Earth Pressure and Frictional Resistance Analysis on Open Caisson During Sinking

Abstract:

Based on the limit equilibrium theory and the hypothesis of planar sliding plane, formulae were deduced to calculate open caisson earth pressure and frictional resistance during sinking on single non cohesive soils. Then the formulae were extended to layered cohesive soils by the methods of equivalent internal friction angle and self weight stress. The calculations were also compared with the measured data of a project. The results show that the earth pressure and frictional resistance decrease while internal friction angle increases, and increase while external friction angle increases. Sliding plane angle increases while external friction angle increases, decreases initially and then increases while internal friction angle increases. The theoretically deduced earth pressure between active earth pressure and earth pressure at rest is close to the measured earth pressure. In the actual projects, side wall frictional resistance can be considered unchanged below the depth of 12 m.