Embedded Retaining Wall Design and Performance Monitoring for Deep Excavation in Geological Conditions of Qatar

Abstract

Embedded retaining walls such as diaphragm walls and secant bored pile walls have become viable water-tight earth retaining and stabilizing systems for deep excavation in urban areas. In this article, the design aspects of a diaphragm wall are presented, and its performance is assessed and comparison of predicted wall movements with the observed behavior is discussed. The geotechnical analysis and design of retaining system was performed by finite element analysis using PLAXIS with linear elastic perfectly plastic constitutive model. Structural calculations for the support system were done using structural program Staad Pro. A monitoring program was adopted to monitor the performance of the designed retaining system. Design methodology and discussion on understanding of performance monitoring presented in this paper provides a reference for the future design and safe economical construction of similar structures in geological conditions of Qatar. It also provides basis for the potential refinement of the monitoring techniques of embedded retaining walls in Qatar.