Piles Adjacent Retaining Wall

[cancmm]

I'm looking at a foundation design for a structure that is situated very close to a sheet pile retaining wall. The geotechnical engineer has stated that the length of pile within the active wedge of the retaining wall shall be considered as unrestrained. Is this typical practice? The slenderness effects on the piles goes through the roof as this causes the unsupported length to increase dramatically. Any references on this?

Thanks.

 

[PEinc]

Not that I am aware of. I've designed abutment bearing piles behind sheeting walls and never considered an unbraced pile length behind the walls.

http://www.PeirceEngineering.com

 

[fattdad]

I'd have to question the use of Cp in considering the horizontal capacity of the pile in the retaining wall's active zone, however.

f-d

¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

 

[hokie66]

My approach to design of the piles would depend on how the sheet piling relates to the pile supported structure. If there is any chance of the sheet piling being degraded or disappearing with time, then I would agree with the geotech engineer's recommendation. The first thing I would do is talk to him and find out why he gave this advice.