FEM ANALYSIS OF ANCHORED SHEET PILE QUAY WALL: A CASE STUDY ON THE FAILURE OF WQ-7 BERTH OF VISAKHAPATNAM PORT

Abstract

In this paper anchored sheet pile wall is analyzed by Finite Element method (FEM) and SAP2000 is used for the analysis. This method uses soil spring models for soil structure interaction(SSI) and sheet pile is modeled as beam element and the embedded part of the pile as a beam on Winkler foundation. The method is validated with the examples available in literature. The method is used for the case study of the failure of WQ-7 berth of Visakhapatnam Port which failed immediately after construction during post 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Seismic and non-seismic loading conditions are considered in the analysis along with the effect of liquefaction. In the investigation during the analysis it is found that the failure of the structures is not due to liquefaction rather may be due to basal heave failure on account of inadequate pile penetration and mud flow, which needs further investigation.