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ASMI-2023 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

NUMERICAL MODELLING OF SECANT PILES

Bontha Dhileep Surya1, Suresh Kommu2*

1
Department of Civil Engineering, VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering
and Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India.
2
Department of Civil Engineering, VNR Vignana JyothiInstitute of Engineering
and Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India.
*Corresponding Author Email-id: [email protected]
Abstract:
This study presents numerical modeling of a secant pile wall and investigates the lateral
displacements, as well as the pressure exerted on the secant pile wall due to the existing
soil. The analysis was performed using a finite element method software package, which
simulates the behavior of the soil-pile interaction system under various soil conditions.
The numerical model considers the geometrical and material properties of the soil, pile,
and concrete infill, as well as the effects of water pressure, soil swelling, and ground
movement on the stability of the wall. The results of the analysis show that the secant
pile wall is capable of resisting the expected lateral and vertical loads, and earth
pressures, and the deflection of the wall is within the acceptable limits. Furthermore, the
study investigates the effects of different design parameters on the performance of the
secant pile wall, including the spacing and diameter of the piles, the thickness and
strength of the concrete infill, and the soil properties. The findings of this research provide
valuable insights into the behavior and performance of secant pile walls, which can help
engineers and contractors to improve the safety and efficiency of deep excavation
projects in urban environments.
Keywords: Secant pile wall, vertical and horizontal displacements, Earth pressures,
finite element method.

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

1. Introduction:
Piles are construction structural elements that are used to transfer loads from a building or structure to
the ground. They are typically utilized when the soil conditions are insufficient to directly support the
loads. Piles are deep foundations driven and drilled into the ground to give support and stability. Soil
conditions, load requirements, site limits, and construction procedures all influence the type of pile used.
Secant piles are a type of deep foundation structure made up of interlocking reinforced concrete piles.
These piles are often set close together to form a continuous wall, which is commonly utilized as a
retaining structure in excavations or to give lateral support in regions with difficult soil conditions. The
name "secant" refers to the mathematical idea of a secant line intersecting a curve, and it refers to how
the piles are built to intersect and form a continuous barrier in this application. Secant pile walls are
widely utilized in projects where traditional retaining walls may not be appropriate due to space
constraints, neighboring structures, or the need to minimize soil movement. They are especially useful
in metropolitan areas and locations with high groundwater levels. The fundamental advantage of secant
piles is their capacity to withstand lateral stresses from the surrounding soil, making them appropriate
for deep excavations such as basements and underground parking facilities. Compared with other piling
systems, the secant pile method is capable of providing greater wall stiffness and earth shoring [11]. The
retaining wall stability check reveals that the secant pile wall is secure against overturning on both clay
and sand, but it cannot withstand the sliding and bearing capacity of the soil behind the wall [12]. The
successful application of secant pile in this challenging environment can be demonstrated in the fact that
the secant pile produced good results in the project's construction, and no major area leakage phenomena
were discovered [7]. Secant pile walls are built with two types of piles: These are the initial piles set at
regular intervals along the wall's alignment. They are frequently formed by drilling and are typically
made of unreinforced concrete or inferior materials. FE method can be used effectively to predict wall
stresses, and deformation [2]. self-organizing map-based optimization yields a better construction
sequence than does the particle swarm optimization [4]. Secant pile walls are commonly used in projects
when standard retaining walls are ineffective due to space limits, adjacent structures, or the necessity to
minimize soil movement. They are particularly useful in urban areas and areas with high groundwater
levels. The lateral deflection in the secant pile wall was significantly reduced as the penetration depth
ratio increased [14]. Secant piles primary advantage is their ability to withstand lateral loads from the
surrounding soil, making them suitable for deep excavations such as basements and subterranean parking
facilities. Secant pile walls are constructed using two types of piles: These are the first piles, which are
spaced at regular intervals along the wall's alignment. They are often constructed by drilling and made
of unreinforced concrete or inferior materials. A deep secant pile is built and soil is investigated they
discovered that the soil is permeable and that full-scale pumping trials can drop the GWT to the required
level behind the secant pile [5]. Secant pile walls can be used to form a barrier that reduces ground
movement, safeguarding neighboring structures from damage caused by excavation-induced settlements
or ground displacement. Secant pile walls are appropriate for urban locations with limited space and
where typical excavation support systems may be impractical due to space constraints. The capacity to
build secant pile walls close together makes them a viable option in such situations. Even with casings,
secant pile wall construction can have an impact on nearby structures [3]. When settlement and tiltmeter
data are not available when excavating through saturated clays, distortions determined from inclinometer
data can be utilized to infer distortions in a neighboring structure [1]. The numerical modeling was
carried out under various load situations, and it was discovered that as the load increased, so did the
vertical settlement, which decreased when a secant pile was installed [13]. Secant pile walls can provide
a strong foundation in regions with varied soil layers or unstable soils by reaching into more stable soil
or bedrock levels. Increasing the spacing between the secant pile walls results in an increase in both
lateral displacement and bending moment [8]. Since the verticality for various auger technologies
exhibits significant randomness, the design of secant piles should take this into account [8]. Secant pile
walls allow engineers to alter characteristics like pile diameter, spacing, and materials based on project-
specific requirements and ground conditions. When compared to conventional building methods, secant

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

pile walls can typically be built with less noise, vibration, and disturbance to the surrounding region.
The magnitude and distribution of lateral pressure depend on soil properties, excavation depth, and
flexural stiffness of the wall [9]. The deformation analysis is impacted by altering the stiffness modulus
as well as the diameter, length, and spacing of the piles in plaxis [6].

Fig. 1: Secant piles [1]

2. PLAXIS 2D- Finite Element Program Used for This Study:

In PLAXIS 2D, two-dimensional finite element analyses in which any numerical model can be executed
either by plane stain or axisymmetric model.
Plane-Strain: The plane strain model is used for uniform cross-sections having a large dimension of
geometry on one side compared with the other side. In this case, the corresponding stress state and loading
condition over a certain length are perpendicular to the cross-section (z-direction). Normal stresses in z-
direction are fully considered but displacement and strain are considered as zero.

Fig. 2: Plane strain model [1]

Axisymmetric: Axisymmetric model employed for circular structure with radial cross-section and
loading condition around the central axis. In this case, stress and deformation are considered to be

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ASMI-2023 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

identical in any radial direction. Axisymmetric problem x-coordinate corresponds to radius and y-
coordinates correspond to the axial line of symmetry.

Fig. 3: Axisymmetric model [1]

Element:
In PLAXIS 2D, the user can select two different triangular elements i.e., 15 nodes and 6 nodes based on
the model requirement. 15-node triangular elements are mostly preferred compared to 6 node elements
due to high-quality stress results and accuracy.15 node triangle provide fourth-order interpolation for
displacements which consists of twelve Gauss point (stress point) for 9 any numerical integration
whereas, 6 node triangle involves second-degree interpolation for displacement with three Gauss points
for numerical integration.
Soil Model:
In PLAXIS, several soil models are given to execute the soil behavior of a particular field and to simulate
other structural elements such as the Mohr-coulomb model, linear elastic model, hardening soil, soft soil
model, modified cam-clay model, soft soil creep, jointed rock model and user-defined model. Among
all the models, Mohr -coulomb model represents a supreme soil model which depicts approximately the
real soil. Mohr -coulomb model requires five basic soil input parameters i.e., cohesion (c), friction angle
(φ), deformation modulus (E), Poisson’s ratio (μ), and dilatancy angle (ψ). The soil model which is
utilized in this study is enlisted below and their properties explained in detail.
Mohr-Coulomb Model:
It is a linearly elastic perfectly plastic model governed by 5 parameters such as cohesion (kPa), Angle
of internal friction (φ), Dilatancy angle (ψ), Young’s modulus or stiffness (kPa), and Poisson’s ratio.
This model is suggested for a preliminary study of the issue under consideration. The calculation of
deformation is quicker due to the constant stiffness estimated for each layer. The proper K0 value must
be chosen to produce initial horizontal soil stress.

Fig. 4: Mohr Coulomb model [1]

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ASMI-2023 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

Hardening Soil Model:

It is an advanced material model used in PLAXIS to simulate the behavior of soil. This model isdescribed
by means of 5 main parameters include Cohesion (kPa), Angle of internal friction (φ), Dilatancy angle
(ψ), elastic modulus or stiffness (kPa), and Poisson’s ratio. In this model, the stiffness of soil is explained
more accurately using different stiffness such as E50, Eur, and Eoed.
Where,
E50 or Ei = Initial stiffness or Triaxial stiffness
Eur =Unloading/ reloading stiffness

Eoed = Oedometer stiffness

Lateral Earth Pressure at Different Conditions:

Active earth pressure: In certain scenarios, the soil surrounding a pile can experience lateral movement
due to external factors such as excavation, construction activities, or adjacent loads. This lateral soil
movement can result in increased lateral pressures on the pile, which need to be considered to ensure the
pile's stability and structural integrity. If the piles are installed on sloped terrain, the active soil pressure
generated by the sloping soil mass can affect the stability of the piles. The lateral pressure fromthe sloping
soil can induce bending moments and shear forces on the piles, influencing their design andload-bearing
capacity. Piles in proximity to a structure or an embankment might experience lateral soil pressures due
to the loadings applied to the nearby structure. For instance, if the pile is located close to a retaining wall,
the lateral soil pressure exerted by the wall's backfill can impact the behavior of the pile. During
earthquakes, the soil can undergo significant lateral movements, which can impact the piles. These lateral
movements can lead to increased lateral loads on the piles and influence their design to resist seismic
forces effectively.
Passive earth pressure: Piles can be subjected to lateral loads due to various factors such as wind, seismic
forces, adjacent construction, or other external loads. The passive earth pressure developed in the soil
can provide additional lateral load resistance to the pile. By considering passive resistance, engineers
can design piles that can effectively withstand these lateral loads. In cohesive soils or clayey soils, the
pile can displace soil as it is driven or installed. This displacement can lead to the development of passive
resistance along the sides of the pile. This resistance is particularly significant in cases where the soil is
relatively stiff and cohesive. Piles located near retaining walls or bulkheads can experience passive
resistance due to the lateral pressure exerted by the retained soil against the piles. This passive resistance
helps stabilize the piles and can be an important consideration in designing piles for such scenarios. In
certain cases, piles can be used to improve slope stability by resisting lateral movements of the soil mass.
The passive resistance generated by the soil can contribute to the stabilization of the slope and prevent
potential slope failure. In situations where lateral displacement of piles needs to be controlled or
minimized, passive earth pressure can be utilized to resist pile movement. This is particularly important
in cases where pile displacement might adversely affect adjacent structures or infrastructure. Piles are
often used as deep foundations to support structures. The passive resistance developed along the pile
shaft can contribute to the overall load-bearing capacity of the pile. By accounting for passive resistance,
engineers can optimize the pile design for both axial and lateral loads.

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ASMI-2023 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

3. METHODOLOGY:

Secant Pile Wall

Soil Profile Creation Pile Creation Construction

Meshing Boundary
Analysis
Conditions

Interpretation Reporting

The construction of a secant pile wall can be simulated using PLAXIS 2D software. The following
methodology can be followed to construct a secant pile wall using PLAXIS 2D:
 Soil Profile Creation: Create the soil profile using the built-in soil layers in the software. Input
the soil parameters such as unit weight, shear strength, and other necessary parameters.
 Pile Creation: Create the primary pile and secondary piles using the built-in pile option in
PLAXIS 2D. Input the pile properties such as diameter, spacing, and pile material.
 Secant Pile Wall Construction: Once the primary pile is created, create the secondary piles by
overlapping them with the primary pile. Use the "Generate secant pile wall" option to create the
wall. The overlap distance between the piles can be adjusted as per the design.
 Boundary Conditions: Set the boundary conditions for the model. The boundary conditions may
include fixing the bottom of the model, applying loads, and setting the water table elevation.
 Meshing: Generate a finite element mesh for the model. The mesh density should be chosen
based on the complexity of the model.
 Analysis: Run the analysis and observe the results. The results may include pile forces,
deformations, and stresses.
 Interpretation: Analyze the results and make conclusions based on the design assumptions.
Make changes in the design if necessary.
 Reporting: Generate a report based on the analysis and interpretation. The report should include
the model inputs, results, and conclusions.

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ASMI-2023 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

Determination of Overlapping Factor in Secant Pile Wall:

Fig. 5: Representation of secant pile wall in AutoCAD

Fig. 6: Overlapping part of secant pile wall

In Fig 5 the overlapping of secant piles was observed in the AutoCAD considering the piles with the
center of diameter. Generally, when any load is applied on the piles the overlapping is observed in the
piles with certain declination in the pile angles. In fig 6 the piles are declined at an angle of 55 and 125
degrees.
Reason for overlapping of secant pile:
Secant piles are overlapped or interlocked to produce a continuous wall that provides greater structural
stability and lateral support performance. Secondary (hard) piles can penetrate and interlock with
primary (soft) piles due to secant pile overlap. Because of this interlocking, a single structure is formed
that can withstand higher lateral loads from soil pressures, groundwater, and other external forces. The
interlocking piles' combined load-bearing capacity exceeds that of separate piles. This is especially
critical in urban areas where surrounding structures or utilities must be protected against ground
movement. The interconnecting of secant piles can improve water infiltration resistance. The
interlocking joints of reinforced concrete piles can assist in forming a watertight barrier that prevents
groundwater from seeping through the wall. Engineers can modify the overlap length, pile spacing, and
other factors based on the unique geotechnical conditions, load requirements, and site constraints with
overlapping secant piles. The overlapping secant piles distribute lateral loads over the length of the wall
more uniformly. This serves to lessen localized strains and potential failure spots. During excavation

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ASMI-2023 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

and construction activities, the interlocking piles work together to resist soil movement and ground
settlement, ensuring that

Numerical Modelling:
The numerical analysis was used to solve the objectives in a better and faster manner. Plaxis 2D program
is used for modeling. The initial goal is to figure out the best stiffness of the geogrid for a secondary
pile. Because the embankment will be built on soft soil, large deformations will occur, and geogrid will
be used to combat this deformation and strengthen the soil.
Table 1 shows This type of soil is often used as the ground material in your model. You can assign its
unit weight, modulus of elasticity, cohesion, angle of internal friction, and Poisson's ratio to define its
mechanical behavior. Similar to embankment soil, peat's properties can be used to represent its behavior
in the model. The lower unit weight and possible lack of modulus of elasticity might indicate that peat
is a softer and less dense material compared to others. Clay properties can be used to define its behavior.
In this case, the angle of internal friction might be missing because clay is typically considered a cohesive
material with no well-defined angle of internal friction. Sand properties are used to simulate its behavior.
The high angle of internal friction indicates that sand is more resistant to shear failure compared to other
materials. The properties of the secondary pile casing (unit weight, modulus of elasticity, Poisson's ratio)
are essential for modeling the interaction between the pile casing and the surrounding soil. The primary
pile's properties are important for modeling its behavior under load. Its high modulus of elasticity
indicates that it's a stiff structural element. By assigning these material properties to the appropriate
regions of your PLAXIS 2D model, you can simulate the response of the soil and piles under various
loading conditions.
Table 1: Properties of soil for modeling

Unit Modulus of Angle of

Cohesion Poisson's
Type of material weight elasticity internal
(kN/m3) (kN/m2) (kPa) friction(⁰) ratio(m)
Embankment soil
16 25000 1 30 0.3
Peat 8 - 2 23 -
Clay 16 5000 5 - -
Sand 17 50000 0 33 0.3
Secondary Pilecasing 78.5 200000 - - 0.25
Primary Pile 25 30*106 - - 0.15

For the peat, the stiffness factors of lamda =0.15 k*=0.03 were used for the project.
The below diagram shows that it has three different soil layers assigned at different depths:
- At a depth of 10m, there's a layer of sand material.
- At 9m depth, there's a layer of clay material.
- At 6m depth, there's a layer of peat material.

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

Piles are structural elements driven into the ground to support loads. In your model, the piles start at a
depth of 20m and extend downwards. These piles support a load applied above. There's a load acting on
the piles above ground level. This load could represent a building, structure, or any other load-bearing
element. Define the dimensions of the model, including the lateral extent and the depth of the soil layers.
Place the piles at the specified depth (20m) and configure their properties. Apply appropriate boundary
conditions to simulate the real-world conditions of your scenario. This may involve defining the lateral
boundaries as fixed or allowing for deformation. Apply the load to the piles above ground level,
considering the actual load distribution and magnitude. You may also need to specify the load
application method (point load, distributed load, etc.). Set up the analysis parameters, including the type
of analysis (static or dynamic), convergence criteria, and other simulation settings. Run the simulation
in PLAXIS 2D to observe the behavior of the soil layers and piles under the applied load. The software
will provide you with information on displacements, stresses, and other relevant results. Analyze the
results to understand how the soil layers and piles interact and respond to the applied load. This
information can help you assess the stability and deformation of the system.

Fig. 7: Final model in PLAXIS of piled embankment with multiple layers

4. RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS

Lateral Earth Pressure at Rest Condition:

Lateral earth pressure is the pressure exerted by soil or other materials against a retaining structure,such
as a wall or foundation. When soil is excavated or a structure is built, the surrounding soil exerts a force
on the structure, which can cause it to move or even collapse if the force is too great. There are three types
of lateral earth pressure: active, passive, and at rest. Active lateral earth pressure is the force exerted by
the soil on a retaining structure when the soil is in a state of instability, such as when it is being excavated
or when there is an increase in water pressure behindthe structure. Passive lateral earth pressure is the
force exerted by the soil on a retaining structurewhen the soil is in a state of stability, such as when it
has been compacted or when there is a decrease in water pressure behind the structure. At-rest lateral
earth pressure is the force exerted by the soil on a retaining structure when the soil is in a state of
equilibrium, neither expanding norcontracting. In this case, to compare the behavior of lateral earth
pressure at rest conditions at various construction stages for the total 16m height secant pile wall is taken
and the pressure distribution was taken at the ends and in between the overlap of the reinforced and
unreinforced piles and thenat various construction stages, the lateral earth pressure behavior is as shown
in FIG 8. It has multiple piles, specifically the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 18th, and 19th piles, that are driven or

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ASMI-2023 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

inserted into the ground to support a structure or achieve some engineering objective. You've noticed
that as the depth of the pile decreases, the corresponding lateral earth pressure tends to decrease. When
a pile is inserted into the ground, it displaces the surrounding soil. This displacement can lead to lateral
earth pressure, which is the pressure exerted by the soil against the sides of the pile. At rest conditions,
there might not be any additional external loading applied to the piles; you are observing the natural
behavior of the soil and piles. The depth of the pile refers to how far the pile is inserted into the ground.
Deeper piles generally experience more lateral earth pressure because they interact with a larger volume
of soil. This observation suggests that the depth of the pile has a significant influence on the lateral earth
pressure exerted on it. The decrease in lateral earth pressure with decreasing pile depth might be due to
the fact that shallower piles interact with a smaller volume of soil, leading to less soil displacement and
consequently less lateral pressure. The deeper the pile, the more soil it displaces, which can result in
higher lateral pressure.

Fig. 8: Graph representing Lateral earth pressure at rest condition.

Lateral Earth Pressure at Active Condition:

When a secant pile wall is subjected to external loads and there is the movement of the soil, the lateral
earth pressure acting on the wall is referred to as the active earth pressure. The active earth pressure
represents the pressure exerted by the soil against the wall as it tends to move or deform. In this case, to
compare the behavior of lateral earth pressure at the active condition at various construction stages for
the total 16m height secant pile wall is taken and the pressure distribution was taken at the ends and in
between the overlap of the reinforced and unreinforced piles and then at various construction stages, the
lateral earth pressure behavior is as shown in Fig 9. The graph shows that the piles located at the 7th,
18th, and 19th positions have earth pressure values that overlap. This suggests that, at these positions,
the lateral earth pressure values are similar or comparable. In other words, the piles at these locations
are experiencing similar interactions with the surrounding soil, resulting in similar lateral earth pressure
magnitudes. You have multiple piles located at different positions, denoted as the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 18th,
and 19th piles. These positions likely refer to specific points along a line or some other reference on the
ground. Lateral earth pressure refers to the force exerted by the soil against the sides of the pile due to
soil deformation caused by the pile's presence. The graph indicates that the 1st pile, located at a different
position, has higher earth pressure values around 1900 kN/m². This implies that the lateral earth pressure
acting on the 1st pile is greater compared to the other piles at the 7th, 18th, and 19th positions.

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

Fig. 9: Graph representing Lateral earth pressure at active condition.

Lateral Earth Pressure at Passive Condition:
When a surcharge load is applied on top of the soil adjacent to a secant pile wall, it can significantlyaffect
the lateral earth pressure acting on the wall. The surcharge load refers to any additional loador weight
applied above the ground surface near the retaining structure. Calculating the lateral earth pressure on a
secant pile wall due to a surcharge condition involves considering the surchargeload, soil properties, wall
geometry, and the assumed behavior of the soil-pile interaction. The method used for the analysis can
vary based on the complexity of the problem and the desired levelof accuracy. In this case, to compare
the behavior of lateral earth pressure at the active conditions at various construction stages for the total
16m height secant pile wall is taken and the pressure distribution was taken at the ends and in between
the overlap of the reinforced and unreinforced piles and thenat various construction stages the lateral
earth pressure behavior is as shown in Fig.10. The graph depicts that the 2nd and 19th positions. Lateral
earth pressure refers to the force exerted by the soil against the sides of the pile due to soil deformation
caused by the pile's presence. The key observation is that the lateral earth pressure values on the piles at
the 2nd and 19th positions exhibit a linear profile as the depth of the piles varies. This means that there
is a proportional relationship between the depth of the pile and the lateral earth pressure it experiences.
As the pile's depth increases, the lateral earth pressure also increases in a linear manner.

Fig. 10: Graph representing Lateral earth pressure at passive condition.

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

Lateral Displacement of Secant Pile Wall:

The lateral displacement of a secant pile wall refers to the movement or deflection of the wall
perpendicular to its vertical axis under the influence of external loads and soil pressures. It is an essential
consideration in the design and analysis of secant pile walls as it affects the stability, performance, and
serviceability of the structure. The lateral displacements were taken at the secant pile wall facing various
stages of construction to understand the behavior of lateral displacements at the different construction
stagesfor a total 16m height wall as depicted in Fig. 11. Lateral earth pressure refers to the pressure
exerted by the soil against the sides of the pile due to soil deformation caused by the pile's presence. You
have observed that the lateral earth pressure values on the piles at the 2nd and 18th positions exhibita linear
profile as the depth of the piles varies. This means that the relationship between pile depth and lateral
earth pressure can be described by a straight-line equation.

Fig. 11: Graph representing Lateral displacements of secant pile wall.

Validation:
In this study, the PLAXIS software was utilized to perform the two-dimensional (2D) numerical analysis
in the condition of axis-symmetric. For the validation of the software, the same configuration which was
taken by Basha and Zakaria is simulated in the finite element software, PLAXIS 2D in this study the
model has the configuration as that reported by Basha and Zakaria, the geometry of the baseline model
of the secant pile wall. They have worked on the vertical and horizontal displacements on the surface of
the secant pile wall during the renovation of the tomb of Jam Nizam-Al-Din Samoo, Makkli Thatta. Fig.
12 shown below shows the validation works for the lateral displacements obtained fromboth the research
paper and the present research work. The difference in the values obtained is obtained about 6%.
Doi:10.1007/s13369-023-07657-4.

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

Fig. 12: Graph representing validation of Lateral displacements.

5. Conclusion:
 In the present study behavior of Secant pile walls with respect to the lateral loads was
studied. Allthe models were developed numerically by using Plaxis 2D.
 Lateral displacements were found almost the same in both the primary and secondary
pilesat the beginning and the end of secant pile wall but in opposite directions, as the
(AASHTO) specifies the allowable displacement limit for retaining walls as no more
than 1% of the wall height and the maximum lateral displacement obtained is 0.06644m
which is eventually less than0.16m (i.e., 1% of the wall height).
 When a surcharge is considered, the first pile has depicted greater earth pressure at the
top surface level itself which is a peculiar phenomenon. It has shown a greater decrease
in pressure with respect to depth in comparison with the 19th and 7th piles which have
almost coincided.
 In the active and passive conditions, though all the piles have depicted maximum earth
pressure at the surface, each of the pile’s behavior has changed with respect to depth.
Endpile has shown the greatest pressure of all whereas others have shown slightly similar
values.

6. References:

[1] “Richard J. Finno, Sebastian Bryson, and Michele Calvello (2002) Performance of a stiff
the excavation support system in soft clay and the response of an adjacent building,
Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE) 1090-0241(2002)128:8(660).”
[2] “Suroor H, Galagoda M, McGhee C (2008) Design and construction of circular secant pile
walls in soft clays. In: Sixth international conference on case histories in geotechnical
engineering.”
[3] “Cem Altuntas, Deo Persaud, Alan R. Poeppel (2009) Secant pile wall design and
construction. International Foundation Congress and Equipment Expo 2009”
[4] “Jieh-Haur Chen, Li-Ren Yang , Mu-Chun Su (2015) Comparison of SOM-based
optimization and particle swarm optimization for minimizing the construction time of a secant
pile wall. Automation in Construction 18 (2009) 844–848,
Doi:10.1016/j.autcon.2009.03.008”

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1280 (2023) 012040 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1280/1/012040

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