Braced Cut is an excavation in which the active earth pressure from one bulkhead is used to

support the facing bulkhead. Bracing is used when temporary trenches for water, sanitary, and
other lines are opened in soil.

The load is transferred to the struts at various points, so the triangular active pressure
distribution does not develop. Struts are installed as the excavation goes down, the upper part of
the wall deflects very little due to the strut restraint. The pressure on the upper part of the wall is
considerably higher than is predicted by the active earth pressure equations.

The soil removed from the excavation is known as the spoils. Spoils should be placed far
enough from the edge of the cut so that they do not produce a surcharge lateral loading.

The bottom of the excavation is referred to as base of the cut, mudline, dredge line, and
toe of the excavation. Excavation below the water table should be dewatered prior to cutting.

III. Shoring of Braced Cuts

Two Types of Shoring of Braced Cuts

a) Box Shoring
b) Close Sheeting

a) Box Shoring

b) Close Sheeting
IV. Analysis of Braced Cuts in Different Soils

1. Braced Cuts in Sand (Non-Cohesive Soil)

The analysis of braced cuts is approximately due to the extensive bending of
the sheeting. For drained sand, the pressure distribution is approximately uniform with
depth.

Pmax = 0.65 Ka γ H
Strut 0.1 H
Strut
p max = 0.8 Ka γ H
Strut Strut
H 0.7 H
Strut Strut

0.2 H

Pecks Pressure Diagram Tschebotarioff

Pressure Diagram for Design of Bracing System

2. Braced Cuts in Stiff Clay

For undrained clay, φ = 0 ͦ. In the case, the lateral pressure distribution depends
γH
on the average undrained shear strength (cohesion) of the clay. If ≤ 4, the clay is
c
stiff and the pressure distribution is given.

Strut
0.25 H

Strut p max
0.5 H
Strut

0.25 H

Peck’s Pressure Diagram for Stiff Clay

a) Use :
pmax = 0.2 γ H to 0.4 γ H
 b) Except when the cut is underlain by deep, soft, normally consolidated clay,
the maximum pressure can be approximated as:

[
pmax = 1−
4c
γH
γH
]
3. Braced cut in Soft Clay

γH
If ≥ 6 , the clay is soft and the lateral pressure distribution will be as shown.
c

[
pmax = 1−
4c
γH
γH
]
Strut
0.25 H

Strut p max

Strut 0.75 H

Peck’s Pressure Diagram for Soft Clay

a) Use :
pmax = γ H – 4c

γH
b) If 6 ≤ ≤ 8, the bearing capacity of the soil is probably sufficient to prevent
c
shearing and upward heave. Simple braced cuts that should not be attempted is
γH
>8.
c

4. Braced cut in Medium Clay

γH
If 4 < ≥6 , the clay is soft and stiff clay cases should both be evaluated. The
c
case that results in greater pressure should be used when designing the bracing.

V. Analysis of Strut Reaction

 Since braced excavations with more than one strut are statically indeterminate,
strut forces and sheet piling, moments may be evaluated by assuming hinged beam action.

The strut load may be determined assuming that the vertical members are hinged
at each strut level except the topmost and the bottommost ones.

R1
R1
R2A
R2A + R2B
p ma R2B
R3A + R3B
R3A
R4
R3B

R4

Determination of Strut Loads

VI. Problem Solving

1. A braced cut in sand 7 m deep is shown in Figure. In the plan, the struts are placed at
s = 2 m center to center. Use Peck’s Empirical Pressure Diagram. Determine the load
on each strut.

5m

1m

2m Sand
∅=30 °
7m KN
γ=17
2m cu m

2m
 Bottom of Cut
Note:

Problems are solved depending on the type of soil, so read the problem carefully. At times,
it is indicated in the problem itself of what kind of procedure is desired.

Solution:

a) Refer to the Peck’s Empirical Formula and Diagram above:

1−sinφ 1−sin 30 1
Ka= = =
1+sin φ 1+sin 30 3

pa=0.65 K a γ H = 0.65 (1/3) ( 17) (7) = 25.783 KP a

b) Solve for the ω, unit weight using the spacing

ω= pa s = 25.78 KPa (2) = 51.57 KN/ m

c) Make a Diagram of the unit pressures per strut, by isolating each section.
ω

1m 1m 1.5 m
RA ω(3)
2m 2m ω
RB1 RB2
7m B ω B
2m 2m
Rc ω(4)
2m
2m
Figure A Figure B

Original Figure Isolate by Section

 d) After isolating each section and including all pressures needed, solve for the
Reactions(Pressures).

For Figure A ( Green):

∑ M B=0
2 RA = 51.57 (3) (1.5)
RA = 116.03 KN

∑ M A =0
2 RB1 = 51.57 (3) 0.5)
RB1 = 38.68 KN

For Figure B ( Yellow):

∑ M C =0
2 RB2 = 51.57 (4) (0)
RA = 0

∑ M B 2=0
2 RC = 51.57 (4) (2)
RA = 206.28 KN

For other Reactions:

RB = RB1 + RB2 = 38.68 + 0 = 38.68 KN

VII. Problems

1. The elevation and plan of a bracing system for an open cut in sand are shown.
Assume γsand = 110 pcf and φ = 36 ͦ . Use Peck’s empirical pressure diagram.
Calculate the load on each strut.

2 ft Struts (4 struts bracing) per line

A
Sand
7 ft
B This is the top view 10 ft

7 ft
 C 10 ft
7 ft
D

7 ft

Side View Section Plan Top View Plan for Spacing of Strut Bracing
(@ 10 ft c.c. from one strut set to another)