Parametric studies of DDC-induced deflections of sheet pile walls in soft soils

This paper presents a thorough finite element (FE) parametric study of sheet pile wall deflections caused by deep dynamic compaction (DDC). In this study, the effects of several parameters which may affect the wall deflections were investigated. These parameters are (1) wall embedment length; (2) tamping distance; (3) impact energy per blow; (4) blow counts; (5) soil types on the supporting side of sheet pile walls; and (6) wall stiffness. The effects of these parameters were quantified and discussed, and the factors that help to reduce wall deflections were identified. A series of figures which depict the effects of these parameters were generated. Finally, some suggestions and recommendations for design and construction were reached.