Parameters determining the

waterthightness of joints in secant

bored pile walls

Presenter: Wolfgang Harttig (FA GBT)

hwo 28.4.2005 Seite 1

Parameters determining the
waterthightness of joints

1. Excavation stages and pressure differences (structural analysis)

Mainly hydrostatic pressure differences result in movements of
the pile wall and opening of joints.
Head-beams and / or distributor-beams will reduce differential
movements.
Exposed
side / Retained side Retained side
Excavation
Exposed
side / Pre-
excavation

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Parameters determining the
waterthightness of joints

2. Loading on the retained side (different height of hydrostatic

pressure) will increase the tendency to leaking joints
The static system (pile diameter, reinforcement, beams) is to be
chosen accordingly.
Exposed Exposed
side / Retained side / Retained
Excavation side Excavation side

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Parameters determining the
waterthightness of joints

3. Overlap
Example: a secant pile wall with a diameter D = 1200 (1180) mm
and pile spacing A = 1000 mm has an overlap Ü = D - A = 20 cm
Sound overlap reduces leaking joints.

Pile Spacing A

Joint length Diameter D

approx. 70 cm

Overlap Ü

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 Parameters determining the
waterthightness of joints
3. (continued)
Arrangement of carbide blocks of alternating sizes
At least 3 to 4 carbide blocks of alternating sizes (a = 18.5 cm; B = 6.0 cm)
will be located in a joint approx. 70 cm in length.
Static withdrawal of the casing - at least for the visible part + ~ 1 m of the
pile wall will reduce leaking joints.

Joint
length
approx.
70cm

Ove
rlap

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 Parameters determining the
waterthightness of joints
4. Diameter of bored pile wall
Stiffness (diameter), roundness (geometry) and alignment (joined drill
casings) of casings are important for a sufficiently watertight pile wall.
Check casings before and during the pile wall production.
Check drilling-tools before and during the pile wall production.

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Parameters determining the
waterthightness of joints

5. Verticality (length of piles)

Example 1: Example 2:
0.5% = 0.5 cm/m; 1.0% = 1.0 cm/m;
Pile length 15.0 m Pile length 15.0 m

-> Deviation 7.5 cm -> Deviation 15.0 cm

Deviation
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 Parameters determining the
waterthightness of joints
6. Soil deposits in the joints
Cohesive soils, in particular, are prone to soil being deposited in the
joints which can subsequently result in leaks depending on the degree
of drying out and differential hydrostatic pressure.
Static withdrawal of the casing - at least for the visible part + ~ 1 m of the
pile wall will reduce leaking joints.

Earth pressure side

Exposed side Water seepage

leaking non leaking
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 Parameters determining the
waterthightness of joints
7. Pile arrangements and
construction sequences in
corner of secant pile wall - A
see also UHB instruction
7.5.2.160

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Parameters determining the
waterthightness of joints

7. (continued)
Pile construction sequences - A
see also UHB Instruction 7.5.2.160

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