable for heights up to approximately 35 ft. (10.5 m).
An additional factor of safety of 1.5 shall be applied to all anchor and brace loads.
Each phase of construction of an anchored wall shall be analyzed. Each phase of construction
affects the lateral earth pressures on the sheeting or soldier piles and therefore, the embedment
and section modulus requirements. Ex.: Phase I: cantilever analysis (excavation to install first
anchor), Phase II: anchored analysis (excavation below first anchor to install second anchor),
Phase III: multiple anchor analysis (excavation below second anchor to install third anchor),
etc...Final Phase: multiple anchor analysis.
Additional design guidance for grouted tiebacks and steel ties is provided and/or referenced in
Appendix D.
B. Analysis
1. Single Row of Anchors:
Use the Free Earth Support Method for the design of an anchored sheeting or soldier pile
and lagging wall. The Free Earth Support Method assumes the wall is rigid and may
rotate at the anchor level.
For the design of an anchored soldier pile and lagging wall system, the design must
account for the spacing of the individual soldier piles as stated in III. Flexible
Cantilevered Walls: B. Analysis.
The designer shall analyze the effect of any additional vertical or horizontal loads
imposed on the soldier piles or sheeting by the angle (orientation with respect to the wall)
of the anchor. The embedment of sheeting or H-piles (or other sections used as soldier
piles) below the bottom of the excavation should be checked to ensure that it is sufficient
to support the weight of the wall and the vertical component of the tieback force. The
factor of safety should be at least 1.5 based on the design load, assuming resistance to the
vertical load below the bottom of excavation only. Pile and sheeting bearing capacity
should be calculated as shown in the manual on Design and Construction of Driven Pile
Foundations, FHWA-HI-97-013, Rev. November 1998 with Pd and PD equal to the values
on the excavation side of the wall.
EB 07-039 Page 11 of 19
58
2. Multiple Row of Anchors:
Use the method of analysis for a braced excavation, based on a rectangular (Terzaghi &
Peck, 1967) or trapezoidal (Terzaghi & Peck, 1948) pressure distribution. The rectangular
pressure distribution is outlined in such references as: Foundation Analysis and Design,
Fourth Edition by Joseph E. Bowles, Principles of Foundation Engineering, Second
Edition by Braja M. Das and in Section 5: Retaining Walls in the Standard Specifications
for Highway Bridges, Adopted by the American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (A.A.S.H.T.O.), Seventeenth Edition. See Appendix Page C-1.
When a rectangular or trapezoidal pressure distribution is used, all of this pressure has to
be resisted by the anchors and by the bending resistance of the sheeting or H-piles. Do
not consider active or passive earth pressure below the bottom of the excavation when
calculating the required anchor loads, unless groundwater level is above the bottom of
excavation. In that case, passive pressure may be used to help resist active earth pressure
and excess hydrostatic pressure. Due consideration should be given to the effect of uplift
on the passive pressure and to the amount of movement required to mobilize full passive
pressure.
For the design of an anchored soldier pile and lagging wall system, the calculations shall
account for the spacing of the individual soldier piles as stated in III. Flexible
Cantilevered Walls: B. Analysis.
The designer shall analyze the effect of any additional vertical or horizontal loads
imposed on the soldier piles or sheeting by the angle (orientation with respect to the wall)
of the anchor. The embedment of sheeting or H-piles (or other sections used as soldier
piles) below the bottom of the excavation should be checked to ensure that it is sufficient
to support the weight of the wall and the vertical component of the tieback force. The
factor of safety should be at least 1.5 based on the design load, assuming resistance to the
vertical load below the bottom of excavation only. Pile and sheeting bearing capacity
should be calculated as shown in the manual on Design and Construction of Driven Pile
Foundations, FHWA-HI-97-013, Rev. November 1998 with Pd and PD equal to the values
on the excavation side of the wall.
C. Anchor Types
The following are possible types of anchor support systems:
1. Grouted Tiebacks:
A grouted tieback is a system used to transfer tensile loads from the flexible wall to soil
or rock. It consists of all prestressing steel, or tendons, the anchorage, grout, coatings,
sheathings, couplers and encapsulation (if applicable).
EB 07-039 Page 12 of 19
59
2. Deadman:
A deadman may consist of large masses of precast or cast-in-place concrete, driven

soldier piles or a continuous sheeting wall. The required depth of the deadman shall be
analyzed based on the active and passive earth pressures exerted on the deadman. See
Appendix Page C-2.
Deadman anchors must be located a distance from the anchored wall such that they can
fully mobilize their passive pressure resistance outside of the anchored walls active zone.
This is described in such references as: USS Steel Sheet Piling Manual and Foundation
Analysis and Design, Fourth Edition by Joseph E. Bowles. See Appendix Page C-2.
3. Struts or Braces / Rakers:
Struts or braces are structural members designed to resist pressure in the direction of their
length. Struts are usually installed to extend from the flexible wall to an adjacent parallel
structure. Rakers are struts that are positioned at an angle extending from the flexible wall
to a foundation block or supporting substructure.
D. Constructability
Constructability concerns are outlined in III. Flexible Cantilevered Walls: C. Constructability.

The following are additional considerations which must be addressed:
1. General:
The mass stability of the earth-tieback-wall system will be checked by the
Geotechnical Engineering Bureau unless the consultant agreement states that the
consultant will do all the geotechnical design work for the project. The designer
will be notified of any special requirements that have to be included in the
contract to ensure mass stability.
Sheeting Walls:
In the case of permanent anchored sheeting walls (not H-pile and lagging walls
with drainage zones) without special features that would permit water to drain
from behind the wall (weep holes alone are ineffective), the effects of an
unanticipated rise in groundwater level during periods of heavy precipitation
should be considered. Unless detailed groundwater level analyses indicate
otherwise, the final anchor design should be based on a 10 ft. (3 m) rise in the
groundwater level compared to the highest groundwater level determined from
subsurface explorations. To account for possible perched water conditions,
multiply by 1.25 the calculated anchor loads above the groundwater level (after
adding the 10 ft. (3 m) rise).
EB 07-039 Page 13 of 19
60
Soldier Pile and Lagging Walls:

H-pile (or other type of solider pile) and lagging walls should not be used in
excavations below groundwater level unless the design includes appropriate
positive methods to control seepage.
2. Grouted Tiebacks:
The presence of existing structures and utilities should be taken into account when
deciding upon the location and inclination of anchors. The installation of the grouted
tieback, location and inclination, should be surveyed against these existing site
constraints. The design shall meet the requirements for minimum ground cover for the
grouted tieback (Recommendations for Prestressed Rock and Soil Anchors, Post-
Tensioning Institute, Fourth Edition: 2004).
The minimum anchor free length is:

a. 15 ft. (4.6 m) or
b. the length of the tieback from the face of the wall to the theoretical failure plane
plus H/5, whichever is greater.
The theoretical failure plane is inclined at an angle of 45- /2 with the vertical, where
is the friction angle of the soil, if the backslope is horizontal. For cases where the
backslope is not horizontal, the inclination of the failure plane should be determined from
Foundations and Earth Structures, Design Manual 7-2, NAVFAC DM-7.2, May 1982,
p.7.2-65, or by means of a trial wedge analysis. The point of intersection of the
theoretical failure plane with the face of the wall for walls in non-plastic soils can be
determined as follows:
a. H-pile and lagging wall with single level of anchors: H/10 below the bottom of
the excavation, Fig. 1(a).
b. Sheeting wall with single level of anchors: Level below bottom of excavation
where moment in sheet pile is zero. Fig. 1(a).
c. H-pile and lagging wall with more than one level of anchors: Bottom of
excavation, Fig. 1(b).
d. Sheeting wall with more than one level of anchors and groundwater level below
bottom of excavation: Bottom of excavation, Fig. 1(b).
e. Sheeting wall with more than one level of anchors and groundwater level above
bottom of excavation: Level below bottom of excavation where moment in
sheeting is zero.
EB 07-039 Page 14 of 19
61
Theoretical
failure plane
for H-piles and
lagging
H
Theoretical
0.1 H failure plane
Theoretical
failure plane
for sheeting
Point of zero 450-/2
moment 450- /2
(a) (b)
Figure 1 - Location of Theoretical Failure Plane
3. Deadman:
Both the proposed maintenance and protection of traffic scheme and the construction
sequencing should be evaluated to ensure that there is no interference with the method
and sequence of tie rod installation and its subsequent functioning.
4. Struts or Braces / Rakers:
The location and spacing of struts or rakers should be critiqued with respect to the
allotted working space and proposed construction. Consideration should be given to
access by workers, supplies and equipment.
The installation of the raker block should be evaluated with respect to the support of the
wall system. The wall should be analyzed for any additional excavation or other
construction impacts necessary to install the raker block.
EB 07-039 Page 15 of 19
62
V. REVIEW REQUIREMENTS
A. General
All designs will be reviewed using the analyses and theories stated in this document. All designs
that are part of a construction submittal shall be stamped by a currently registered New York
State Professional Engineer and shall follow the methods described or yield comparable results.
All designs shall be detailed in accordance with the current Departmental guidelines for the
applicable item(s). Copies of these guidelines are available from the Geotechnical Engineering
Bureau.
B. Flexible Cantilevered Walls
For review of the design of a flexible cantilevered wall, the following information is required:
1. All design assumptions.
2. Cite all reference material. Provide copies of relevant pages of any reference material
that is used in the design and that is not included in the reference list on page 14.
3. Design elevations, including top and toe of sheeting or soldier pile, bottom of
excavation, site specific soil layering and parameters. Cross sections are preferred.
4. Calculations or a computer design for the sheeting or soldier pile and lagging wall
design. If a computer program is used, provide documentation of the assumptions
used in writing the program.
5. Summary of constructability aspects of the proposed design as described in

III. Flexible Cantilevered Walls: C: Constructability.
An example design calculation is shown on Appendix Pages E-1 & 2 (US Customary Units) or
Pages F-1 & 2 (International System of Units).
C. Flexible Anchored Walls
For review of the design of a flexible anchored wall, the following information is required:
1. All design assumptions.
2. Cite all reference material. Provide copies of relevant pages of any reference material
that is used in the design and that is not included in the reference list on page 14.
3. Design elevations, including top and toe of sheeting or soldier pile, bottom of
excavation, location of wales or bracing, deadman/raker block location(s), site
specific soil layering and parameters. Cross sections are preferred.
EB 07-039 Page 16 of 19
63
4. Calculations or a computer design for the anchored sheeting or soldier pile and
lagging wall design. These calculations shall include each phase of construction. If a
computer program is used, provide documentation of the assumptions used in writing
the program. The design loads for the anchors/braces shall account for the proposed
inclination (if applicable).
5. Calculations for the deadman or raker block design (if applicable).
6. Calculations for the waler design(s) showing connections.
7. For grouted tiebacks, specify proposed free length, inclination and corrosion
protection (if applicable).
8. Summary of constructability aspects of the proposed design as described in

IV. Flexible Anchored Walls: D. Constructability.
An example design calculation is shown on Appendix Pages E-3, 4 & 5 (US Customary Units) or
Pages F-3, 4, & 5 (International System of Units).
EB 07-039 Page 17 of 19
64
REFERENCES
1. USS Steel Sheet Piling Design Manual, Updated and reprinted by US Department of
Transportation / FHWA with permission: July, 1984.
2. Foundations and Earth Structures by the Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities
Engineering Command, Design Manual 7.2: May, 1982.
3. Foundation Analysis and Design, Fourth Edition by Joseph E. Bowles.
4. Principles of Foundation Engineering, Second Edition by Braja M. Das.
5. Section 5: Retaining Walls in the Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, Adopted
by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(A.A.S.H.T.O.), Seventeenth Edition, 2002.
6. Permanent Ground Anchors, FHWA-DP-90-68-003, Demonstration Projects Division:

April, 1990.
7. Recommendations for Prestressed Rock and Soil Anchors, Post-Tensioning Institute,

Fourth Edition: 2004.
8. FHWA Report No. FHWA-RD-75-128 Lateral Support Systems and Underpinning, Vol.
I, Final Report April, 1976.
9. Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice, 2nd ed., K. Terzaghi and R. B. Peck, 1967, John
Wiley and Sons, New York. The first edition was published in 1948.
10. Design and Construction of Driven Pile Foundations, FHWA-HI-97-013 Revised

November, 1998.
APPENDICIES
EB 07-039 Page 18 of 19
65
Earth Pressures
Backslope
Soil:, Where:
KA = 1 - sin
Foreslope 1 + sin
Active Earth KP = 1 + sin

Pressure H
1 - sin
Distribution
Passive Earth
Pressure KP = KP/F.S.
D Distribution
KPD KAH
Surcharge Loads
q
Surch arge
Pres sure
Distribution
K Aq
Hydrostatic Loads
HW
Hydrosta tic
Pressure
Distribution
WHW
EB 07-039 A-1
66
Inclined Backfill
Plot the anticip ated a ctive failure wedge line against the slope line . If the slope line interse cts with
the active failu re wedge line, the slope c an be considere d infinite (Case 1), othe rwise the slope can
be modele d by using an equivalent surc harge (Case 2).
Case 1
Active Failure Wedge Case 2
Active Fa ilure
Wedge
45 - /2
Case 1 - Infinite Slope Analysis
Active Earth
Pressure
Distribution
H
KARH(cos )
Where : K AR = (cos ) [cos - (cos 2 - cos 2 )0.5]

[cos + (cos2 - cos 2 )0.5]
Case 2 - Equivalent Surcharge Method

X X/2
Y Y q = Y
X/2
Surcharge
Pressure
Distribution
K Aq = KAY
EB 07-039 A-2
67
Inclined Foreslope
Plot the anticipated pa ssive failure wedge line against the slope line. If the slope line intersec ts
with the passive failure wedge line, the slope can be considered infinite (Case 1), otherwise the
slope can be accounted for by inc reasing the depth of e xcavation (Case 2). In the la tter case, both
methods should be a nalyzed and en gineering judgement used to determine the solution.
Passive Failure Wedge
Case 2
Passive
Failure Wed ge
Case 1
45 + /2
Case 1 - Infinite Slope Analysis
D Passive Pressure
Distribution
KPRD(cos )
Where : K PR = (cos ) [cos + (cos2 - cos 2 )0.5] KPR = KPR/F.S.

[cos - (cos - cos ) ]
2 2 0.5
Case 2 - Increase Excavation Depth to Compensate for Slope
H1
H2 = H1 + X
X
Passive
Pressure D
Distribution
KPD
EB 07-039 A-3
68
Chapter 23: Railroads HIGHWAY DESIGN MANUAL (HDM)

Revision No. 39
EB 07-039 A-4
69
RECOMMENDED THICKNESSES OF WOOD LAGGING
Soil Soil Description Unified Depth Recommended Thickness (inches) of Lagging
Competence Classification (ft.) (rough-cut) for Clear Spans of:
6 ft. 7 ft. 5 ft.
8 ft. 9 ft. 10 ft.
Silts or fine sand and silt above ML
the water table. SM-ML
Sands and gravels (medium GW, GP, GM 0 to 25 2 3 3 3 4 4
Competent dense to dense). GC, SW, SP, SM
Soils
Clays (stiff to very stiff); non- CL, CH 25 to 60 3 3 3 4 4 5
fissured.
Clays, medium consistency and CL, CH

H/Su < 5.
Sands and silty sands, (loose). SW, SP, SM
Clayey sands (medium dense to SC 0 to 25 3 3 3 4 4 5
dense) below water table.
Difficult
Soils Clays, heavily overconsolidated, CL, CH 25 to 60 3 3 4 4 5 5
fissured.
Cohesionless silt or fine sand ML; SM-ML
and silt below water table.
Soft clays H/Su > 5. CL, CH
0 to 25 3 3 4 5 -- --
Potentially Slightly plastic silts below water ML
Dangerous table. 15 to 25 3 4 5 6 -- --
Soils
Clayey sands (loose), below SC 25 to 35 4 5 6 -- -- --
water table.
NOTE: In the category of Potentially Dangerous Soils, use of lagging is questionable.
Reference: FHWA Report No. FHWA-RD-75-128 Lateral Support Systems and Underpinning, Vol. I.
EB 07-039 B-1
70
Earth Pressures For Braced Excavations
SAND CLAY
0.65H tan2 (45 - /2) or 0.80H tan2 (45 - /2) H[1- (4C/H)] 0.2H to 0.4H
0.2H 0.2H
0.25H 0.25H
H 0.6H H 0.50H
0.8H 0.75H
0.25H
0.2H
Dense Loose Soft to Medium Stiff-Fissured
EB 07-039 C-1
71
Deadman Pressure Distribution
Anchor
Load
H
Passive Active
Pressure Pressure
Distribution Distribution
KPH KAH
Location Requirements for a Continuous Deadman
Single Soil Layer

A B C
LD

LW
= 45 - /2 AB = LW tan
= 45 + /2 BC = LD tan

LW = Wall Length
Point of zero
moment LD = Deadman Length
Minimum Distance between = ABC = LW tan + LD tan

Wall and Deadman
= LW tan (45 - /2) + LD (tan 45 + /2)
Multiple Soil Layers - Use Geometry

A B C D
LW1 Layer 1 1 LD1

1
Layer 2 LD2
2
LW2
2
Point of zero
moment
Minimum Distance between = ABCD

Wall and Deadman
= LW2 tan 2 + LW1 tan 1 + LD2 tan 2 + LD1 tan 1
EB 07-039 C-2
72
DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF

THE SOLIDER PILE AND LAGGING WALL SPECIFICATIONS
The specifications are adaptable and require the wall designer to show site specific details on the
Contract Plans. The main purpose of these guidelines is to provide a checklist of the necessary
information that must be placed on the Contract Plans by the wall designer. In addition to serving
as a checklist, these guidelines also include some information on design issues that relate to wall
constructability. These guidelines are intended to be used with the Bridge Detail (BD) Sheet BD-
EE9 R1 Excavation and Embankment Soldier Pile with Lagging Sample Details, available at
https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/main/business-center/engineering/cadd-info/bridge-
details-sheets-repostitory/bdee9.pdf
The item numbers for these specifications are serialized to allow for separate bidding when
multiple walls are on a single project. For projects with only one wall, the "nn" will be "01".
I. Function of the Wall - The specifications do not differentiate between permanent walls and
temporary walls. The specifications may be used for either situation, with the appropriate
details placed on the Contract Plans.
A. Short Term Structural Function (temporary walls) - Used material is acceptable for
structural steel and untreated wood is acceptable for lagging. Walls outside the
roadbed limits may either be completely removed or cut off and left in place. If,
however, the wall is located within the roadbed limits, total removal is not allowed,
thereby eliminating long-term settlement concerns. The specifications allow used
material for structural steel, so no Special Note is necessary. Untreated wood lagging,
however, must be specified on the Contract Plans. Refer to Section VIII B. for the
appropriate Special Notes for temporary walls.
B. Long Term Structural Function (permanent walls) - These walls remain in place and
require new materials. Special Notes are required for this situation. Refer to Section
VIII A. for the appropriate Special Notes for permanent walls.
C. Support of Railroad Tracks- In general, soldier pile and lagging walls are not
permitted for the support of railroad tracks. Contact the Regional Geotechnical
Engineer or refer to the Geotechnical Engineering Bureau Design Manual for
exceptions and limitations.
II. Payment Lines and Limits
A. Indicate Payment Lines for those items that will be computed from the Contract
Plans:
Lagging - top of lagging to bottom of lagging as shown in the elevation view on

the BD Sheet.
EB 07-039 D-1
73
B. Indicate Payment Limits for those items that will be measured in the field:
Soldier Piles - top of pile to tip of pile, as shown in Sections X-X and Y-Y on the
BD Sheet.
Holes in Earth - existing ground surface to bottom of hole in earth. The bottom of
the hole in earth can be either the top of rock when a rock socket is present (as
shown in Section Y-Y on the example drawing) or the tip of the pile when there is
no rock socket.
Note that the upper payment limit of holes in earth may not always be the same as
the upper payment limit of soldier piles.
Rock Sockets - top of rock to bottom of socket as shown in Section Y-Y on the
BD Sheet.
III. Holes in Earth and Rock Sockets - The specifications allow soldier piles to be either driven or
placed in a hole. Holes are necessary for one (or more) of the following reasons:
Rock sockets are required.
Possibility of encountering obstructions or very compact material.
To minimize vibrations.
If holes are specified, the minimum diameter of the hole should be selected to provide a 3
in. (75 mm) minimum clear space around the soldier pile (i.e. soldier pile diagonal
dimension plus 6 in. (150 mm)).
IV. Soldier Piles - Provide only the relevant soldier pile information outlined in the table on the
BD Sheet. Factors to consider in selection of a soldier pile section are:
A. Pile Section - Select either an HP section or a relatively square W section because:
For Driven Piles

The section modulus is nearly the same in the x and y directions and,
therefore, small rotations during placement will not result in a deficient
section.
The pile section will fit a standard drive head.
The reinforced shoes for driving are standard.
The driving stresses will be evenly distributed.
For Piles Placed in Holes
The required hole diameter is minimized.
EB 07-039 D-2
74
B. Flange Width - Select a soldier pile section with a minimum flange width of 11 in.
(275 mm). This will provide a minimum bearing area for the lagging of 3 in. (75
mm), plus 1 in. (38 mm) of clearance between the end of the lagging and the web
(necessary for concrete lagging).
C. Availability - Select soldier pile sections which are available domestically. The
Manual of Steel Construction indicates the availability of sections.
D. Yield Stress - Unless otherwise indicated on the Contract Plans, ASTM A36 steel will
be furnished. If a higher yield stress is necessary, it must be indicated by a Special
Note (see Section VIII C.).
V. Backfilling of Holes in Earth and Rock Sockets - Two types of backfill are allowed in the
specifications: concrete and (excavatable) grout. The designer must specify the backfill
type(s) and limit(s) on the Contract Plans (refer to Section Y-Y on the BD Sheet). Some
things to consider when selecting type(s) and limit(s) of backfill are:
Concrete must be used in rock sockets (a requirement of the specifications).

The backfill between the bottom of the hole in earth (or the top of rock socket, if any)
and the dredgeline may be either grout or concrete. Concrete would be appropriate for
permanent walls.
Grout must be used above the dredgeline, since it can be excavated.
VI. Lagging - Show the lagging type. For the type of lagging chosen, show the following:
Treated wood (permanent walls) - indicate full dimension thickness.

Untreated wood (temporary walls) - indicate full dimension thickness.
Precast concrete panels - show the panel design using Detail A on the BD Sheet. The
Geotechnical Engineering Bureau can, if requested, provide the maximum moment.
The design of the panels is to be provided by the Regional Design Group, the
Structures Division or the Design Consultant.
Steel sheeting - indicate minimum section modulus.
VII.Waling and Bracing - Show the following information, if applicable:
Elevation of walers and braces.

Spacing of braces.
Section modulus of walers.
Design section of braces.
EB 07-039 D-3
75
VIII.Examples of Special Notes to be Placed on the Contract Plans
A. Long Term Structural Function (permanent walls)

The soldier pile and lagging wall shown will be left in place. Used material is not
permitted for Item 17551.0462nn M - Installing Soldier Piles for Soldier Pile and
Lagging Wall.
B. Short Term Structural Function (temporary walls)

1. Located inside of roadbed limits (Refer to NYSDOT Standard Specifications,
page 1-2, for the definition of roadbed limits).
When no longer necessary for excavation support, remove lagging to a
minimum of 2 ft. (0.6 m) below subgrade surface or 4 ft. (1.2 m) below final
ground surface. Cut off and remove soldier piles to a minimum of 2 ft. (0.6 m)
below subgrade surface or 4 ft. (1.2 m) below final ground surface.
2. Located outside of roadbed limits.

a. For walls where no adjacent structure or utility is present, no Special Notes
are necessary because the specifications address this situation.
b. For walls where adjacent structures or utilities might be damaged by
removal operations:
When no longer necessary for excavation support, remove lagging to a
minimum of 2 ft. (0.6 m) below subgrade surface or 4 ft. (1.2 m) below
final ground surface. Cut off and remove soldier piles to a minimum of 2
ft. (0.6 m) below subgrade surface or 4 ft. (1.2 m) below final ground
surface.
C. Other Special Notes

1. If a higher yield stress is necessary for the soldier piles:
Provide soldier pile sections meeting the requirements of ASTM A572 Grade
50 Steel.
2. For situations where a casing will be necessary for installing holes in earth
(i.e. loose cohesionless soil, high groundwater, adjacent structures, utilities,
etc.):
Temporary sleeves or casings are required for Item 17551.0460nn M - Holes
in Earth for Soldier Pile and Lagging Walls. No extra payment will be made
for the casing.
3. For situations where it appears installing holes in earth will be very difficult
and possibly require special equipment and/or procedures:
Due to the presence of ____________________, progressing the Holes in
Earth for Soldier Pile and Lagging Wall, Item 17551.0460nn M, may require
special equipment and/or procedures. No extra payment will be made for
special equipment and/or procedures.
EB 07-039 D-4
76
SELECTING A SOLDIER PILE SECTION FOR A

SOLDIER PILE AND LAGGING WALL WITH ROCK SOCKETS
The bending moment in a soldier pile varies with depth and the material in which it is embedded.
The maximum bending moment (Mmax ) expected to occur in the soldier pile is used to size the
pile. The Mmax for a cantilevered soldier pile wall with some or all of its embedment in rock (i.e.,
rock sockets) is traditionally dependant on the elevation of the rock surface assumed during
design.
During construction, it is likely that the actual rock surface will vary somewhat from the
elevation(s) assumed in design. This occurs because the amount of subsurface information
available to the designer is generally insufficient to precisely define the rock profile. During
construction, if the actual rock elevation is found to be lower than the assumed rock elevation,
the soldier pile section specified on the Contract Plans is often no longer adequate. When this
occurs, the first step is for the wall designer to review the assumptions from the original analysis
and compare them to the actual site conditions (i.e. soil conditions, ground water elevation,
surcharge loads, etc.). A re-analysis with the revised assumptions may prove the soldier pile
section shown on the Contract Plans is still adequate. If a re-analysis indicates the section is
insufficient, possible remedies and their associated consequences, are as follows:
Remedy- Increase the section modulus of the soldier pile by either ordering new steel or
welding steel cover plates to the flanges of the existing soldier piles.
Consequence- Delays, orders-on-contract, claims.
Remedy- Reduce the factors of safety in the original design.

Consequence- Not acceptable for permanent walls or critical temporary walls.
Remedy- Change the wall design by adding anchors.

Consequence- R.O.W. restrictions, additional design, delays, requires specialty Contractor
and equipment, orders-on-contract, claims.
Remedy- Change the wall design by reducing the soldier pile spacing.
Consequence- If decreasing the pile spacing is an option, payment will be required for the
additional quantities of drilling and soldier piles.
The most effective way to ensure safety and avoid costly delays and orders-on-contract is to
specify a soldier pile section that is able to accommodate likely variations in rock elevation
encountered during construction.
The following design recommendations provide a rational approach to sizing soldier piles for
walls with rock sockets:
EB 07-039 D-5
77
I. Determine the likelihood of a varying rock surface at the project site.

A. The most obvious indication of this condition is differing rock elevations in the available
subsurface explorations. In cases where there are few drill holes near the proposed wall
location, consider requesting additional drill holes or a seismic refraction survey to better
define the rock profile.
B. Discuss the probable rock profile with the Area and Regional Geotechnical Engineer.
C. At the time the rock socket design request is made (refer to Section III.), consult with an
Engineering Geologist on the variability of the rock surface at the project site. In general,
the Regions with the most variable rock surfaces are 1, 2, 7, 8 and 11.
D. Based on the results of A, B, and C above, decide if the rock is likely to differ by more
than 2 ft. (0.6 m) from the assumed rock elevation. The specification allows for a 2 ft.
(0.6 m) difference between the rock elevation shown on the Contract Plans and the actual
rock elevation before the E.I.C. is obligated to contact the Geotechnical Engineering
Bureau for recommendations.
II. Sizing a soldier pile section.

A. General
For a typical cantilevered soldier pile wall with all pile embedment in soil, Mmax occurs at
a depth of between 0.5H* (for compact soils) and 1.0H* (for loose or soft soils) below the
dredge line, where H is the exposed height of the wall (refer to Figure 1).
* These ratios are the result of a study performed by the Structures Foundation Section
of the Geotechnical Engineering Bureau. The study was based on a typical
cantilevered soldier pile wall constructed in New York State. The assumptions used in
the study are as follows:
Temporary wall with a factor of safety of 1.25 on Kp.

A 2 ft. (0.6 m) traffic surcharge: 250 psf (12.0 kPa).
No slope above or in front of the wall.
One soil layer with a unit weight of 120 pcf (18.8 kN/m3) and friction angles
ranging from 22 to 37.
Wall friction () equals zero.
Groundwater at the dredge line.
A predrilled hole with a diameter of 24 in. (600 mm).
Soldier pile spacing of 6 ft. (1.8 m) and 8 ft. (2.4 m).
An exposed wall height ranging from 8 ft. (2.4 m) to 16 ft. (5.0 m).
EB 07-039 D-6
78
Exposed W all
Height
(H)
Dredge Line
Soldier
0.5 H D ma x 1.0 H
Pile
Maximum Bending Moment

M ma x
Bending Moment in Soldier Pile
Figure 1
Bending Moment vs. Depth for a Typical
Cantilevered Soldier Pile Wall with
All Pile Embedment in Soil (All Soil Case)
For a typical cantilevered soldier pile wall with some or all pile embedment in rock ( i.e.,
rock sockets), the location of Mmax is not straightforward and it is customary to use the
larger of the following bending moments to size the pile:
1. The moment at the rock surface, or

2. The maximum moment between the dredge line and the rock surface.
Whichever case results in a larger moment depends on the distance between the dredge
line and the rock surface, and is discussed in Steps C and D below.
B. Analysis
When the Geotechnical Engineering Bureaus CASH program is used, the output
provides the bending moment values in one foot increments of pile depth. The wall
designer should run the CASH program assuming a soldier pile wall with all pile
embedment in soil (hereafter referred to as the all soil case). This output enables the
wall designer to see the effect on the pile bending moment if the rock surface is lower
than assumed. It also provides the depth of Mmax below the dredge line for the all soil
case (Dmax), which is necessary for Steps C and D below. If CASH or a computer
program that provides the moment distribution with depth is not accessible, the moments
below the dredge line for the all soil case can be calculated by hand at several depths.
EB 07-039 D-7
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C. Rock surface at a depth of Dmax or greater ( Refer to Figure 2 )

In general, if the rock surface is located lower than Dmax below the dredge line, the Mmax
will occur somewhere between the dredge line and the rock surface. Regardless of the
variability of the rock surface, the soldier pile should be sized using the Mmax as
identified in the all soil CASH run.
Exposed W all
Height
(H)
Dredge Line
Soldier
Pile Dma x
Assumed Rock Surface
M ma x
Rock Socket
Bending Moment in Soldier Pile if
Rock Surface is Lower than Assumed
Figure 2
Bending Moment vs. Depth for a Typical Cantilevered
Soldier Pile Wall Embedded in Soil and Rock
(Rock at a Depth Dmax Below Dredge line)
D. Rock surface between dredge line and Dmax ( Refer to Figure 3 )

For a rock surface located higher than Dmax below the dredge line, the Mmax will occur at
rock surface. It is assumed that the rock socket provides a rigid support (i.e., the pile is
concreted into rock) and the soldier pile experiences no increase in bending moment
below the top of the socket.
EB 07-039 D-8
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Exposed W all
Height
(H)
Soldier
Pile Dredge Line
Mmax
D max Assumed Rock Surface
Rock Socket
Bending Moment in Soldier Pile if
Rock Surface is Lower than Assumed
Figure 3
Bending Moment vs. Depth for a Typical Cantilevered
Soldier Pile Wall Embedded in Soil and Rock
(Rock at a Depth < Dmax Below Dredge line)
The Mmax for a rock surface located at Dmax can be several times larger than the Mmax for
a rock surface at the dredge line. If the actual rock surface is lower than assumed in
design, the applied soldier pile bending moment can be significantly greater than
originally assumed, and the following cases must be considered when sizing the soldier
piles:
CASE 1- Rock surface IS NOT likely to vary by more than 2 ft. (0.6 m)
from the assumed elevation:
As an absolute minimum requirement, the soldier pile should be sized using

the moment 2 ft. (0.6 m) below the assumed rock elevation (this moment can
be found on the all soil Cash output).
CASE 2- Rock surface IS likely to vary by more than 2 ft. (0.6 m) from
the assumed elevation:
Serious consideration should be given to sizing the soldier pile using the Mmax
identified in the all soil CASH run. Another approach is to design the wall
with a large enough spacing so that the spacing can be reduced during
construction, if necessary. If this approach is considered, the cost of the
EB 07-039 D-9
81
additional quantities for drilling and steel must be weighed against the cost of
sizing the soldier piles using Mmax as discussed above. If rock appears to be
highly variable, the designer should investigate a different wall type, such as
an anchored wall, in order to avoid the use of rock sockets altogether.
III. Rock Socket Design
Regardless of who designs the wall (Geotechnical Engineering Bureau, M.O. Structures
Division, Regional Design Group, or Design Consultant), the rock socket designs must be
provided by an Engineering Geologist of the Geotechnical Engineering Bureau. In addition to the
information about the rock at the project site, the Engineering Geologist must be provided with
the following information to design a rock socket:
Soldier pile spacing,

Flange width,
Maximum bending moment, and
Hole diameter.
EB 07-039 D-10
82

THE SHEETING AND EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS
Contract Plans. Design guidelines are outlined in the NYS Department of Transportation Bridge
Manual, Section 4 Excavation, Sheeting and Cofferdams, available at:
https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/divisions/engineering/structures/manuals/bridge_man
ual_4th_ed
These guidelines are also intended to point out how support system items are related to
excavation items and to explain which excavation items include protection system provisions.
These guidelines are intended to be used with the Bridge Detail (BD) Sheets:
Sheeting in Stage Construction

BD-EE14 Excavation and Embankment Sample Drawing of Stage Construction (2 of 2),
available at:
Braced Sheeting Systems

BD-EE8 Excavation and Embankment Braced Excavation Details, available at:

THE GROUTED TIEBACK SPECIFICATIONS
EE11 Excavation and Embankment Tieback Wall Details, available at:
EB 07-039 D-11
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THE STEEL TIES SPECIFICATIONS
EE11 Excavation and Embankment Tieback Wall Details, available at:
1. Show the position of the steel ties (plan location, elevation, etc.).
2. Show the design load of the steel ties. The design load should include a factor of safety of
1.5.
3. Indicate if the steel ties will be installed inside a carrier conduit. Carrier conduits are used
only to facilitate construction of the steel ties and are not related to corrosion protection.
The most common situation where the use of a carrier conduit is advantageous is when
traffic lanes have to be maintained between the wall and the deadman, i.e. traffic is
located over the proposed location of the steel ties. In general, it is difficult to install steel
ties (whether they be threaded bars with a coupler or seven wire strand cables) in stages.
Conduit, however, can be installed in stages by trenching, or in one operation by drilling
(if no obstructions are present). Once all the conduit is installed, the steel ties can be
pushed through while traffic is maintained above.
4. If steel ties (or steel ties with carrier conduit) will be installed in trenches, indicate
excavation and backfill limits and payment items for trenches.
5. A. Walls that are constructed from the "top down" (or walls that are excavated in front):
These walls are constructed by excavating downward to some depth below the
proposed steel tie elevation, installing the steel tie, and then continuing the
excavation.
1. Show the maximum depth of excavation permitted below the proposed steel tie
elevation. This number is usually 1 ft. or 2 ft. (0.45 m or 0.6. m).
2. Check the wall stability for the temporary condition before the steel tie is
installed. For walls with more than one level of ties, multiple wall stability
calculations will be required.
B. Walls that are constructed from the "bottom up" (or walls that are backfilled behind):
These walls are constructed by backfilling behind the wall up to the proposed steel tie
elevation, installing the steel tie, and then continuing the backfilling.
1. Show the elevation the backfill should be placed to before the proposed steel tie is
EB 07-039 D-12
84
installed.
2. Check the wall stability for the temporary condition before the steel tie is
installed. For walls with more than one level of ties, multiple wall stability
calculations will be required.
6. The specification allows the Contractor the option of using threaded steel bars or seven
wire strand cables. If seven wire strand cables are selected, they must be loaded and
locked off immediately after installation (i.e. before any further wall excavation/backfill).
The lock off load serves to remove slack from the cables and set the locking wedges in
the anchor head.
The lock-off load must be shown on the Contract Plans and is dependent on the type of
wall constructed as follows:
A. Walls constructed from the "top down": The lock-off load is 80 percent of the design
load.
B. Walls constructed from the "bottom up": The lock-off load is 2 kips per strand (9 kN
per strand).
For either type of wall construction, check for adequate passive resistance behind the wall
to resist the lock-off load.
7. Show corrosion protection at the anchor heads for permanent steel ties.
EB 07-039 D-13
85
EXAMPLE - CANTILEVERED SHEETING WALL (US CUSTOMARY UNITS)
Step 1: Using the Simplified Method, determine the depth of embedment and required
section modulus for the following situation (permanent sheeting).
G i ve n:
= 11 5 p cf q = 250 psf
S = 52 . 6 pc f
= 32 p1
H = 10 ft. F1
F2
p1 p2
y
O/
F3
D
F5 F4
p4 p1 p2 p3
Step 2: Rankine Theory for a level backfill:

Ka = 1 - sin = 0.31
1 + sin
Kp = 1 + sin = 3.25 Kp = Kp = 2.18

1 - sin 1.5
Step 3: Compute the pressures:

p1 = (Ka)(q) = (0.31)(250) = 77.5 psf
p2 = (Ka)()(H) = (0.31)(115)(10) = 356.5 psf
p3 = (Ka)( s)(D) = (0.31)(115-62.4)(D) = 16.31 D psf
p4 = (Kp )((s)(D)) = (2.18)(115-62.4)(D) = 114.67 D psf
Compute the forces:

F1 = (p1)(H) = (0.31)(250)(10) = 775.0 lbs/ft.
F2 = ()(p2)(H) = ()(356.5)(10) = 1782.5 lbs/ft.
F3 = (p1+p2)(D) = (77.5+356.5)(D) = 434.0 D lbs/ft.
F4 = ()(p3)(D) = ()(16.31 D)(D) = 8.16 D2 lbs/ft.
F5 = ()(p4)(D) = ()(114.67 D)(D) = 57.34 D2 lbs/ft.
EB 07-039 E-1
86
Step 4: Determine depth of embedment (D). (To compute: M@o = 0 and solve for D).
M@o = (1/3)(D)(F4 )+()(D)(F3)+(D + 1/3 H)(F2) + (D + H)(F1) - (1/3)(D)(F5) = 0
-16.39 D3 + 217 D2 + 2557.5 D + 9816.7 = 0
D = 21.7 ft.
The depth of embedment is increased by 20% to account for the differences which
exist between using the Simplified vs. Conventional Method of analysis.
D = (D)(1.2) = 26 ft.
Step 5: Find the point of zero shear (y):
FH = 0 = F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 - F5
0 = y2 - 8.83 y - 52.0
y = 8.83 8.832 - (4)(1)(-52.0) (quadratic equation)

(2)(1)
y=
12.87 ft.
Step 6: Find the maximum moment which occurs at the point of zero shear:
M@o= Mmax = -16.39 y3 + 217 y2 + 2557.5 y + 9816.7
= 43.7 kip-ft.
Step 7: Determine minimum section modulus:

S = Mmax = 21.0 in3 per foot of wall
all
( all = 25 ksi)
EB 07-039 E-2
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EXAMPLE - ANCHORED SHEETING WALL (US CUSTOMARY UNITS)
Step 1: Using the Free Earth Support Method, determine the depth of embedment,
required section modulus and anchor design load for the following situation
(temporary sheeting).
q = 35 0 psf
4.0 ft. p1 = 120 pc f

AL S = 57. 6 pc f
H = 22.0 ft. F1
F2 = 32
p1 p2
F3
D
F5 F4
p4 p1 p2 p3
Ka = 1 - sin = 0.31
1 + sin
Kp = 1 + sin = 3.25 Kp = Kp = 2.60

1 - sin 1.25

p1 = (Ka)(q) = (0.31)(350) = 108.5 psf
p2 = (Ka)()(H) = (0.31)(120)(22) = 818.4 psf
p3 = (Ka)(s)(D) = (0.31)(57.6)(D) = 17.86 D psf
p4 = (Kp)(s)(D) = (2.60)(57.6)(D) = 149.76 D psf
Since the water level is at the same elevation on both sides of the wall, the net
water pressure is zero.
EB 07-039 E-3
88
Step 3: (Cont.)
Compute the forces:
Moment Arm
F1 = (p1)(H) = (108.5)(22) = 2387.0 lbs/ft. (22) 4.0 = 7.0
F2 = ()(p2)(H) = ()(818.4)(22) = 9002.4 lbs/ft. 2/3 (22) 4.0 = 10.67
F3 = (p1 + p2)(D) = (108.5+818.4)(D) = 926.9 D lbs/ft. (22 4.0) + D/2 = 18.0 + D/2
F4 = ()(p3)(D) = ()(17.86 D)(D) = 8.93 D2 lbs/ft. (22 4.0) + 2/3 D = 18.0 +
2/3 D
2
F5 = ()(p4)(D) = ()(149.76 D)(D) = 74.88 D lbs/ft. (22 4.0) + 2/3 D = 18.0 +
2/3 D
Step 4: Sum moments about the anchor to determine depth of embedment:

MAL = 0
=(7.0)(F1) + (10.67)(F2) + (18.0 + D/2)(F3) + (18.0 + 2/3 D)(F4) - (18.0 + 2/3 D)(F5)
=16709.0 + 96055.61 + 16684.2 D + 463.45 D2 + 160.74 D2 + 5.95 D3 1347.84 D2
49.92 D3
=112764.61 + 16684.2 D 723.65 D2 43.97 D3
D 16.35 ft.
The depth of embedment is increased by 20 % to minimize lateral deflection
of the sheeting at its base.
D = 1.2(D) = 1.2(16.35) = 19.62 ft. 20 ft.
Step 5: Determine anchor load (sum the horizontal forces):

FH = 0
F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 - F5 - AL = 0
2387.0 + 9002.4 + 15154.82 + 2387.19 20017.11 - AL = 0
AL = 8914.3 lbs per foot of wall
A safety factor of 1.5 is applied to the anchor load to determine the anchor design load.
1.5(AL) = 13371.5 lbs per foot of wall
EB 07-039 E-4
89
Step 6: Determine depth of zero shear (assume that the point of zero shear will occur a
distance S from the top):
q = 35 0 psf
p1
AL
s
H = 22.0 ft. F6
p1 p5 F7
p5 = (Ka)()(s) = (0.31)(120)(s) = 37.2 s

F6 = (p1)(s) = 108.5 s
F7 = ()(p5)(s) = ()(37.2 s)(s) = 18.6 s2
FH = 0 F6 + F7 - AL = 0
18.6 s2 + 108.5 s 8914.3 = 0
Using the quadratic equation:
s = -108.5 (108.5)2 - (4)(18.6)(-8914.3) (quadratic equation)

(2)(18.6)
s= 19.17 ft.
Step 7: Determine maximum moment (sum moments about the point of zero shear):
Mmax = AL(s 4.0) - (s/2)(F6) - (s/3)(F7)
= (8914.3)(15.17) - (9.59)(2079.95) - (6.39)(6835.29)
= 135229.93 19946.72 43677.5
=71.6 kip-ft.

S =Mmax = 34.4 in3 per foot of wall
all
( all = 25 ksi)
EB 07-039 E-5
90
EXAMPLE-
CANTILEVERED SHEETING WALL (INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS)
Step 1: Using the Simplified Method, determine the depth of embedment and required
section modulus for the following situation (permanent sheeting).
G i ve n:
2
= 18 . 0
k N / m3 q = 12.0 kN /m
S = 8.1 9 kN/m 3
p1
= 32
H = 3.0 m F1
F2
p1 p2
y
O/
F3
D
F5 F4
p4 p1 p2 p3

Ka = 1 - sin = 0.31
1 + sin
Kp = 1 + sin = 3.25 Kp = Kp = 2.18

1 - sin 1.5

p1 = (Ka)(q) = (0.31)(12.0) = 3.72 kN/m2
p2 = (Ka)()(H) = (0.31)(18.0)(3.0) = 16.72 kN/m2
p3 = (Ka)( s)(D) = (0.31)(18.0-9.81)(D) = 2.54 D kN/m2
p4 = (Kp )((s)(D)) = (2.18)(18.0-9.81)(D) = 17.88 D kN/m2
Compute the forces:

F1 = (p1)(H) = (0.31)(12.0)(3.0) = 11.16 kN/m
F2 = ()(p2)(H) = ()(16.72)(3.0) = 25.08 kN/m
F3 = (p1+p2)(D) = (3.72+16.72)(D) = 20.44 D kN/m
F4 = ()(p3)(D) = ()(2.54 D)(D) = 1.27 D2 kN/m
F5 = ()(p4)(D) = ()(17.88 D)(D) = 8.94 D2 kN/m
EB 07-039 F-1
91
Step 4: Determine depth of embedment (D). (To compute: M@o = 0 and solve for D).
M@o = (1/3)(D)(F4 )+()(D)(F3)+(D + 1/3 H)(F2) + (D + H)(F1) - (1/3)(D)(F5) = 0
-2.56 D3 + 10.22 D2 + 36.24 D + 41.82 = 0
D = 6.5 m
The depth of embedment is increased by 20% to account for the differences which
exist between using the Simplified vs. Conventional Method of analysis.
D = (D)(1.2) = 7.8 m
Step 5: Find the point of zero shear (y):
FH = 0 = F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 - F5
0 = y2 - 2.66 y - 4.72
0= 2.66 2.662 - (4)(1)(-4.72) (quadratic equation)

(2)(1)
y = 3.88 m
Step 6: Find the maximum moment which occurs at the point of zero shear:
M@o= Mmax = -2.56 y3 + 10.22 y2 + 36.24 y + 41.82
= 186.8 kN-m

S = Mmax = 1083 x 103 mm3 per meter of wall
all
( 3 2
all = 172.5 x 10 kN/m )
EB 07-039 F-2
92
EXAMPLE - ANCHORED SHEETING WALL (INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS)
Step 1: Using the Free Earth Support Method, determine the depth of embedment,
required section modulus and anchor design load for the following situation
(temporary sheeting).
q = 16 .7 5 kN /m
2
1.2 m p1 = 19. 0 k N/m 3

AL S = 9.2 kN /m 3
H = 6.7 m F1
F2 = 32
p1 p2
F3
D
F5 F4
p4 p1 p2 p3
Ka = 1 - sin = 0.31
1 + sin
Kp = 1 + sin = 3.25 Kp = Kp = 2.60

1 - sin 1.25

p1 = (Ka)(q) = (0.31)(16.75) = 5.19 kN/m2
p2 = (Ka)()(H) = (0.31)(19.0)(6.7) = 39.46 kN/m2
p3 = (Ka)(s)(D) = (0.31)(9.2)(D) = 2.85 D kN/m2
p4 = (Kp)(s)(D) = (2.60)(9.2)(D) = 23.92 D kN/m2
Since the water level is at the same elevation on both sides of the wall, the net
water pressure is zero.
EB 07-039 F-3
93
Step 3: (Cont.)
Compute the forces:
Moment Arm
F1 = (p1)(H) = (5.19)(6.7) = 34.77 kN/m (6.7) - 1.2 = 2.15
F2 = ()(p2)(H) = ()(39.46)(6.7) = 132.19 kN/m 2/3 (6.7) - 1.2 = 3.27
F3 = (p1 + p2)(D) = (5.19 + 39.46)(D) = 44.65 D kN/m (6.7 - 1.2) + D/2 = 5.50 + D/2
F4 = ()(p3)(D) = ()(2.85 D)(D) = 1.43 D2 kN/m (6.7 - 1.2) + 2/3 D = 5.50 +
2/3 D
2
F5 = ()(p4)(D) = ()(23.92 D)(D) = 11.96 D kN/m (6.7 - 1.2) + 2/3 D = 5.50 +
2/3 D
Step 4: Sum moments about the anchor to determine depth of embedment:

MAL = 0
=(2.15)(F1) + (3.27)(F2) + (5.50 + D/2)(F3) + (5.50 + 2/3 D)(F4) - (5.50 + 2/3 D)(F5)
=74.76 + 432.26 + 245.58 D + 22.33 D2 + 7.87 D2 + 0.95 D3 - 65.78 D2 - 7.97 D3
=507.02 + 245.58 D - 35.58 D2 - 7.02 D3
D 4.95 m
The depth of embedment is increased by 20 % to minimize lateral deflection
of the sheeting at its base.
D = 1.2(D) = 1.2(4.95) = 5.9 m
Step 5: Determine anchor load (sum the horizontal forces):

FH = 0
F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 - F5 - AL = 0
34.77 + 132.19 + 221.02 + 35.04 - 293.05 - AL = 0
AL = 129.97 kN per meter of wall
A safety factor of 1.5 is applied to the anchor load to determine the anchor design load.
1.5(AL) = 194.96 kN per meter of wall
EB 07-039 F-4
94
Step 6: Determine depth of zero shear (assume that the point of zero shear will occur a
distance S from the top):
q = 16 .7 5 kN /m
2
p1
AL
s
H = 6.7 m F6
p1 p5 F7
p5 = (Ka)()(s) = (0.31)(19.0)(s) = 5.89 s

F6 = (p1)(s) = 5.19 s
F7 = ()(p5)(s) = ()(5.89 s)(s) = 2.95 s2
FH = 0 F6 + F7 - AL = 0
2.95 s2 + 5.19 s - 129.97 = 0
Using the quadratic equation:
s = 5.82 m
Step 7: Determine maximum moment (sum moments about the point of zero shear):
Mmax = AL(s - 1.2) - (s/2)(F6) - (s/3)(F7)
= (129.97)(4.62) - (2.91)(30.21) - (1.94)(99.92)
= 600.46 - 87.91 - 193.84
=318.71 kN - m

S =Mmax = 1848 x 103 mm3 per meter of wall
all
( all = 172.5 x 103 kN/m2)
EB 07-039 F-5
95
NYSDOT Bridge Manual - Section 4
Section 4
Structure Excavation, Sheeting and Cofferdams
4.1 General Guidelines for Structure Excavation Protection and Support
The designer should become familiar with the appropriate specifications in the most current
version of the Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials. The following guidelines
shall in no way supersede the specifications. The intent of these guidelines is to explain the
differences between the types of systems that are used to support excavations and those used
to protect the workers and to identify:
C When they are used.

C Who is responsible for the design.
C What is to be shown on the Plans.
This section is intended to provide guidance on the commonly used excavation items in bridge
construction. Users should refer to Chapter 9 of the Highway Design Manual (HDM) for
guidance on excavation protection systems for trench and culvert excavations.
These guidelines conform to OSHA definitions, which differentiate between a support system as
being a "structure . . . which provides support to an adjacent structure, underground installation,
or the sides of an excavation" and a protective system, which protects workers from cave-ins.
"Protective systems include support systems, sloping and benching systems, shield systems,
and other systems that provide the necessary protection."
The Departments responsibility in designing excavations is to provide support of the roadway

and adjacent structures and utilities. The Contractors responsibility in performing excavations is
to provide protection for the workers from cave-ins.
It is assumed that designers are familiar with the design procedures necessary to do the
designs. If, however, geotechnical design assistance is needed, refer to "Geotechnical Design
Procedure for Flexible Wall Systems" GDP-11 or contact the appropriate Departmental
Geotechnical Engineer.
If support or protective systems are used in the vicinity of a railroad right-of-way, special
requirements are usually necessary. Contact the appropriate Railroad Liaison for additional
information. (See Chapter 23 of the Highway Design Manual.)
Protection for employees working in an excavation shall be provided except when:
C The excavation is made entirely in stable rock; or

C The excavation is less than 5 feet deep and an examination of the ground by a
competent person gives no indication of a potential cave-in.
For excavations less than 5 feet in depth, only the excavation items need to be shown on the
plans. OSHA regulations do not require any special steps be taken regarding worker protection.
April 2010 4-1
96
For excavation depths from 5 feet through 20 feet, one of the following scenarios shall be used:
1. If there is no encumbrance with elements which would require support, (e.g.

traffic lane, underground utilities, structures or their foundations, or the existing
right of way etc.) within a safe slope that meets OSHA guidelines (typically: 1
vertical to 1.5 horizontal) measured from the bottom of the excavation to existing
ground, it is considered to be in compliance with OSHA regulations that cover
worker protection. In this case, only excavation and backfill items need to be
specified and the cost estimate shall be based on the payment lines shown on
the plans.
2. If there is interference within a safe slope that meets OSHA guidelines (typically
the 1 vertical and 1.5 horizontal) but vibrations are minor and repairable
subsidence is not considered to be a problem, and there is no interference at
least 10 ft. from edge of excavation, then a steeper slope of up to 1 vertical to 1
horizontal may be used, if approved by the Regional Geotechnical Engineer or
Geotechnical Engineering Bureau. The cost estimate shall be based on the
payment lines shown on the plans.
3. If 1 or 2 above cannot be satisfied, an appropriate sheeting support system is

required and shall be designed and detailed on the contract drawings, by the
Department or the Departments Consultant.
For excavations greater than 20 feet, a support system or slope lay back must be site
specifically designed and detailed on the contract plans. If a slope lay back is feasible as
determined by the Regional Geotechnical Engineer or Geotechnical Engineering Bureau, it shall
be designed and detailed on the plans and serve as a support system, and the cost estimate
shall be based on the payment lines shown on the plans. A support system shall be designed
and specified (i.e., a sheeting item or soldier pile and lagging wall) to provide for worker
protection where a designed slope lay back is not feasible.
See the BD-EE series for appropriate excavation and embankment details and item numbers.
4.2 Unclassified Excavation and Disposal
This is a general excavation Item (203.02) to remove material not provided for in another Item.
Typically, this involves large excavations using large equipment. No special care, other than
reaching grade, is required.
No provisions for a support system are included in this item. Additional items for support or
protective systems must be added, as necessary, for support of the excavation or to protect
workers.
4-2 April 2010
97
4.3 Structure, Trench and Culvert, and Conduit Excavation
The Structure Excavation Item (206.01) provides a small, neat excavation using smaller
equipment. The Trench and Culvert Items (206.02 and 206.04) provide a neat excavation in a
confined space; typically for pipe or culvert excavations. The Conduit Excavation Item (206.03)
also provides a neat excavation in a confined space; typically for conduit or direct buried cable
excavations. For all Items, special care is required to provide an excavation with an undisturbed
bottom.
The designers attention is called to Item 206.04 - Trench and Culvert Excavation - O.G., which
specifies that the top payment line is "the ground surface prior to commencing work." Over time,
the typical construction contract has changed from building a road on new location to
rehabilitating an existing facility. Todays operations on existing location requiring the
maintenance of traffic dictates how a contractor sequences the work. This new item should
result in the best method of measurement for most construction contracts.
However, there are some instances where it is desirable to use the old method of measurement
for trench and culvert excavation. For these instances Item 206.02 - Trench and Culvert
Excavation, whose only purpose is to keep the old top payment line and method of
measurement, is still appropriate. The instances where this item should be used are:
1. Road built on new location.

2. Construction taking place on existing road where a majority of the road is closed and
traffic rerouted by a detour detailed in the plans.
3. When, after considering M&P/T, excavation work, road configuration and other
factors, the logical and probable sequence of work the Contractor will choose is
general excavation/fill first then trench and culvert excavation second.
The designer, when using Item 206.02 Trench and Culvert excavation under #3, should always
consult the Regional Construction Office to confirm the decision. Both items can be used on the
same project provided clear details are shown in the contract documents.
The following information is to be shown on the Contract Plans:

C Location
C Typical sections showing payment lines.
4.4 Removal of Substructures
This item (202.19) is used only to remove concrete and masonry. If excavation is needed to
remove the substructure, the excavation should be shown and paid for under the Structure
Excavation Item (206.01). Item 202.19 is used to partially or fully remove stone or concrete
substructures that are not to be repaired or altered and reused.
April 2010 4-3
98
4.5 Excavation Protection System
This Item (552.16) should only be used for Trench and Culvert excavations greater than 5 feet
and less than 20 feet in depth. It provides for worker protection only where vibration or minor
repairable subsidence are not considered a problem and no lay-back option is available due to
ROW constraints, traffic, etc. An EPS is not acceptable for stage construction of highways or
bridges or culverts. EPS is also not acceptable to protect workers from a one sided excavation,
such as a cut into an existing slope. See Chapter 9 of the Highway Design Manual for details.
4.6 Interim Sheeting
4.6.1 Interim Steel Sheeting
This Item (552.15) uses steel sheeting to provide temporary support during progression of an
excavation. This sheeting is then cut off to an elevation specified in the Contract Plans and the
remainder is left in place. The decision to leave in place is usually dictated by soil conditions
and will be made by others. The Geotechnical Group, Rails, Structures or even the Department
of Environmental Conservation may have input during design and should be consulted. For
example, sheeting may be left in place when there is stage construction, when pulling the
sheeting may leave voids, or when the sheeting is adjacent to a structure and pulling the
sheeting may cause structural damage to the adjacent structure. Sheeting may be previously
used material, but must be in satisfactory condition and suitable for the intended application.
This sheeting is to be designed by the State or the State's Consultant. The following information
is to be shown on the Contract Plans:
C Plan location of the sheeting placement
C Typical section(s) showing:
B Elevations for the top and toe of the sheeting.
B Elevation for the bottom of the excavation.
B Minimum embedment below the bottom of the excavation.
B Elevation at which sheeting is to be cut off.
B Payment lines.
B Location of wales or bracing, if required.
C Minimum section modulus for the sheeting
C If required, minimum section modulus of wales and size of bracing
4-4 April 2010
99
Table1 showing the soil parameters used for the design:
WALL
UNIT FRICTION
ELEVATION COHESION FRICTION
LOCATION WEIGHT ANGLE
(Feet) (lb/in2) ANGLE
(lbs/ft3) (Degrees)
(Degrees)
0 0
Notes: Divide the passive earth pressure coefficient (Kp) by 1.25.

Groundwater is assumed at Elevation _______.1
A surcharge load of ___ lb/in2 is assumed at the top of the wall.1 and 2
Sheeting cannot be driven below Elevation _______, due to
_______ (choices: rock, boulders, compact material, obstructions,
artesian water pressure).1 and 2
Any other pertinent information1
1
If the sheeting is associated with a structure for which a Foundation Design Report (FDR) has been prepared,
the FDR will provide this information. If, however, an FDR has not been prepared or the sheeting is not in the
vicinity of the structure, this information is to be provided by the Geotechnical Engineering Bureau or the
Regional Geotechnical Engineer for inclusion on the plans.
2
If applicable, this note should be added.
Table 4-1
Soil Design Parameters
4.6.2 Interim Timber Sheeting
This Item (552.14) uses timber sheeting to provide temporary support during progression of an
excavation. This sheeting is then cut off to an elevation specified in the Contract Plans and the
remainder is left in place. The decision to leave in place is usually dictated by soil conditions
and will be made by others. The Geotechnical Group, Rails, Structures or even the Department
of Environmental Conservation may have input during design and should be consulted. For
example; sheeting may be left in place when there is stage construction, when pulling the
sheeting may leave voids, or when the sheeting is adjacent to a structure and pulling the
sheeting may cause structural damage to the adjacent structure. The timber may be used
material and of any acceptable species. It shall be free of any defects that may impair its
strength or tightness.
B Typical section(s) showing:
- Elevations for the top and toe of the sheeting
- Elevation for the bottom of the excavation
- Minimum embedment below the bottom of the excavation
- Elevation at which sheeting is to be cut off
- Payment lines
April 2010 4-5
100
- Location of wales or bracing, if required

C Minimum cross section (use actual dimensions) and stress grade for the timber
C If required, minimum cross section (use actual dimensions) and stress grade for the
timber of wales and bracing
C Show the same table used for Interim Steel Sheeting (Section 4.6.1).
4.7 Temporary Sheeting
4.7.1 Temporary Steel Sheeting
This Item (552.13) uses steel sheeting to provide temporary support during progression of an
excavation. When no longer needed for excavation support, the sheeting shall be removed. The
Contractor may leave the sheeting in place only with the written approval of the Engineer. The
sheeting may be used material, but must be in satisfactory condition and suitable for the
intended application.
B Payment lines.
4.7.2 Temporary Timber Sheeting
This Item (552.12) uses timber sheeting to provide temporary support during progression of an
excavation. When no longer needed for excavation support, the sheeting shall be removed. The
Contractor may leave the sheeting in place only with the written approval of the Engineer.
Unless stated otherwise on the Contract Plans, the timber may be used material and of any
acceptable species. It shall be free of any defects that may impair its strength or tightness.
B Payment lines.
4-6 April 2010
101
4.8 Permanent Sheeting
4.8.1 Permanent Steel Sheeting
This Item (552.11) uses steel sheeting to provide permanent support. Associated work may or
may not require an excavation. The sheeting is then left in place to function as a structure.
Unless stated otherwise on the Contract Plans, only new, unused ASTM A328 steel is to be
used.
B Elevation for the bottom of the excavation, if applicable.
B Minimum embedment below the bottom of the excavation, if applicable.
B Payment lines.
C Show the same table used for Interim Steel Sheeting (Section 4.6.1) except in the first
note change 1.25 to 1.5 for permanent conditions.
4.8.2 Permanent Timber Sheeting
This Item (552.10) uses timber sheeting to provide permanent support. Associated work may or
may not require an excavation. The sheeting is then left in place to function as a structure.
Unless stated otherwise on the Contract Plans, the timber shall be new, unused material of any
acceptable species. It shall be free of any defects that may impair its strength or tightness.
This sheeting is to be designed by the State or the State's consultant. The following information

B Elevations for the top and toe of the sheeting
B Elevation for the bottom of the excavation, if applicable
B Minimum embedment below the bottom of the excavation, if applicable
B Payment lines
B Location of wales or bracing, if required
April 2010 4-7
102
C Show the same table used for Interim Steel Sheeting (Section 4.6.1) except in the first
note change 1.25 to 1.5 for permanent conditions.
4.9 Cofferdam and Waterway Diversion Guidelines
The designer should become familiar with the specifications for cofferdams in the most current
version of the Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials. The following guidelines
shall in no way supersede the specifications.
Cofferdams are temporary enclosures to keep excavations free from earth, water, ice, or snow
and to permit the excavation to be carried to elevations shown on the Contract Plans. These
elevations may be lower than the planned bottom of excavation due to an undercut. Permanent
substructure protection systems are not to be paid for under the cofferdam item.
A waterway diversion is a temporary structure that diverts or pumps water around an area so
that excavation or work can be accomplished. The use of a waterway diversion is primarily to
provide water quality protection. The area from which water is diverted does not need to be
earth, water, ice or snow free. A waterway diversion structure is not a substitution for or equal to
a cofferdam. Unlike cofferdams, a temporary waterway diversion structure does not need to be
designed by a registered Professional Engineer.
The use of cofferdams, permanent sheeting, stream diversions and associated temporary
access fills requires permits, approvals and coordination with various State and Federal
regulatory agencies (Department of Environmental Conservation, Corps of Engineers,
Adirondack Park Agency, Department of State, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine
Fisheries Service, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Coast Guard).
Permits contain conditions that must be adhered to and shall be included in the Contract
Documents (proposal/plans). Regulatory agencies may place seasonal restrictions on work in
the waterway, may require restoration plans, and limit the types of materials to be used. The
Designer should coordinate with the Regional Landscape/Environmental Unit (RL/E Unit) early
in the project design to facilitate environmental reviews and permit/coordination procedures.
The Designer must also coordinate with the Regional Hydraulics Engineer regarding the
location and number of cofferdams and temporary access fills that may be in place at any given
time and the number of construction seasons they will be in place. The Regional Hydraulics
Engineer can also assist when choosing between a cofferdam or waterway diversion structure
or determine if both are necessary.
A cofferdam item should be included in contract plans only if the proposed bottom of footing
elevation for a substructure is below the Ordinary High Water (O.H.W.) elevation. A cofferdam
item is generally not called for:
C When existing substructure removal is performed in water (this operation need not be
performed in a "dewatered" condition unless required by specific project requirements),
or
4-8 April 2010
103
C To install stream bank protection (turbidity curtains, dikes, waterway diversions or other
erosion and sediment control measures should be utilized, as appropriate, to limit
turbidity at the substructure removal site or when performing bank stabilization activities.
At times, a closed system may be utilized to confine turbidity without having to be
dewatered. Those measures should be paid for under the appropriate Standard
Specifications Section 209 pay items).
A temporary waterway diversion structure may be used for operations where stream flow needs
to be relocated around a work site but the work site does not require dewatering. For example,
placing stone fill along a slope, or excavating for and placing stone fill for keyways.
At the request of the designer, in consultation with the Regional Hydraulics Engineer, the
Regional Landscape Architect and/or Environmental Engineer and permitting agency, the
cofferdam item shall include additional streambank protection based upon installation timing
and waterway flows. No less than a 2-year storm event potential shall be taken into account in
designing temporary streambank protection.
When permanent sheeting is called for on the Contract Plans to protect against vessel impact, a
cofferdam item shall be included to provide for the cost of de-watering and construction
protection. The Contractor will have the option of installing separate cofferdam protection, or
incorporating the permanent sheeting in the cofferdam system. If the latter option is chosen, the
cofferdam item will cover all additional bracing required to strengthen the sheeting system, if
required, and any work necessary to return the permanent sheeting to its required function after
the cofferdam operation is complete. On occasion, anchor spuds are driven to facilitate
construction of the cofferdam system and they are included in the price bid for the cofferdam.
When the sole purpose of the system is to protect dewatering and construction operations, the
entire system will be covered under the cofferdam item.
Where stream diversion or other alternates are allowed as a substitution, the work shall be paid
for at the price bid for the cofferdam at that location.
Cofferdams will be paid for on an each basis and shown as an enclosed area on the Contract
Plans. This will expedite environmental reviews and permit procedures prior to PS&E. Use a
separate serialized item number for each cofferdam to assure that varying field conditions are
accounted for at each location. Cofferdams will be classified as either Type 1 or Type 2:
Type 1 (Item 553.01nnnn) cofferdams are required for a water depth exceeding 8 ft.,
measured from the bottom of excavation to anticipated Ordinary High Water or when special
conditions warrant. They must be designed by a Professional Engineer licensed and
registered to practice in New York State retained by the Contractor. The design is submitted
to the Engineer-in-Charge for review by the DCES a minimum of twenty (20) working days
prior to installation.
Type 2 (Item 553.02nnnn) cofferdams are limited to a maximum anticipated depth of 8 ft.,
measured from the bottom of excavation to anticipated Ordinary High Water. They must be
designed by a Professional Engineer licensed and registered to practice in New York State
retained by the Contractor. The Contractor submits to the Engineer-in-Charge, for review,
the methods to be employed a minimum of ten (10) working days prior to installation. No
design computations are required to be submitted.
April 2010 4-9
104
The Designer shall select the appropriate cofferdam type based on anticipated water elevation
and bottom of excavation. Stream integrity characteristics such as high velocity, ice pressure
and scour potential may warrant a Type 1 cofferdam even if the depth is less than 8 ft.
For cost estimating purposes, assume that the cofferdam extends 2 ft. above Ordinary High
Water and 3 ft. laterally beyond the limits of the proposed footing. See the appropriate section of
this manual related to navigable water clearances for additional information. The Contractor
shall determine the actual field limits required to satisfy conditions of the specification. (Such as
not interfering with battered piles.)
When a cofferdam is used in conjunction with a tremie seal, the designer shall include Note 44
from Section 17.3 on the Contract Plans indicating the critical water elevation at which the
system should be flooded in order to prevent the tremie seal from becoming buoyant. The
Geotechnical Engineering Bureau will provide the flooding elevation. See Section 11 for
additional information on the design of tremie seals.
The location(s) of sediment removal areas shall be indicated on the Contract Plans. The
designer should obtain input from the Regional Landscape/Environmental Unit. See Section
17.3, Notes 40 44, for standard cofferdam notes to be placed on the contract plans. In some
streams the Ordinary High Water elevation can be several feet higher than the Low Water
elevation. This could lead to a cofferdam design of excessive size and cost that may be
inappropriate for the majority of the construction operation. In consultation with the Regional
Hydraulics Engineers it may be appropriate to designate by a note on the plans a more realistic
elevation above which the system should be flooded to avoid overloading rather than expect the
cofferdam to serve the most severe field condition as inferred in the specification.
4-10 April 2014
105
EXCAVATION REQUIREMENTS
ITEM 203.02 ITEM 206.01 ITEM 206.02 ITEM 206.03 ITEM 202.19 ITEM 580.01
Unclassified Structure Excavation Trench and Culvert Conduit Excavation Removal of Removal of Structural
Excavation and Excavation and and Backfill Substructures Concrete
Disposal ITEM 206.04
Trench and Culvert
Excavation - O.G.
Intended Use: General excavation Provide a small, Provide an excavation Provide an excavation To partially or fully Removal of structural concrete
item to remove carefully excavated in a confined space. in a confined space. remove stone or from structural concrete
material not area with smaller Example: Pipe and Example: Conduit and concrete elements. Examples: Patching of
provided for in equipment. culvert excavations. direct buried cable substructures that are abutments and piers; abutment
another itemlarge excavations. not to be repaired or backwall removal to a defined
excavations using altered and reused. elevation where vertical

large equipment. (Does not include reinforcing is to remain and the
Excavation.) backwall reconstructed.
Special Care None, other than Bottom of excavation Bottom of excavation to Bottom of excavation to To not damage To not damage remaining
Required: reaching grade. to be undisturbed. be undisturbed. be undisturbed. remaining concrete, if concrete.
any is to remain.
Disposal: Included Included Included Included Included Included
Backfill No Yes, except select Yes, except select Yes No. Requirements for N/A
Included: material. material. Structure Excavation
Item 206.01 apply.
Dewatering No Yes Yes Yes Yes N/A
Included:
Layback Option No Yes-if detailed Yes-if detailed without a Yes-if detailed without a N/A N/A
Available to without a support or support or protection support or protection
Contractor: protection system system item. system item.
item.
Protective Excavation support CONTRACTOR: If no CONTRACTOR: If CONTRACTOR: If CONTRACTOR: N/A N/A
System Design is not included in system is specified Excavation Protection Excavation Protection
Responsibility this item. Additional (excavation without System (EPS) Item, System (EPS) Item,
item(s) must be support system). cofferdam, or no cofferdam, or no
used. STATE OR system specified. system specified.
CONSULTANT: If STATE OR STATE OR
support system is CONSULTANT: If any CONSULTANT: If any
specified. system other than EPS system other than EPS
or cofferdam indicated. or cofferdam indicated.
Pay Unit Cubic Yard Cubic Yard Cubic Yard Linear Foot Cubic Yard Cubic Yard
4-11
Table 4-2
Excavation Requirements
106
4-12
SUPPORT AND PROTECTION SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
ITEM 206.01*
ITEM 552.14 ITEM 552.16 ITEM 206.02*
ITEM 552.10 ITEM 552.12
ITEM 552.15 Excavation Protection System ITEM 206.03*
ITEM 552.11 ITEM 552.13
Interim Sheeting Support (for details see Section 9.3.12 of ITEM 206.04*
Permanent Sheeting Temporary Sheeting
System (Left in Place) HDM) Trench, Culvert and
Structure Excavation
Intended Use: Provide excavation support. Provide excavation support. Provide temporary excavation For excavations less than 20 ft., Included in these items
To remain in place to function May be removed from site support. When no longer provide temporary support to is the protection
as a structure. when no longer required for needed as support, is cut off protect workers for excavations necessary to ensure
support unless written and left in place. Example: Wall where layback is not an option. safety of workers.
approval of Engineer allows it within embankment for staged Not to be used in the vicinity of
to remain. construction. adjacent structure or utility.
Designed By: State/Consultant State/Consultant State/Consultant Contractor Contractor
Materials: Steel: New New or used New or used New or used sheeting, shoring, Anything meeting the
Timber: Any acceptable trench box, or shield; other pre- requirements of OSHA.
species free of defects. engineered support system
Final Status: Left in place Removed or left in place with Left in place after use, but cut Removed or left in place with Removed after use.
Engineers approval. off to elevation shown/stated on Engineers approval.
plans.
Layback No No No No Yes
Option
Available:
De-Watering No: No: No: No: Yes
Included: Included in excavation item. Included in excavation item. Included in excavation item. Included in excavation item.
Pay Unit: Square foot Square foot Square foot Square foot Cubic Yard, Linear Foot
Show on Plan location//Typical Section Plan location//Typical Section Plan location//Typical Section Location Location
Plans: showing: elev. for sheeting showing: elev. for sheeting showing: elev. for sheeting top Typical Section showing
top and toe plus excavation top and toe plus excavation and toe plus excavation bottom, Typical Section - If used for pipe payment lines when
bottom, min. embedment, bottom, min. embedment, min. embedment, payment installation. situation not covered by
payment lines//Min. section payment lines//Min. section lines//Min. section modulus for Standard Sheets.
modulus for sheeting and modulus for sheeting and sheeting and wales (if
wales (if required)//Soil wales (if required)//Soil required)//Bracing size (if
parameters table parameters table required)// Soil parameters
//Groundwater elev. //Groundwater elev. table//Groundwater elev.
//Pertinent notes. //Pertinent notes. //Pertinent notes//Cut-off
elevation.
*If detailed without a support system. See Guidelines
Table 4-3
Excavation Requirements
107
COFFERDAM REQUIREMENTS
ITEM 553.01nnnn ITEM 553.02nnnn ITEM 553.03nnnn
Cofferdams (Type 1) Cofferdams (Type 2) Temporary Waterway Diversion Structure
Intended Use: Protect and dewater an excavation to install Protect and dewater an excavation to Divert flow
foundation elements. install foundation elements.
Designed by: Contractors NYS Professional Engineer Contractors NYS Professional Engineer Contractor
Review by New York State: Design, including computations and method Methods to be employed Methods to be employed
of installation.
Materials: New or used timber or steel sheeting, New or used timber or steel sheeting, New or used timber or steel sheeting,
impermeable earth-filled bags, precast impermeable earth-filled bags, precast impermeable earth-filled bags, precast concrete,
concrete, commercially designed system. concrete, commercially designed system. commercially designed system, such as a
Portadam.
Pay Unit: Each Each Each
Show on Plans: Plan Location Plan Location Plan Location
Depth: Exceeding 8 ft. or special conditions 8 ft. maximum 8 ft. maximum
warrant.
Table 4-4
Cofferdam Requirements
4-13
108

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20th STATEWIDE CONFERENCE

Excavation Protection System

Syracuse, New York

Excavation Protection System

Syracuse, New York

Soldier Pile and Lagging Walls..................................................................................... 25

Braced Walls (35 minutes)............................................................................................ 36

Geotechnical Design Proceedure for Flexible Wall Systems................................... 46

NYSDOT Bridge Manual - Section 4............................................................................. 95

Presenter: Ernie Holmberg

Course Objectives Common Excavation Support Systems

Course References NYSDOT Bridge Manual

NYSDOT Bridge Manual

The excavation is made entirely in stable rock; or

The excavation is less than 5 feet deep and an

NYSDOT Bridge Manual

1. If there are no encumbrance with elements which

NYSDOT Bridge Manual NYSDOT Bridge Manual

Drill Logs Typical Values for Common Soil

SAND 30 - 32 110 - 130

GRAVEL 32 - 34 120 - 140

CLAY (drained 22 - 26 110 - 120

Soil Parameters in Plans

Groundwater elevation determination

Based on groundwater elevations on

Soil Parameters in Plans Total Vertical Pressure

Pore Water Pressure (Neutral Pressure) Effective Stress Principle

Neutral Pressure at Point O = u = uH = uV = zW W So: V = z - zW W

Effective Stress Principle 2 Effective Stress Principle - Example

Effective Stress at Point O = V = z - zW W Find: Effective Stress at Point O

Effective Stress Principle Example 2 Rankine Earth Pressures

Rankines Active State Rankines Passive State

KA = tan2(45- /2) FA = KAH2 KP = tan2(45+ /2) FP = KPH2

Coefficient of Active Earth Coefficient of Passive Earth

cos - (cos2 - cos2) cos + (cos2 - cos2)

Where : = Backfill slope angle Where : = Backfill slope angle

Earth Pressure Coefficients Level Submerged Level Backfill

If the backfill surface is level, angle is 0 and KA and

KA = (1 sin ) / (1 + sin ) = tan2(45- /2) H

KP = (1 + sin ) / (1 - sin ) = tan2(45+ /2)

Submerged Backfill Active Forces Submerged Backfill Passive Forces

KAH2 WH2 FA KPH2 WH2 FP

Question Example - Solution

Active forces without water:

Example - Solution Rankine Theory vs. Coulomb

Steel is the most common sheeting

Sheets are driven to a depth sufficient for

Cantilevered Sheeting - Continued Cantilevered Sheeting - Advantages

In order to achieve the required resistance Quick, 1 Step installation process

Cantilevered Sheeting - Disadvantages Disadvantages - continued

The Simplified Method

The simplified method assumes that a

Not as accurate as the Conventional Method,

The Simplified Method The Simplified Method

See GDP-11 for a Simplified Analysis example.

A. Lateral pressure due to uniform surcharge:

Figure 1 Steps 4 and 5

Step 4 Calculate the resultant forces, acting on one

Step 5 -Calculate the depth of embedment (d) by