MSheet Manual 7.1

MSheet Version 7
Design of Diaphragm and Sheet Pile Walls
Edited by:
M.A.T Visschedijk, GeoDelft, the Netherlands
With the co-operation of:
A.G. Berry
H. Best
P.J.W. Brand
H.R. Havinga
V. Trompille
GeoDelft, Delft, the Netherlands, 2005

Trademark
Copyright MSheet Version 7:
GeoDelft, Stieltjesweg 2, 2628 CK Delft, Netherlands
E-mail: info@geodelft.nl; Internetsite: http://www.geodelft.nl
This manual may not be reproduced, in whole or in part,

by photo-copy or print or any other means, without written permission from GeoDelft
ISBN-13: 978-90-810136-1-0
ISBN-10: 90-810136-1-0
© 2005 GeoDelft
Printed in the Netherlands
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 15
1 GENERAL INFORMATION 17
1.1 Preface ..........................................................................................................17
1.2 Features in standard module ............................................................................17
1.2.1 Sheet Piling ........................................................................................18
1.2.2 Anchors and Struts ..............................................................................18
1.2.3 Soil ....................................................................................................19
1.2.4 Loads and Supports..............................................................................19
1.2.5 Staged Construction.............................................................................20
1.2.6 Design Procedures................................................................................20
1.2.7 Results ...............................................................................................20
1.3 Features in additional modules.........................................................................21
1.3.1 “C, phi, delta” (Culmann) module ..........................................................21
1.3.2 Verification module..............................................................................21
1.3.3 Single pile module ...............................................................................21
1.3.4 E-Consult module.................................................................................22
1.4 History ..........................................................................................................22
1.5 Limitations ....................................................................................................23
1.6 Minimum System Requirements ........................................................................23
1.7 Definitions and Symbols ..................................................................................24
1.8 Getting Help ..................................................................................................25
1.9 Getting Support..............................................................................................26
1.10 GeoDelft ........................................................................................................27
1.11 Delft GeoSystems ............................................................................................27
1.12 Rijkswaterstaat...............................................................................................27
2 GETTING STARTED 29
2.1 Starting MSheet..............................................................................................29
2.2 Main Window..................................................................................................30
2.3 The menu bar .................................................................................................30
2.4 The icon bar ...................................................................................................32
2.5 Input Diagram ................................................................................................32
2.6 Stage Composer ..............................................................................................34
2.7 Files ..............................................................................................................36
6 MSHEET USER MANUAL
TUTORIAL 37
3 TUTORIAL 1: EXCAVATION USING KA, KO AND KP 39

3.1 Introduction to the case ..................................................................................40
3.2 Project...........................................................................................................41
3.2.1 Model.................................................................................................41
3.3 Construction ..................................................................................................42
3.4 Soil ...............................................................................................................43
3.4.1 Surfaces..............................................................................................43
3.4.2 Soil Layers ..........................................................................................46
3.4.2 Soil Profiles.........................................................................................49
3.4.3 Water Levels .......................................................................................50
3.4.4 Water Properties..................................................................................51
3.5 Loads & Supports ............................................................................................52
3.6 Stages ...........................................................................................................52
3.7 Calculation.....................................................................................................52
3.7.1 Calculation Options..............................................................................52
3.7.2 Start Calculation..................................................................................53
3.8 Results ..........................................................................................................54
3.8.1 Moment/Force/Displacement Charts ......................................................54
3.8.2 Stress State Charts...............................................................................55
3.8.3 Stress Diagrams ...................................................................................56
3.9 Conclusion .....................................................................................................56
4 TUTORIAL 2: EXCAVATION USING C, PHI, DELTA 57

4.2 Changing the Model ........................................................................................58
4.3 Non-horizontal surface ....................................................................................60
4.3.1 Input for vertical balance check ............................................................61
4.4 Calculation.....................................................................................................62
4.5 Results ..........................................................................................................63
4.5.1 Moment/Force/Displacement Charts ......................................................63
4.5.2 Report Selection ..................................................................................63
4.5.3 Report................................................................................................64
4.6 Conclusion .....................................................................................................65
5 TUTORIAL 3: STAGED EXCAVATION WITH PRE-STRESSED ANCHORS 67

5.2 Surfaces.........................................................................................................69
5.3 Water Levels...................................................................................................70
5.4 Anchors .........................................................................................................70
5.5 Staged Construction ........................................................................................71
TABLE OF CONTENTS 7
5.5.1 Stages Manager ...................................................................................71

5.5.2 Stages Overview ..................................................................................72
5.6 Calculation and Results ...................................................................................73
5.7 Conclusion .....................................................................................................75
6 TUTORIAL 4: APPLYING LOADS 77

6.2 Inputting Surcharge Loads and Horizontal Line Loads .........................................78
6.3 Using Surcharge Loads.....................................................................................80
6.4 Results ..........................................................................................................81
6.5 Conclusion .....................................................................................................81
7 TUTORIAL 5: DESIGN OF REQUIRED SHEET PILING LENGTH 83

7.2 Design Sheet Piling Length ..............................................................................84
7.3 Conclusion .....................................................................................................86
8 TUTORIAL 6: SUBMERGED CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE FLOOR 87

8.2 Modeling an underwater concrete floor .............................................................90
8.3 General input .................................................................................................91
8.3.1 Soil Layers ..........................................................................................91
8.3.2 Soil Profiles.........................................................................................92
8.3.3 Water Levels .......................................................................................94
8.3.4 Uniform Loads.....................................................................................94
8.3.5 Anchors..............................................................................................94
8.4 Stages implementation ....................................................................................94
8.5 Calculation and results ....................................................................................95
8.6 Conclusion .....................................................................................................96
9 TUTORIAL 7: DESIGN CODE CHECKING (CUR 166, METHOD I) 97

9.2 Modify Model .................................................................................................99
9.3 Determine the minimum length (Steps 5 and 6 of the CUR 166 design procedure) 100
9.4 Verify the modified sheet piling length (Steps 9, 9.7, 10, 11.1 and 11.3 of the
CUR 166 design procedure) ............................................................................ 102
9.4.1 Verification calculation ...................................................................... 102
9.4.2 Verification Report ............................................................................ 103
9.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 105
10 TUTORIAL 8: DESIGN CODE CHECKING (CUR 166, METHOD II) 107

10.1 Introduction to the case ................................................................................ 108
10.2 Verification of the sheet piling, Method II ....................................................... 108
10.3 Verification Report........................................................................................ 110
10.4 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 110
11 TUTORIAL 9: VERIFY ANCHOR STABILITY (KRANZ METHOD) 111

11.2 Allowable anchor force .................................................................................. 112
11.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 114
12 TUTORIAL 10: MODELLING OF COMBI-WALLS 115

12.2 General input ............................................................................................... 117
12.3 Combined Wall.............................................................................................. 118
12.4 Modified soil reaction along pile ..................................................................... 119
12.4.1 Using the Ka, Ko, Kp - model .............................................................. 119
12.4.2 Results using the Ka, Ko, Kp - model ................................................... 120
12.4.3 Using the c, phi, delta model (Culmann) .............................................. 121
12.4.4 Results using the c, phi, delta model (Culmann) ................................... 123
12.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 123
13 TUTORIAL 11: NON-HYDROSTATIC PORE PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION 125

13.2 Additional pore pressure................................................................................ 127
13.3 General input ............................................................................................... 128
13.4 Water pressure results ................................................................................... 130
13.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 132
14 TUTORIAL 12: MODELLING OF LOADS WITH LIMITED DIMENSIONS 133

14.2 General input ............................................................................................... 135
14.3 Modeling of load with limited size parallel to the sheet piling ........................... 135
14.4 Results ........................................................................................................ 137
14.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 137
15 TUTORIAL 13: PREVENTING PILE DRIVING FAILURE USING EXPERIENCE DATA 139
15.2 E-Consult NVAF Experience lines..................................................................... 140
TABLE OF CONTENTS 9
15.3 E-Consult Experiences.................................................................................... 141

15.4 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 142
16 TUTORIAL 14: HORIZONTALLY LOADED PILE (MOORING POST) 143

16.2 Pile loaded by forces ..................................................................................... 144
16.3 Soil and Loads input ..................................................................................... 146
16.4 Results ........................................................................................................ 147
16.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 148
17 TUTORIAL 15: HORIZONTAL PILE DEFORMATION CAUSED BY EMBANKMENT 149

17.2 Pile loaded by soil displacements .................................................................... 151
17.3 Soil input..................................................................................................... 151
17.4 Soil Displacements ........................................................................................ 152
17.5 Rigid Support ............................................................................................... 153
17.6 Results ........................................................................................................ 153
17.7 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 154
REFERENCE 155
18 GENERAL 157
18.1 File menu..................................................................................................... 157
18.2 Tools Options menu....................................................................................... 158
18.2.1 View................................................................................................. 158
18.2.2 General............................................................................................. 158
18.2.3 Directories ........................................................................................ 159
18.2.4 Language.......................................................................................... 160
18.2.5 Modules............................................................................................ 160
19 INPUT 161
19.1 Project menu................................................................................................ 161
19.1.1 Model............................................................................................... 161
19.1.2 Default Partial Factors........................................................................ 162
19.1.3 Project Properties .............................................................................. 163
19.1.4 View Input File.................................................................................. 166
19.2 Construction menu........................................................................................ 167
19.2.1 Regular sheet piling........................................................................... 167
19.2.2 Regular sheet piling (in the case of a vertical balance check) ................. 168
19.2.3 Combined wall wizard......................................................................... 169
19.2.4 Construction menu – Profiles library .................................................... 170

19.2.5 Construction menu for single piles....................................................... 172
19.3 Soil menu .................................................................................................... 173
19.3.1 Surfaces............................................................................................ 173
19.3.2 Soil Layers for retaining walls ............................................................. 174
19.3.3 Soil Layers for single piles .................................................................. 179
19.3.4 Soil Profiles....................................................................................... 182
19.3.5 Water Levels ..................................................................................... 183
19.3.6 Water Properties................................................................................ 184
19.4 Loads menu.................................................................................................. 184
19.4.1 Uniform loads for retaining walls......................................................... 184
19.4.2 Surcharges for retaining walls ............................................................. 185
19.4.3 Horizontal line loads for retaining walls and single piles........................ 186
19.4.4 Moments for retaining walls and single piles......................................... 187
19.4.5 Normal forces for retaining walls and single piles .................................. 188
19.4.6 Soil displacements for single piles ....................................................... 189
19.5 Supports menu ............................................................................................. 190
19.5.1 Anchors for retaining walls................................................................. 190
19.5.2 Struts for retaining walls.................................................................... 192
19.5.3 Spring supports for retaining walls and single piles ............................... 193
19.5.4 Rigid supports for retaining walls and single piles ................................. 194
19.6 Stages menu................................................................................................. 194
19.6.1 Stages Manager ................................................................................. 194
19.6.2 Stages Overview for retaining walls...................................................... 195
19.6.3 Stage Overview for single piles ............................................................ 197
20 CALCULATIONS 199
20.1 Calculation Options for retaining walls ............................................................ 199
20.2 Start Calculation for retaining walls ................................................................ 200
20.3 Start Calculation for single piles ..................................................................... 201
20.4 Design Sheet Piling Length ............................................................................ 202
20.5 Verify Sheet Piling ........................................................................................ 203
20.6 Allowable Anchor Force ................................................................................. 206
20.7 Overall Stability............................................................................................ 208
21 VIEW RESULTS 211

21.1 Report Selection ........................................................................................... 211
21.2 Report ......................................................................................................... 212
21.3 Verification Report........................................................................................ 214
21.4 Moments, Forces and Displacements................................................................ 215
21.5 Verification Moments, Forces and Displacements .............................................. 216
21.6 Stress State Charts ........................................................................................ 217
21.7 Stress Diagrams ............................................................................................ 218
TABLE OF CONTENTS 11
22 E-CONSULT MODULE 221

22.1 NVAF lines ................................................................................................... 221
22.2 Experiences .................................................................................................. 223
BACKGROUND 227
23 GOVERNING EQUATION 229
24 LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE RATIO 231

24.1 Initial Stress................................................................................................. 232
24.2 Culmann ...................................................................................................... 232
24.3 Müller-Breslau (straight slip surface)............................................................... 233
24.4 Kötter (Curved Slip Surfaces).......................................................................... 234
24.5 Surcharge according to Boussinesq.................................................................. 234
25 SOIL STRENGTH AND STIFFNESS 237

25.1 Strength ...................................................................................................... 237
25.2 Stiffness ...................................................................................................... 238
25.3 Construction Stages ...................................................................................... 239
26 ALLOWABLE ANCHOR FORCE 241

26.1 Short anchorage ........................................................................................... 241
26.2 Long anchor ................................................................................................. 242
27 OVERALL STABILITY 245
28 VERTICAL FORCE BALANCE 247
29 THE CUR 166 STEP-BY-STEP DESIGN PROCEDURE 251

29.1 Semi-probabilistic approach ........................................................................... 251
29.2 Partial Factors: one stage or all stages............................................................. 252
29.3 Support of the CUR 166 step-by-step procedure by MSheet ................................ 253
30 INITIAL STAGE 259
31 ANALYSIS OF SINGLE PILES 263

31.1 Loading by soil deformations ......................................................................... 263
31.2 Loading by forces and moments ..................................................................... 264
31.2.1 Brinch-Hansen .................................................................................. 264
31.2.2 Ménard............................................................................................. 265
32 SPECIAL CASES 267

32.1 Combination with piles.................................................................................. 267
32.1.1 Acting width..................................................................................... 267
32.1.2 Modified soil reaction......................................................................... 268
32.2 Surcharge with limited size parallel to the sheet piling ..................................... 269
32.2.1 Simple load (constant dimensions in both directions) ............................ 269
32.2.2 Complex load .................................................................................... 270
32.3 Modeling concrete under water ...................................................................... 271
32.4 Difference in pressure heads on both sides of the sheet pile wall ....................... 271
VERIFICATION 275
33 BENCHMARKS WITH AN EXACT SOLUTION 277

33.1 Load on beam on elastic foundation................................................................ 278
33.2 Beam with a prescribed displacement .............................................................. 280
33.3 Beam on two supports, loaded by moment....................................................... 282
33.4 Beam with distributed non-uniform load ......................................................... 284
33.5 Beam loaded by tangent and normal forces...................................................... 286
33.6 Beam/wall with soil displacement................................................................... 287
33.7 Load on beam/wall on elastic foundation, in stratified soil................................ 288
33.8 Anchor wall stability for a short anchorage in homogeneous soil........................ 290
33.9 Anchor wall stability for a long anchorage in homogeneous soil......................... 292
33.10 Calculation of the K-ratios for a straight slip surface......................................... 294
33.11 Calculation of the K-ratios for a curved slip surface .......................................... 294
33.12 Comparison of secant and tangent modulus of subgrade reaction ....................... 295
33.13 Displacement using several branches in the stress-displacement diagram ............ 297
33.14 Displacement during unloading/reloading steps ............................................... 300
33.15 Anchor force and displacement ...................................................................... 302
33.16 Pre-stressed anchor....................................................................................... 303
33.17 Strut force and displacement ......................................................................... 303
33.18 Pre-stressed strut.......................................................................................... 304
33.19 Single pile loaded by horizontal force – Modulus of subgrade reaction (Ménard) .. 304
TABLE OF CONTENTS 13
33.20 Single pile loaded by horizontal force – Earth pressures (Brinch-Hansen) ............ 306
33.21 Flexural stiffness of a combined wall............................................................... 308
34 BENCHMARKS FROM LITERATURE 311

34.1 Horizontal load due to different level of water table......................................... 311
34.2 Fundamental solution according to Culmann.................................................... 312
35 BENCHMARKS: SPECIAL APPLICATIONS 315

35.1 Comparing the c, ϕ, δ and Ka, K0, Kp methods: uniform load on lower side........... 315
35.2 Comparing the c, ϕ, δ and Ka, K0, Kp methods: uniform load on higher side ......... 316
35.3 Compare load distance to sheet pile: load of 25 kN/m² on high side ................... 317
35.4 Influence of soil against sheet pile wall for an excavation ................................. 318
35.5 Equilibrium of initially unequal surfaces and surcharges.................................... 319
35.6 Additional horizontal pressure due to a uniform load........................................ 321
35.7 Additional horizontal pressure due to a surcharge load ..................................... 322
35.8 Non-horizontal surface .................................................................................. 324
35.9 Symmetry (left and right side) ....................................................................... 325
35.10 Effect of the acting width .............................................................................. 325
35.11 Vertical force balance .................................................................................... 327
35.12 Horizontal pressures in stratified soil with additional pore pressures .................. 329
35.13 Functioning of classes in option Verify Sheet Piling (Method II)......................... 330
35.14 Functioning of classes in option Verify Sheet Piling (Method I).......................... 339
35.15 Functioning of classes in Design Sheet Piling Length ........................................ 343
36 BENCHMARKS COMPARED WITH OTHER PROGRAMS 347

36.1 Functioning of classes in option “Overall Stability”........................................... 347
LITERATURE 351
INDEX 353
Introduction
Tutorial
Reference
Background
Verification
1
1 General Information
1.1 Preface
MSheet is a tool used to design sheet pile and diaphragm walls and horizontally loaded
piles. MSheet’s graphical interactive interface requires just a short training period,
allowing the user to focus their skills directly on the input of sound geotechnical data
and the subsequent design of the wall or single pile. MSheet comes as a standard
module that can be extended with other modules to fit more advanced applications:
• “C, phi, delta” (Culmann) module
• Verification module
• Single Piles module
• E-Consult module
1.2 Features in standard module
This section contains an overview of the features available in MSheet for the design of
diaphragm and sheet pile walls. For more information on these topics, see the
Reference Section and the Background Section of this manual. A number of these
options are indicated in Figure 1-1.
Surcharge
Arbitrary Soil
Profiles
Excess Pore
Anchors Pressure
Struts
forces
Moments
Staged
Constructions
Figure 1-1 – MSheet Options
1.2.1 Sheet Piling
MSheet models the sheet piling as an elastic beam on a foundation of uncoupled elastic
springs (representing the soil).
• Stiffness. Uniform or variable values can be used for the elastic bending stiffness
and normal stiffness along the beam axis. A library is available for quick selection
of standard and user-defined sheet piling profiles. A special combined wall wizard
calculates the relevant values for walls made from a combination of sheet piling
and piles.
• Geometrical Non-linear. A compressive normal force will introduce additional
bending. The user can introduce normal forces and MSheet will calculate the
additional moments and displacements that follow from the inputted normal
force.
1.2.2 Anchors and Struts
MSheet models both anchors and struts using discrete springs.
tensile stress
limited capacity
pre- stress
zero pressure
condition tensile strain
Figure 1-2 – Stress-Strain Relationship for Anchors
• Anchors. Anchors are characterized by arbitrary direction, elastic normal stiffness,

zero pressure condition and limited capacity due to yielding or soil resistance
(Figure 1-2). Pre-tensioning of anchors is optional.
• Struts. Struts are characterized by elastic normal stiffness, zero tension condition
and buckling force. Pre-compression of struts is optional.
INTRODUCTION 19
1.2.3 Soil
Horizontal soil layers can be defined, optionally in combination with a non-horizontal

ground level. MSheet models the stiffness of the soil as a series of discrete,
independently acting, multi-linear springs, forming an elastic foundation for a beam
(which is used to model the wall).
horizontal effective stress
virgin
loading
passive yield
un- re-
active yield
loading loading
relative displacement
Figure 1-3 – Soil Stress versus Displacement
• Physical Non-linear. MSheet makes use of multi-linear relationships between

horizontal stress and displacement, with different values for active and passive
yielding. MSheet can determine these yield values from the well-established slip
surface theories of Culmann, Kötter or Müller-Breslau.
• Elasto-Plastic. MSheet can accommodate the soil stiffness for the virgin loading
state and the unloading/reloading state.
• Initial Stress. MSheet derives the initial horizontal stress from the approximate
initial vertical stress using Jáky’s equation for the lateral stress ratio K0. MSheet
calculates additional stresses due to surcharge or a non-horizontal ground surface
based on Boussinesq’s stress distribution theory.
For detailed information see [chapter 24] and [chapter 25].
1.2.4 Loads and Supports
MSheet provides the following options for defining loads and supports:
• Pore Fluid. Hydrostatic pore fluid pressure from the input of a phreatic surface
position on either side of the wall. Additional pore pressures can also be specified,
varying linearly within the relevant layers. See Figure 1-4, below.
hydrostatic pore excess pore pressure

pressure
Figure 1-4 – Hydrostatic pressure with additional pore pressures (in excess)
• Construction. Excavation or elevation of soil (see staged construction).

• Surcharge. Discrete or infinitely extending surcharge at ground level. The
surcharge load can be specified as uniform or varying multi-linearly.
• Forces. Line loads or distributed force loads, directed perpendicularly to the sheet
pile wall. Variable normal force along the beam axis.
• Moments. Discrete bending moments directed out-of-plane.
• Supports. Rigid supports or springs for displacement and rotation. The horizontal
displacement at the top of the sheet piling can also be defined.
1.2.5 Staged Construction
Construction sequences can be modeled using a step-by-step (phased) analysis. This

means that soil, loads, supports, anchors and struts can be added or removed, and the
water table changed, for each stage.
1.2.6 Design Procedures
• Length optimization. MSheet can determine the critical length of the sheet piling
by reducing the length step-by-step until instability occurs or an admissible
displacement is exceeded.
• Anchor Force. MSheet checks whether the available soil resistance is sufficient for
the anchor force, using a slip surface theory according to Kranz [Lit 4].
1.2.7 Results
MSheet can display a report with graphs and tables of displacements, bending
moments, shear forces, pore pressures and soil stresses along the beam axis. `
INTRODUCTION 21
1.3 Features in additional modules
1.3.1 “C, phi, delta” (Culmann) module
As an alternative to the Ka, Ko, Kp method, the active and passive earth pressure
coefficients can be determined using the c, phi, delta method based on Culmann’s
formulas [§ 24.2]. This method can be used in combination with non-horizontal soil
surfaces and surcharge loads, unlike the Ka, Ko, Kp method.
1.3.2 Verification module
• Safety. MSheet verifies the sheet piling, according to CUR publication 166 [chapter
29] for a selected stage by applying certain partial safety factors.
• Overall Stability. MSheet verifies a sheet piling against loss of overall stability by
means of a Bishop calculation, according to CUR publication 166.
Two different methods for verification calculation are implemented: one using the
partial factors prescribed by CUR 166 in all construction stages and the second using
them only for a selected stage.
A verification report containing all results according to the CUR 166 design procedure
is also available.
1.3.3 Single pile module
• Along the pile, several cross-sections with different widths and stiffness can be
specified.
• The connection of the pile to a foundation can be modeled by defining a fixed
support or a spring support at a certain level. For the support conditions a
distinction is made between translation and rotation.
• Several soil layers can be defined, divided by horizontal layer boundaries. Soil
properties are input for each layer. The bottom soil layer is assumed to be
infinitely thick.
• The surface level on both sides of the pile must be identical and horizontal.
• The water level determines the hydrostatic water pressure. Additional pore
pressures can also be introduced, varying linearly across each soil layer.
• Externally calculated undisturbed soil displacements can be imposed on the pile.
MSheet can also calculate the influence of discrete bending moments and/or
horizontal and normal forces on the pile.
• The subgrade reaction is put to a minimum (active) and maximum (passive)
pressure on the pile by definition of earth pressure coefficients. Between these
extreme values, MSheet will apply a linear relation between the stress and the
displacement, as defined by a modulus of subgrade reaction. For imposed
displacements, the modulus of subgrade reaction may be calculated using the
Brinch-Hansen method. The earth pressure coefficients are direct input. For
loading by forces and moments, MSheet can also determine the modulus and
coefficients from the theory of respectively Brinch-Hansen [Lit 17] and Ménard
[Lit 8].
1.3.4 E-Consult module
The E-Consult module enables users to compare their MSheet sheet pile wall design
against relevant execution experience data and Dutch NVAF lines. This may help to
reduce failure costs during pile driving/vibrating. Without license this module works in
Demo mode. Currently the experiences are mainly from Dutch locations, therefore their
relevancy to other locations in the world may be limited.
1.4 History
• Release 1.0 (1990) was based directly on MSheet’s forerunner DAMWAND/3, which
analyzed the construction of vertical sheet piling with horizontal ground surfaces.
• Release 2.0 (1992) implemented options for non-horizontal ground surfaces and
non-uniform loads (surcharges).
• Release 3.0 (1995) featured a new option for normal forces in the sheet pile wall
and also implemented a new multi-linear stress-displacement relation for the soil.
• Release 4.0 (1997) featured specific design procedures, based on the CUR design
guide [Lit 5] for discovering the critical length and checking safety.
• Release 5.0 (1998) was the first Windows version of MSheet. The improved user
manual could now also be accessed using the online Help function.
• Release 5.4 (2001) featured the following new options: overall soil stability
analysis (Bishop), a sheet piling library, extended support of CUR 166, and a
report on the vertical force balance. Improvements to the user interface included
user-friendly graphical input and the Stages Overview dialog.
• Release 5.7 (2002) featured a new option for a first stage with initially non-
horizontal surfaces or initial surcharges. The release also included modules for
separately licensed models. The new initial stage option necessitated a refinement
of the soil yield stress calculation, even when the option was not selected.
Therefore results from release 5.7 were different to the results of previous
releases.
• Release 6.1 (2004) featured a new single pile module, which supports the analysis
of horizontally loaded piles. The release also included a wizard for convenient
input of combined walls. The report content could now be selected, with reports
bearing graphs, and improved layout of tabular results. Reports could now be
exported in different formats, including pdf and rtf and graphical and report
output for the CUR 166 “verify sheet piling” option was implemented and. The
refined soil yield stress calculation was made optional when the initial stage
option was not selected. The default, faster, coarse method therefore yields
results that are the same as the results of releases prior to release 5.7.
INTRODUCTION 23
• Version 6.2 (2005) featured the new E-Consult module that enables users to
check their MSheet design for sheet pile walls against relevant execution
experience data. This may help to reduce failure costs during pile
driving/vibrating. Without license this module works in Demo mode. Currently the
experiences are mainly from Dutch locations, therefore their relevancy to other
locations in the world may be limited.
• Release 7 (2005) includes the ability to perform a vertical balance check on the
sheet pile wall. It is now possible to specify partial factors, allowing MSheet to be
used with the Eurocode model. The updated CUR 166 procedure (2005) [Lit 16] is
fully integrated in this MSheet version.
1.5 Limitations
When working with MSheet, the following limitations apply:

• Vertical elastic piling.
• Horizontal soil layers.
• Only diaphragm wall, sheet pile walls and single piles can be analyzed with
MSheet. To analyze pile groups, use the MPile program from Delft GeoSystems.
1.6 Minimum System Requirements
The following minimum system requirements are needed in order to run and install the
MSheet software, either from CD or by downloading from the Delft GeoSystems website
via MS Internet Explorer:
• Windows NT 4.0 (Service pack 6), Windows 2000 or Windows XP
• PC with Pentium 266 MHz processor
• 256 MB of RAM
• 400MB free hard disk space
• SVGA videocard, 1024 x 768 pixels, 256 colors
• CD-ROM drive
• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6.0 or newer
• For use of the E-Consult module an Internet connections is needed
1.7 Definitions and Symbols
σH Horizontal soil stress (positive in compression)

σV Vertical soil stress (positive in compression)
p, σw Pore water pressure
σ' Effective soil stress (positive in compression)
σ'h Effective horizontal soil stress (positive in compression)
σ'v Effective vertical soil stress (positive in compression)
K, λ Lateral earth pressure ratio: the ratio between the horizontal and vertical
σh
stress K = λ =
σv
C Cohesion
φ The (Coulomb) friction angle of the soil (phi)
Φ Rotation of the sheet piling
δ The (Coulomb) friction angle between the soil and sheet piling (delta)
K0 Lateral earth pressure ratio at initial stress state (rest) for a horizontal
ground level K 0 = 1 − sin φ
Ka Lateral earth pressure ratio at active yielding (extension of soil)
KP Lateral earth pressure ratio at passive yielding (compression of soil)
E Young’s Modulus
I Moment of Inertia
k, kb Modulus of subgrade reaction; stiffness of the soil bedding
K Permeability
k0 Modulus of subgrade reaction for the unloading/reloading state
k1 , Descending values of the Modulus of subgrade reaction during virgin
k2…. loading
w Displacement
W Resisting moment
X Co-ordinate along the axis of the sheet piling
B Acting width of the sheet piling
Fv Resulting vertical force
Fmax Vertical force capacity
ξ Factor on the cone resistance
γm,b Partial material factor
qc Representative cone resistance
Pr;max;point Maximum point resistance
Asteel Cross-sectional area of sheet piling per running meter.
INTRODUCTION 25
1.8 Getting Help
From the Help menu, choose the MSheet Help option, or press F1 for Help about the
window which is currently active.
Figure 1-5 – MSheet Help window
In the window displayed (Figure 1-5), there are a three ways (corresponding to three
tabs) to find a Help topic:
Contents Click this button tab in the Help window for an overview
of the Table of Contents.
Searching by Click this button to search for Help topics on the basis
word of a specific word. MSheet will find the corresponding
Help topic from the list of the Index section (see at the
end of the document).
Searching by Click this button to search for Help topics on the basis
word of specific words. MSheet will find several corresponding
(advanced) Help topic that use those words in their description.
List Topics In the Search tab, click this button to display a list of
the Help topics generated on the basis of the specific
word given.
Display When a Help topic is selected, click this button to
display its content.
Hide/Show Click this button to alternatively hide or show the
searching tabs Content, Index and Search.
Back Click this button to go back to the previous selected

Help topic.
Print Click this button to print the contents of the window.
Options Click this button to display the menu below (Figure

1-6).
Figure 1-6 – Menu from the Options button of the MSheet Help window
Hide/Show Tabs Select this option to alternatively hide or show the searching
tabs Content, Index and Search.
Back Select this option to go back to the previous selected Help
topic.
Forward Select this option to go forward to the preceding selected Help
topic.
Home Select this option to go to the default internet home page.
Stop Select this option to stop searching.
Refresh Select this option to refresh the content of the window.
Internet Options Select this option to open the Internet Options window.
Print Select this option to print the contents of the window
Search Highlight Select this option to choose whether to highlight the search
On/Off words wherever they appear in the displayed text.
To display and print the Help texts properly, the Symbol TrueType font must be
installed.
1.9 Getting Support
If problems are encountered, the first step should be to consult the online Help and
the frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) at http://www.delftgeosystems.nl. If the
solution cannot be found there, then the problem description can be e-mailed
(preferred) or faxed to GeoDelft’s support team. When sending a problem description,
please add a full description of the working environment. To do this conveniently,
choose the Support option in the Help menu. The System Info tab contains all relevant
information about the system and the MSheet software. The Problem Description tab
enables a description of the problem encountered to be added. The problem report can
INTRODUCTION 27
either be saved to a file or sent to a printer or PC fax. The document can be emailed to
support@geodelft.nl or alternatively faxed to +31 (0)15 2610821.
1.10 GeoDelft
GeoDelft was established in 1934 and is one of the world’s most renowned institutes for
geotechnical and environmental research. GeoDelft continuously applies its growing
knowledge – through consultancy, measurements and predictions – to projects that are
often very challenging. GeoDelft actively stimulates the dissemination and utilization
of its knowledge. For more information on GeoDelft, visit the GeoDelft website:
http://www.geodelft.nl.
1.11 Delft GeoSystems
Delft GeoSystems was founded by GeoDelft in 2002. The company’s objective is to

convert GeoDelft’s knowledge into practical geo-engineering services and software.
Delft GeoSystems has developed a suite of software for geotechnical engineering.
Besides software, Delft GeoSystems is involved in providing services such as hosting on-
line monitoring platforms, hosting on-line delivery of site investigation, laboratory test
results, etc. As part of this process Delft GeoSystems is progressively connecting these
services to their software. This allows for more standardized use of information, and
the interpretation and comparison of results. Most software is used as design software,
following design standards. This however, does not guarantee a design that can be
executed successfully in practice, so automated back-analyses using monitoring
information are an important aspect in improving geotechnical engineering results. The
E-Consult module for MSheet confronts users with experience data for vibrational sheet
pile wall installation in practice. E-Consult modules, such as the one used with MSheet,
are the result of GeoDelft’s R&D for GeoBrain. GeoBrain’s objective is to combine
experience, expertise and numerical results into one forecast, using Artificial
Intelligence, Neural Networks and Bayesian Belief Networks. For more information
about Delft GeoSystems’ geotechnical software, including download options, visit
http://www.delftgeosystems.nl.
1.12 Rijkswaterstaat
Rijkswaterstaat (RWS) is part of the Dutch Ministry for Traffic, Public Works and Water
Management. RWS’s tasks include the regulation, construction, management and
maintenance of public works. By supporting the development of MSheet, RWS is
facilitating the uniform and reliable design of sheet pile walls. For more information on
RWS, visit http://www.minvenw.nl.
2
2 Getting Started
This Getting Started section aims to familiarize the user with the structure and user
interface of MSheet. The Tutorial section which follows uses a selection of case studies
to introduce the program’s functions.
2.1 Starting MSheet
To start MSheet, click Start on the Windows menu bar and then find it under Programs,
or double-click an MSheet input file that was generated during a previous session.
For an MSheet installation based on floating licenses, the Modules window may appear
at startup [§ 18.2.5]. Check that the correct modules are selected and click OK.
When MSheet is started from the Windows menu bar, the last project that was worked
on will open automatically, unless the program has been configured otherwise under
Tools: Program Options.
2.2 Main Window
When MSheet is started, the main window is displayed.
Figure 2-1 – MSheet main window
2.3 The menu bar
To access the MSheet menus, click the menu names on the menu bar.
Figure 2-2 – MSheet menu bar

INTRODUCTION 31
The menus contain the following functions:

File Standard Windows options for opening and saving files as well
as several MSheet options for exporting and printing active
windows and reports.
Project Options for selecting the project model, defining partial factors
and properties, and viewing the input file.
Construction Options for defining the sheet pile/diaphragm wall, or single
pile.
Soil Options for defining ground surfaces, the properties and profiles
of the soil layers, water levels and water properties.
Loads Options for defining distributed surcharge, forces, moments and
prescribed soil displacements.
Supports Options for defining anchors, struts, rigid supports and springs.
Stages Options for defining construction stages (for sheet pile walls)
and viewing/defining the applied loads, supports and water
levels for each stage.
Calculation Analysis of the following, based on input values: resulting
moments, forces, displacements and stresses, stability analysis
with decreasing length of sheet piling; determining design
values for the moment, anchor force and displacement
according to the CUR step-by-step design procedure; checking
anchor wall stability; checking overall stability.
Results Options for displaying and creating reports on moments,
displacements, shear forces, pore water pressures, effective
horizontal stress and total horizontal stress, in addition to the
results of verification and design calculations.
E-Consult Feasibility comparison of the project using NVAF lines or the
GeoBrain database of experiences.
Tools Options for editing MSheet program defaults and accessing the
piling library.
Window Default Windows options for arranging the MSheet windows and
choosing the active window.
Help Online Help options [§ 1.8].
Detailed descriptions of these menu options can be found in the Reference section.
2.4 The icon bar
Use the buttons on the icon bar to quickly access frequently used functions (see
below).
Figure 2-3 – MSheet icon bar
Click on the following buttons to activate the corresponding functions:

Start a new MSheet project.
Open the input file of an existing project.
Save the input file of the current project.
Print the contents of the currently active window.
Display a print preview of the current contents of the Input Diagram window.
Open the Project Properties window. Here the project title and other
identification data can be entered, and the Diagram Settings and Graph Settings
for the project can be determined.
Open the Stages Overview window. The contents of each construction stage can
be composed here by selecting or deselecting the loads and supports that are
available, choosing the computation method, entering water levels, and more.
Open the Sheet Piling or Pile window (depending on the model being used),
containing the properties of the sheet pile wall or single pile.
Start the main calculation.
Display the contents of online Help.
2.5 Input Diagram
The Input Diagram window graphically displays the input for a selected stage. In the
upper part of the window, select one of the stages defined previously. The selected
stage will also be used in the Stage Composer (see below). Use the plus button to copy
the selected stage to a new stage and use the arrow buttons to browse through the
stages. Double clicking in the window on items such as layers, supports and loads will
open the corresponding input windows.
INTRODUCTION 33
Figure 2-4 – Input Diagram window
Click on the following buttons in the Edit or Tools panel to activate the corresponding
functions:
Select and edit mode
In this mode, the left-hand mouse button can be used to select previously
defined supports, loads and layers in the Input Diagram. Items can then be
deleted or modified by dragging or resizing, or by clicking the right hand
mouse button and choosing an option from the menu displayed. Pressing the
Escape key will return the user to this select and edit mode.
Pan
Click this button to move the drawing by clicking and dragging the mouse.
Zoom in
Click this button to enlarge the drawing, then click on the drawing on the part
which is to be at the centre of the new image.
Zoom out
Click this button, then click on the drawing, to reduce the drawing.
Zoom area
Click this button to click and drag a rectangle over the area to be enlarged.
The selected area will be enlarged to fit the window.
Measure the distance between two points
Click this button, then click the first point on the Input Diagram window and
place the cross on the second point. The distance between the two points can
be read at the bottom of the Input View window. To turn this option off, click
the escape key.
Undo Zoom
Click this button to undo the zoom.
Zoom limits
Click this button to display the complete drawing.
Click this button to add an anchor
Click this button to add a strut
Click this button to add a uniform surface load
Click this button to add a non-uniform surface load
Click this button to add a horizontal line load
Click this button to add a moment load
Click this button to add a spring support to reduce horizontal displacement
Click this button to add a rigid support to prevent horizontal displacement
For more information, see [§ 19.3.4], [§ 19.4] and [§ 19.5].
2.6 Stage Composer
Use the Stage Composer to connect input data to the stage selected in the Input
Diagram window. The Stage Composer can also be used to access input windows.
Figure 2-5 – Stage Composer

INTRODUCTION 35
The Stage Composer is part of the main window, and consists of two separate boxes:
Upper Box: The upper box contains all of the input options. For loads and
supports, this box also indicates the number of defined loads or
supports applied in the selected stage, in relation to the total
number of loads defined.
Lower Box: The lower box displays an overview of the input that has been
defined. A checkmark indicates that the input data has been
linked to the selected stage.
Connect to Stages
When one of the input options is selected in the upper box (single click), an overview
of available input will appear in the lower box. To connect input to a particular stage,
select a stage in the Input Diagram window and use the checkboxes in the lower box to
select the input that applies to the selected stage.
NOTE: The Stages Overview window [§ 19.6.2] can also be used to connect input to
stages.
Opening Input windows

Double-click one of the input options in the upper box to display an input window in
which input data can be entered or adapted. The same menus are also available on the
menu bar.
Using the popup menu

Right-click anywhere in the lower box to open the popup menu. This menu presents
four options to quickly select or deselect checkboxes for the available stages.
Figure 2-6 – Popup menu
Select All Selects all loads or supports of the type selected in the
upper box for the current construction stage. This action
is equivalent to marking all the checkboxes one by one.
Deselect All Deselects all loads or supports of the type selected in the
upper box for the current construction stage. This action
is equivalent to unmarking all the checkboxes one by one.
Apply to All Stages Marks all the checkboxes for all construction stages
exactly the same way as for the current stage.
Apply from this Stages On Marks all the checkboxes for all construction stages higher
than the current one exactly the same way as for the
current stage.
2.7 Files
*.shi Input file (ASCII):

Contains the input with the problem definition. After interactive
generation, this file can be reused in subsequent MSheet analyses.
*.sho Output file (ASCII):
After a calculation has been performed, all output is written to this file. If
there are any errors in the input, they are described in this file.
*.shd Drawing file (binary):
Working file with plot data.
*.shl Earth pressure coefficient file (binary):
Working file with information on the lateral earth pressure ratios.
*.geo Geometry file (ASCII):
Export file for the M-Series, containing a description of the geometry.
*.sti MStab input file (ASCII):
Export file for MStab, containing the input data needed for a stability
calculation in MStab.
Introduction
Tutorial
Reference
Background
Verification
3
3 Tutorial 1: Excavation using Ka,
Ko and Kp
This first tutorial considers a sheet pile retaining wall with a single excavation stage
and no change in groundwater level, as indicated in Figure 3-1. This situation might
occur, for example, when creating a new waterway.
The objectives of this exercise are:

• To learn the steps needed to enter the project geometry and properties.
• To calculate and display the bending moments, shear forces and deflection of the
wall, as well as stresses in the soil, using earth pressure coefficients (Ka, Ko, Kp).
For this tutorial the following MSheet modules are needed:

• Base module (earth pressure coefficients)
3.1 Introduction to the case
The excavation is submerged; hence no change in groundwater level is expected. The

groundwater level is located 2 meters below the initial ground level. Four different soil
layers are modeled; their parameters are provided in Table 3-1. In this example the
sheet piling used to make the wall is an AZ 13 profile, having a bending stiffness of
41370 kNm²/m’. The top of the wall is located at ground level (GL). The toe of the wall
is at GL -16 m. The surface is excavated to GL -7 m on the left hand side of the wall.
GL=0
-2.0
CLAY
-4.0
-6.00 PEAT
CLAY
CLAY
AZ 13
-13.0
SAND
-16.0
Figure 3-1 – Single stage excavation
Table 3-1 - Soil properties

Clay Peat Sand
Unsaturated total unit weight [kN/m³] 15 10 17
Saturated total unit weight [kN/m³] 16 11 19
(Drained) Cohesion [kN/m²] 10 2 0
Friction angle [deg] 17 20 35
Delta Friction angle [deg] 11 0 27
Mod. Subgrade Reaction: Virgin Loading [kN/m²] 2000 800 10000
TUTORIAL 41
3.2 Project
In the Project menu, the project model and project properties are described.
3.2.1 Model
To create a new project, follow the steps described below:

1. Start MSheet from the Windows taskbar (Start/Programs/Delft GeoSystems/MSheet).
2. If the MSheet installation is based on floating licenses then the Module window
may appear at this point. If this is the case then ensure that the modules
mentioned in the introduction of each tutorial have been selected. Click OK to close
the window.
3. Click File and choose New on the MSheet menu bar to start a new project. This will
result in a screen similar to Figure 3-2.
4. Click Project on the MSheet menu bar and then choose Model.
5. Select Sheet piling.
6. Select the Ka, Ko, Kp soil parameters model (Figure 3-3).
Figure 3-3 – Model window
7. Deselect the option Check vertical balance as a vertical balance check is not part of
this exercise.
8. Deselect the option CUR verification as a CUR verification check is not part of this
exercise.
9. Click OK and proceed to the definition of the sheet piling.
10. A message may appear stating that for all stages the method used is set to Ka, Ko,
Kp. Click Yes to continue.
See Project Model [§ 19.1.1] for a detailed description of this window.
3.3 Construction
This menu deals with the input of the retaining structure. In this example the sheet
piling data needs to be specified.
To enter the sheet piling data:

1. Click Construction on the MSheet menu bar and choose Sheet Piling.
2. In the input window displayed (Figure 3-4), enter the top and toe level of the
sheet piling. In this case, the top level (Sheet piling top level) is at 0.0 m and the
bottom (Section bottom level) at -16 m.
3. The bending stiffness can be entered manually, or imported from the library that is
integrated in MSheet. To use the library, click the “…”button, and select Arbed's
AZ 13 from the Sheet Piling Profiles window. This will give a sheet piling with a
bending stiffness of 41,370 kNm²/m'.
TUTORIAL 43
4. Use the Select button to return to the Sheet Piling menu. The sheet properties of
the selected sheet pile type will be displayed in the window.
Figure 3-4 – Sheet Piling profiles window
5. Click OK to close the Sheet Piling window. The next stage is to define the ground
surface positions.
NOTE: The default acting width is 1.0 m. This allows for easy interpretation of
output results as the acting width is a multiplication factor for the sheet piling
stiffness and all loads, supports and reaction forces except the normal forces. Normal
forces are always inputted per acting width of the construction. For more information
on normal forces see [§ 19.4.5]. The acting width need only be changed in the case of
a combined wall consisting of sections with different acting widths. For more detail,
please refer to the reference manual [§ 19.2.1].
See [§ 19.2] for a detailed description of the Construction menu.
3.4 Soil
In the menu item Soil the soil surfaces, properties and soil profile can be specified.
Water levels, pore pressures additional to those caused by the water level, and water
properties are also defined here.
3.4.1 Surfaces
After defining the sheet piling, the ground surfaces must be defined. In MSheet, this is
done by first specifying different surface levels and then specifying which surface
levels are active on the left and right hand side of the excavation.
In this project, two horizontal surfaces need to be defined. The ground level surface
(named <GL>) at 0 m, and the surface for the excavation level at -7 m. After defining
these surfaces, the <GL> surface needs to be active on the right hand side and the
<GL-7> excavation level on the left hand side.
Define surfaces
Choose Soil and then Surfaces to display an input window in which the following
should be done:
1. Rename the first surface <GL>. Enter 0.0 m for the vertical Level. As the surface is
horizontal, the distance parameter may be ignored.
2. Click Add to add a surface with the name <GL-7> and enter -7.0 for its vertical
level, as indicated in Figure 3-5.
Figure 3-5 – Surfaces window
3. Click OK.
NOTE: MSheet displays an overview of the surfaces defined in the lower box of the
Stage Composer sub-window (if Surface left or Surface right has been selected), as
indicated in Figure 3-6. See also activate surfaces in the next section.
Activate surfaces
Which surfaces should be applied on the left and right hand sides of the sheet piling
may now be selected. This selection is made using the Stage Composer located at the
left hand side of the main window for MSheet.
1. Click Surface left and select the surface with description, <GL-7>.
2. Click Surface right and select the surface with description, <GL>.
TUTORIAL 45
Figure 3-6 – Stage Composer window
Notice that on activating the surfaces, the Input Diagram changes to the actual
situation. The Input Diagram now indicates the excavation level, as shown in Figure
3-7.
See Surfaces [§ 19.3.1] for a detailed description of the Surfaces window.
Figure 3-7 – Input Diagram with excavation level applied on the left hand side.
3.4.2 Soil Layers
The properties of each soil layer need to be defined before the location of the layer
itself is specified. Input of the soil profile is described in the next section.
For MSheet, material properties are divided into three groups:

• General properties
• Earth pressure coefficients
• Modulus of subgrade reaction
General properties
1. To enter the layer properties, click Soil and then choose Layers on the MSheet
menu bar to display the input window shown in Figure 3-8.
Figure 3-8 – Empty Soil Layers window
2. Rename the soil layer name to <Clay>.

3. Enter the required General data, for the first layer <Clay> as indicated in Figure
3-9. The “Friction angle phi” and the “Delta friction angle” (representing the
friction between the soil and the sheet pile wall) are not inputted at this stage.
NOTE: When the unsaturated unit weight of a soil layer is not relevant because it is
always below the water table, any value entered in the Unsaturated total unit weight
box will not be used.
TUTORIAL 47
Figure 3-9 – Soil Layers window, General data
NOTE: Input of the internal friction angle is not required when the earth pressure
coefficients are entered manually. Input of cohesion is always required, see [§ 25.1] for
more detail.
Earth pressure coefficients

In MSheet, earth pressure coefficients can be entered manually or calculated using an
automatic procedure from a relation between the cohesion, the internal friction angle
and the delta friction angle.
Figure 3-10 – Soil Layers window, Earth pressure coefficients
1. Select Muller-Breslau (straight strip surfaces) to automatically generate earth

pressure coefficients according to the Muller-Breslau method.
Selecting either Muller-Breslau or Kotter enables input of the Friction angle phi and
the Delta friction angle.
2. Enter 17 for “phi” and 11 for “delta”, as indicated in Figure 3-10.
NOTE: The Muller-Breslau method of determining earth pressure coefficients is based

upon straight slip surfaces. This method has limitations, as described in the NEN 6740,
12.4.2.2 [Lit 12] and CUR 166 [Lit 16]. Generally the Muller-Breslau method is used
when the soil’s friction angle, phi, is equal or less than 30°. The Kotter method is
generally used for larger friction angles. For more information see [§ 24.3] and
[§ 24.4]. The method selected also has an impact on the way the delta friction angle is
determined. Suggestions for correlations between the friction angle and the delta
friction angle can be found in Table 25-1.
Modulus of subgrade reaction

MSheet offers two ways to input the modulus of subgrade reaction: manually or
according to the Dutch design standard for sheet-pilings (CUR 166). The latter is done
by selecting a predefined soil type. In this example the modulus of subgrade reaction is
entered manually.
1. Click the Curve Settings button in the Soil Layers window, the window shown in
Figure 3-11 appears.
2. Select Tangent (MSheet Classic) to enter the modulus of subgrade reaction
manually.
3. Make sure the checkbox Use unloading/reloading curve is not marked. Marking this
checkbox is only necessary when using an elasto-plastic model which follows a
different branch of the curve for unloading than for reloading. This example just
uses a simple elastic model.
Figure 3-11 – Curve Settings window
4. Select 1 in the number of curves for spring characteristics box. When entering the
moduli of subgrade reaction manually, the user defines the number of curves for
spring characteristics, which is the number of branches (with a different
inclination) that will be used in the multi-linear relationship between horizontal
soil stress and displacement. This number can vary from 1 to 4. In this simple
example, only one branch is used.
5. Click OK to close the Curve Settings window.
6. Enter the values of the Modulus of Subgrade Reaction for the only branch selected
(Figure 3-12). According to Table 3-1 in the case description, this value is
k1 = 2000 kN/m3 (virgin loading) for both the top and the bottom of the layer.
Figure 3-12 – Soil Layers window, Modulus of subgrade reaction – Tangent (MSheet
Classic)
TUTORIAL 49
7. Repeat this process for the two other soil layers by adding two additional layers,
<Peat> and <Sand>, and entering the soil properties from Table 3-1 in the same
way as for the clay layer. Please note that for sake of simplicity, the properties of
the second clay layer are identical to the properties of the first layer. In this case
the properties only need to be entered once. Note that for friction angles larger
than 30 degrees it is advised to use the “Kotter” method to determine the values
for Ka, Ko and Kp. Hence, select this method for the sand layer in this example.
8. Click OK to confirm the input data for the layer properties.
9. The next stage is to enter the profile of layer positions.
See Soil Layers [§ 19.3.2] for a detailed description.
3.4.2 Soil Profiles
Once the layer properties have been entered, one or more soil profiles can be specified.
To do this, the top level of each layer is input, and one of the previously defined soils
is selected. It is also possible to specify an additional pore pressure distribution. In this
exercise no additional pore pressures are considered. Pore pressures resulting from the
groundwater level are entered as water levels, as described in the next section.
Enter the soil profile by following these steps:

1. Click Soil and then choose Profiles.
2. Define the positions of each layer by specifying the layer top, as indicated in
Figure 3-13.
3. Leave the additional pore pressures at their default values (0.00), as only
hydrostatic pore pressures act in this example.
Figure 3-13 – Soil Profiles window
See Soil Profiles [§ 19.3.4] for a detailed description.

After entering the soil profile, the Input Diagram window should appear as indicated in
Figure 3-14.
Figure 3-14 – Input Diagram confirming the entered soil profile
NOTE: The bottom level of the layer is not entered: MSheet assumes the lowest layer
to extend to the bottom of the sheet piling.
3.4.3 Water Levels
By default MSheet assumes the water level to be at 0.0 m. In this example the
groundwater level is located at -2.0 m on both sides of the wall (a submerged
excavation).
Follow these steps to enter the groundwater level:

1. Click Soil and then choose Water Levels.
2. Click on the default name “New Water level” and change it to “WL=GL-2”.
3. Specify the level at -2.0 m and close the window by clicking on the OK button.
TUTORIAL 51
Figure 3-15 – Water Levels window
See Water Levels [§ 19.3.5] for a detailed description of this window.
After entering the water level, the Input Diagram window should appear as indicated in
Figure 3-16.
Figure 3-16 – Input Diagram confirming the entered water level
3.4.4 Water Properties
The unit weight of water can be changed in the Water Properties window. The default
value is 9.81 kN/m³. For this tutorial example the default value is used. See [§ 19.3.6]
of the reference manual for additional information.
3.5 Loads & Supports
In this tutorial example no loads or supports are used. Loads and supports are used in
the next tutorial example.
3.6 Stages
The excavation of the soil on the right hand side of the sheet pile wall is the only
stage considered in this tutorial, so no further input is required.
3.7 Calculation
3.7.1 Calculation Options
1. Click Calculation and then choose Options to open the Calculation Options window.
The First stage represents initial solution option is only required when a sheet pile
wall is added in a situation where the initial soil surface bears a surcharge or is not
horizontal. Therefore this box need not be selected. For more details please refer to
[§ 20.1].
Figure 3-17 – Calculation Options window
2. Accept the default Coarse as this model does not contain any loads or slopes close
to the sheet piling (see the Note below).
3. Click OK to close this window.
NOTE: In MSheet the earth pressure coefficients are calculated at certain modes
along the wall. The Coarse method only calculates the values of the earth pressure
coefficients at major nodes. The Fine method calculates the values at the minor nodes
as well (five times more). Therefore, calculation with the Fine method takes
significantly longer. It should be noted that the results may differ slightly according to
the method employed. These differences occur mostly at slopes or loads close to the
sheet piling. In these cases the Fine method is recommended, in other cases faster
calculations can be made with the Coarse method. For more information, see [§ 20.2].
TUTORIAL 53
3.7.2 Start Calculation
Now that all input has been entered, the calculation can be executed.
1. To start calculation, click Calculation and then choose Start.
Figure 3-18 – Start Calculation window
2. In the Start Calculation window displayed (Figure 3-18), click OK to calculate the
results. MSheet opens the Save As window if the project has not already been saved
to disk.
3. Specify a project name, <Tutorial-1> for example (this name will be referred to in
other tutorial examples). During the analysis, a Calculation Progress window
appears (Figure 3-19).
Figure 3-19 – Calculation Progress window
4. Click Close once the analysis has been completed. The results can now be displayed
using the Result menu.
See Start Calculation [§ 20.2] for additional information.

3.8 Results
3.8.1 Moment/Force/Displacement Charts
• To view the resulting moments, forces and displacements in graphical form click
Results and then choose Moment/Force/Displacement Charts. This will produce the
following graphical output (Figure 3-20).
Figure 3-20 – Resulting Moments, Forces and Displacements
As expected, the maximum displacement is at the top of the sheet pile wall. Shear
forces and moments are nil at the top and the bottom of the sheet piling as the
displacement is not constrained here. The magnitude of the maximum moment in the
sheet pile wall is around 160 kNm, which is less than this section’s maximum moment
for elastic behavior, so the wall will not fail in bending. To find the section’s maximum
moment for elastic behavior open the Sheet Piling Profiles Library from the Tools menu
and look under Mmax;el for the AZ13 profile for the yield strength.
NOTE: The chart data can be viewed and then copied by clicking the right-hand
mouse button in the Moment/Force/Displacement Charts window and select View Data.
The table of data is then displayed as shown in Figure 3-21.
TUTORIAL 55
Figure 3-21 – Chart Data window
3.8.2 Stress State Charts
• To view the graphical results of the water pressure, resulting stress in the sheet
piling and effective stress in the soil, click Results and then choose Stress State
Charts. This will produce the following graphical output (Figure 3-22).
Figure 3-22 – Resulting Stress State Charts
The discontinuities in the effective stress distribution coincide with the junction of two
layers, as the properties of each layer are different.
3.8.3 Stress Diagrams
• To view the effective stress distribution displayed on top of an image of the

construction, click Results and then choose Stress Diagrams. This will produce the
following graphical output (Figure 3-23).
Figure 3-23 – Effective Stress window
This effective stress distribution is the same as the third chart of Figure 3-22, but it is
displayed on top of the Input Diagram. To view the water pressure and resulting stress
click on the Mode icons to the left of the diagram. Maximum values are displayed at
the bottom of the window.
More results and information are available in a report. How to choose and view the
content of a report is described in the next tutorial [chapter 4].
3.9 Conclusion
Various input windows are used to enter the details of a project that is to be modeled
and analyzed. Once these details have been input, they can be used to calculate a
range of results, including bending moments, shear forces and displacement in the
sheet pile wall and the effective soil stresses. One way to view these results is to
display them graphically on the screen.
4
4 Tutorial 2: Excavation using c,
phi, delta
This second tutorial example extends the first tutorial by changing one of the surfaces
to be non-horizontal, as indicated in Figure 3-1. A vertical balance check is also
performed as part of this exercise.

• To enter a non-horizontal surface.
• To learn about the differences between the Ka, Ko, Kp and c, phi, delta methods.
• To calculate earth pressure coefficients using the c, phi, delta method.
• To perform a vertical force balance check.
For this example, the following MSheet modules are needed:

• C, phi, delta (Culmann) module
This excavation is the same as that modeled in the first tutorial, except that the shape
of the ground surface on the left-hand side is no longer horizontal. This shape change
has been caused by an excavation that takes place after the sheet pile wall has been
installed.
2.0 2.0
GL=0.0
-1.5
-2.0 CLAY
-4.0
-6.0 PEAT
CLAY
AZ 13
-13.0
SAND
-16.0
Figure 4-1 – Single stage excavation with a non-horizontal surface
4.2 Changing the Model
Soil strength is a function of various factors, including the effective stress and the
stress history of the soil. It is therefore normal for the strength of a soil layer to vary
with the depth in the layer. The c, phi, delta method as offered by the c, phi, delta
(Culmann) module of MSheet is therefore preferable in general as it calculates the
earth pressure coefficients over the depth of a soil layer, whereas the Ka, Ko, Kp
method assumes the same earth pressure coefficients at all depths in a soil layer. The c,
phi, delta model can be used in situations where there is an applied surcharge or the
surface is not horizontal, whereas the Ka, Ko, Kp model is limited to horizontal
surfaces and uniform loads. For more information, see [§ 19.1.1]. This tutorial involves
a non-horizontal surface, so before the calculation can be performed the
c, phi, delta model needs to be selected.
1. Open the first tutorial by clicking Open in the File menu and selecting the
appropriately named tutorial, i.e. <Tutorial-1>. Save the project with a new name
by clicking Save As in the File menu and by entering <Tutorial-2> as the project
name.
2. Click Project on the MSheet menu bar and then choose Model.
3. Select the c, phi, delta model (Figure 4-2).
4. Mark the Check Vertical Balance checkbox to perform this check along with the
standard calculations.
5. Click OK to apply these changes. A window will appear asking for confirmation of
this change; select Yes to continue, using the c, phi, delta model.
TUTORIAL 59
NOTE: When using the c, phi, delta - model, the earth pressure coefficients are
implicitly calculated by MSheet using Culmann’s method. Therefore the sub-window
Earth pressure coefficients of the Soil Layers window disappears (compared to the
previous tutorial) as can be seen in Figure 4-3 below.
Figure 4-3 – Soil Layers window using the c, phi, delta model
4.3 Non-horizontal surface
Change the current input by modifying the geometry of the surface linked to the right
hand side of the sheet pile wall, following these steps:
1. Choose Soil and Surfaces to display an input window in which the surface on the
right hand side of the sheet pile wall can be changed.
2. Select the first surface, named <GL>.
3. Fill in the values that are listed in the table of Figure 4-4 below.
Figure 4-4 – Surfaces window with a non-horizontal surface
4. Click OK to see the result of this change to the form of the surface named <GL> in
the Input Diagram window (Figure 4-5).
NOTE: MSheet models a non-horizontal surface as a horizontal surface with an extra

surcharge load applied to it (the load is equivalent to the weight of the soil that makes
up the non-horizontal part of the surface) [chapter 24]. Thus in this example MSheet
has assumed that the sheet piling was installed, after which a surcharge load was
applied to a horizontal surface, at -1.5m, on the right hand side. The “application” of a
non-horizontal surface will therefore cause some deformation in the sheet pile wall. To
prevent this happening (eg when modeling a surface that was already non-horizontal
before the sheet piling was installed) use the First stage represents initial situation
option (see [§ 20.1] and [chapter 30]).
TUTORIAL 61
Figure 4-5 – Input Diagram window showing a non-horizontal surface
4.3.1 Input for vertical balance check
The vertical balance check checks that the sum of the forces acting downwards on the
sheet pile wall does not exceed the resistance of the soil at the toe of the wall. For
more information, see [chapter 28].
In order to do this various parameters need to be input:

1. Open the Sheet Piling window from the Construction menu.
2. In the Vertical balance sub-window, enter the maximum point resistance, Maximum
Point resistance (Pr;max;point), as 15 MPa and a Xi factor of 0.75 as prescribed in
Table 4.4 of the CUR 166 procedure [Lit 5] (see also [§ 19.2.2]). Additional
information may be found in [§ 19.2.2]. Note that some other parameters have
appeared in the Sheet Piling window, as indicated in Figure 4-6. As the sheet pile
type was selected from the library, these have been added automatically. For a
user-defined sheet pile the values of these parameters would need to be input at
this stage.
3. Click OK to close the window.
NOTE: The maximum point resistance value used here is actually the maximum pile
tip resistance as defined in the Dutch design codes [Lit 13]. It is derived from a
combination of cone resistances. For more information see also [chapter 28].
Figure 4-6 – Sheet Piling Window showing additional parameters for the vertical
balance check.
4.4 Calculation
The forces, moments and displacements for this project will need to be recalculated as
the input has been changed.
1. Click Calculation and then choose Start.
Figure 4-7 – Start Calculation window (using c, phi, delta - model)
2. Click OK to start the calculation. Earth pressure coefficient recalculation is left as

Automatic since manual modification is only required in exceptional situations
where the user wishes to specify earth pressure coefficients individually. [§ 32.1.2].
3. Close the Calculation Progress window when MSheet indicates that the calculation is
finished.
NOTE: If the c, phi, delta model is not selected then MSheet cannot perform the
calculation and an error message will be displayed. If this occurs, simply change the
model in the Model window to c, phi, delta and start the calculation again.
TUTORIAL 63
4.5 Results
4.5.1 Moment/Force/Displacement Charts
• To view the results of this calculation click on Moment/Force/Displacement Charts

in the Results menu.
Figure 4-8– Moment/Force/Displacement Charts window
It can be seen that the maximum moment in the sheet pile wall is around 110 kNm,
which is well within the acceptable range for this section. These results can also be
found in the report, so long as the appropriate content has been selected in the Report
Selection window [§ 21.1].
4.5.2 Report Selection
This window allows selection of the report content for viewing, exporting and printing,
by marking the checkboxes in the tree view (Figure 4-9).
1. Click Results and then Report Selection to open the Report Selection window.
2. Click OK to generate a report with the selected content.
Figure 4-9 – Report Selection window
4.5.3 Report
The total report contains full details of the input, a results overview, and graphical and
tabular results.
1. To view the report with the selected content, click Results on the menu bar and
then Report. Results can be found by looking in this report, or they can be
displayed visually, as described in [§ 3.8].
2. Click File and choose Print Preview Report to preview the report as it will be
printed. In the Print Preview window, click File and choose Save As to export the
report to Rich Text Format (RTF) files. Files of this type can be used for further
editing with a text editor.
To check if the vertical force balance criteria have been met, ensure the Vertical force
balance option has been selected in the tree view of the Report Selection window,
opened from the Results menu. Then display the report by clicking on Results and then
Report. Results are given for unplugged and plugged cases – in the latter the soil in the
concave parts of the sheet piling cross-section is considered as contributing to the
cross-sectional area of the base of the sheet pile. Therefore looking at the results of
the unplugged case is more conservative. It can be seen (Figure 4-10) that the sum of
the vertical forces is around 10 kN, which is much less than the vertical force capacity
of the soil at the toe of the sheet pile wall (around 190 kN). The report writes
explicitly that the “Vertical force capacity is sufficient” for both the unplugged and
plugged situation.
TUTORIAL 65
Figure 4-10 – Report window showing vertical balance check results
NOTE: If the vertical force capacity is not sufficient then modifications to the soil
friction direction can be made, as described in [chapter 28].
4.6 Conclusion
This tutorial shows that the c, phi, delta method is generally preferable because it
includes the influence of soil weight and gives a more detailed representation of the
soil strength. This tutorial has also shown how to input the necessary parameters for,
and access the results of, a vertical force balance check.
5
5 Tutorial 3: Staged excavation
with pre-stressed anchors
MSheet is based on the engineering practice of having a phased design, using more
that one stage during construction. In the first two tutorial examples, only one phase
was considered for simplicity, and the user could ignore the staged approach of
MSheet.
Staged calculations are necessary because the sheet piling must be stable in all phases
during construction, and because the construction sequence influences the results of
subsequent stages.

• To analyze the construction of a sheet pile wall using more than one stage and to
check that the sheet piling is stable in all phases of construction.
• To apply an anchor.
• To lower the water level on one side of the sheet pile wall.

The same layer profile, sheet piling type and layer properties as the first tutorial
example [chapter 4] are used. A pre-stressed anchor is added during one of the three
stages of construction that are modeled. For the sake of simplicity, the earth pressure
coefficients (Ka, Ko, Kp) model is used.
25.0
GL=0
-2.0 2.0
CLAY
-4.0
-6.0 PEAT
CLAY
AZ 13
-13.0
SAND
-16.0
Figure 5-1 – Final situation after excavation, installation of an anchor and lowering of
the water level
For this example the three stages of construction are as follows:

• Stage 1 (Initial stage), the soil surfaces on the left and the right hand sides of the
sheet pile wall are at -2 m and 0 m respectively, and the water level is at -2 m.
• Stage 2 (Apply anchor), a row of anchors is installed with one anchor every 3 m,
on the right hand side at -1.5 m. The properties of the anchors are laid out in
Table 5-1, along with their conversion to values per running meter.
• Stage 3 (Excavate and lower water table), the soil on the left hand side is
excavated to -7 m and the water level on that side is also lowered to -7 m.
TUTORIAL 69
pre-stress 80 kN/m'
-2.0
stage 1 stage 2
-7.0
stage 3
Figure 5-2 – Excavation stages shown separately
5.2 Surfaces
To model the staged excavation, one more surface level needs to be input for the left
side of the sheet pile wall.
1. First, open the input file that was saved earlier under the name <Tutorial-1.shi>,
and save it with the name <Tutorial 3.shi>.
2. Open the Surfaces window from the Soil menu.
3. Click the Insert button.
4. Change the name of this new surface into <GL -2> and enter the level as -2 m.
5.3 Water Levels
The two water levels that will be used in the different stages should be entered:
1. Open the Water Levels window in the Soil menu.
2. Add another water level as indicated in Figure 5-4 below.
5.4 Anchors
The anchor that will be applied in the third stage needs to be entered.
1. Open the Anchors window from the Supports menu.
2. Specify the anchor parameters as given in the last column of Table 5-1. Anchor
parameters should be entered per running meter.
TUTORIAL 71
Table 5-1 – Anchor properties

Property Value per anchor Value per meter acting width
Young’s modulus 2.1 × 108 kN/m2 2.1 × 108 kN/m2
Cross section 12.0 × 10-4 m2 4.0 × 10-4 m2/m’
Wall height 2.0 m 2.0 m
Length 25.0 m 25.0 m
Angle 0° 0°
Yield force 720.0 kN 240.0 kN/m’
Figure 5-5 – Anchors window
5.5 Staged Construction
Although all the additional data has now been entered, it has yet to be connected to
any construction stages. It is helpful to understand that MSheet uses “building blocks”
to compose the input of its calculations. First, all “buildings blocks” are defined in the
input dialogs. Then they are assembled to make the construction stages.
5.5.1 Stages Manager
After the new water levels, surfaces and anchors have been defined, the construction
stages can be specified.
1. Click Stages on the menu bar and choose Manager.
2. In the input window displayed, rename <New Stage> as <Initial stage>.
3. Add two more stages by using the Add button and name them <Apply anchor> and
<Excavate and lower water level>.
Figure 5-6 – Stages Manager window
When adding or inserting a construction stage, a copy is made of the current stage.
This implies that we now have three equal stages.
5.5.2 Stages Overview
The construction stages need to be assembled from the defined building blocks.
1. Click the Overview option in the Stages menu. The window displayed enables
assembly of the construction stages from the building blocks that have been
defined.
2. Select the Water levels and Surfaces as shown in Figure 5-7.
3. Select the anchor in the last two stages.
4. Enter a pre-stress force of 80 kN/m’ after selecting the <Anchor> in the Pre-
tensioning forces sub-window.
NOTE: Anchors should normally be applied as a separate stage. When anchors are
combined with other loads, such as a change in excavation level, or change in water
level the stiffness is active prior to applying the loads.
NOTE: Anchor pre-stress forces need only be entered for the first stage that they are
applied. For the first stage where an anchor is added, the anchor is modeled as a force
applied to the wall, with no associated stiffness. For subsequent stages MSheet models
the anchor as a spring.
NOTE: The excavation and the lowering of the water table are implemented by
changing the water level and the surface, not by changing the soil profile.
TUTORIAL 73
Figure 5-7 – Stages Overview window
5.6 Calculation and Results
The input of the construction stages is now finished. The calculation can be started:
1. Click Start in the Calculation menu. The message Calculation finished in the
Calculation Progress window indicates that the sheet piling is stable in all stages. If
the wall was unstable in any stage then a message would indicate so at this point.
2. Inspect the moments, forces and displacements by opening the output window in
the Result menu. To view a different stage either use the drop down list at the top
of the window or use the Previous stage and Next stage arrows, , to move
forward and backward through the stages.
For example, in the second stage the applied anchor pre-stress force can be seen to be
80 kN as expected, as indicated in Figure 5-8. In the final stage it can be seen that the
anchor force has risen to about 146 kN, as indicated in Figure 5-9.
Figure 5-8 – Moment/Force/Displacement Charts for the second stage
Figure 5-9 – Moment/Force/Displacement Charts for the third stage

TUTORIAL 75
5.7 Conclusion
This third tutorial example analyzes the construction of a sheet pile wall using more
than one stage and checks that the wall is stable in all phases of construction. It also
shows how to apply a pre-stressed anchor and lower the water level on one side of the
wall.
6
6 Tutorial 4: Applying loads
The input of this example is based on the results of the tutorial example “Tutorial 3:
Staged excavation with pre-stressed anchors” [chapter 5]. A final stage is added to
model the effect of a traffic load along the edge of the retaining wall, and a force from
boat moorings on a windy day. These are modeled as a surcharge load and a horizontal
line load respectively, as indicated in Figure 6-1.

• To learn how loads, such as surcharges and horizontal line loads, are modeled in
MSheet;
• To note that when a surcharge load is applied, only the c, phi, delta method can
be used.

• Base module (Earth pressure coefficients)
The same layer profile, sheet piling type and layer properties as the third tutorial
example are used. A fourth stage is added in which a traffic load of 20 kN/m2 and a
horizontal load of 50 kN/m representing ships mooring are applied. See also Figure 6-1
for an overview.
• Open the input file <Tutorial-3.shi>, and save it with a new name: <Tutorial-4>.
25.0
2.0
2.0 kN/m2
GL=0
50 kN/m
-2.0 2.0
CLAY
anchor level -1.5m -4.0
-6.0 PEAT
CLAY
AZ 13
-13.0
SAND
-16.0
Figure 6-1 – Surcharge load and horizontal line load in the last stage
6.2 Inputting Surcharge Loads and Horizontal Line Loads
In stage 4, a surcharge load will be applied, together with a horizontal line load
applied to the top the sheet pile wall and directed to the left.
• Surcharge loads can only be analyzed if the c, phi, delta model is used, so in the
Project menu select Model and select c, phi, delta soil parameters.
To input the surcharge, modeling the traffic load:

1. Click Loads in the menu bar and then choose Surcharge Loads.
2. In the input window displayed, define a load with the name <Traffic load>, working
from a distance 0 m to a distance 2 m from the sheet pile wall, with a magnitude of
20 kN/m2.
3. Click OK to confirm the input.
TUTORIAL 79
Figure 6-2 – Surcharge Loads window
NOTE: Surcharge loads which have the same value throughout and continue to a
very long distance from the wall can be modeled using the Uniform Loads option. See
[§ 19.4.1] for more information.
To input the horizontal line load, modeling the moorings:

1. Click Loads in the menu bar and then choose Horizontal Line Loads.
2. In the input window displayed, define a load with the name <Mooring force>,
acting at a level of 0 m and with a magnitude of -50 kN/m’.
Figure 6-3 – Horizontal Line Loads window

6.3 Using Surcharge Loads
Now that the loads have been defined, they can be introduced in a new stage.
1. Open the Stages Manager and select the last stage.
2. Click the Add button to add a stage, that is copied from the selected stage and
change the name to <Loads applied>.
3. Open the Stages Overview window and select <Traffic load> acting on the right hand
side and <Mooring force> in the last stage. Apply all other levels, supports and so
on as in the fourth stage.
Figure 6-4 – Stages Overview window showing input for the fourth stage
A new calculation can now be made.

1. Click Calculation and then choose Start.
2. Close the Calculation Progress window when finished.
NOTE: If the c, phi, delta model is not selected then MSheet cannot perform the
calculation and an error message will be displayed. If this occurs, simply change the
model in the Model window to c, phi, delta and start the calculation again.
TUTORIAL 81
6.4 Results
• Open the Moment/Force/Displacement Charts window from the Results menu for a
graphical overview of the effect of applying the loads in the final stage.
It can be seen that the displacement at the top is around zero, while the maximum
displacements are around 100 mm, the magnitude of the bending moments is slightly
reduced, the shear force has increased and the anchor force is now around 190 kN/m.
Figure 6-5 – Moment/Force/Displacement Charts showing the effect the applied loads
6.5 Conclusion
This tutorial shows how to input a surcharge load and a horizontal line load. When a
surcharge load is applied, only the c, phi, delta - model (Culmann) can be used.
7
TUTORIAL 83
7 Tutorial 5: Design of required

sheet piling length
In the previous tutorial examples, the sheet piling length was assumed to be 16 m, and
the calculations showed that the sheet piling was stable. The design met the basic
requirements.
In practice, the engineer is not only interested in stability and other technical
requirements such as allowable forces, moments and displacements, but also in the cost
of the design. A shorter length sheet piling will cost less, therefore the engineer may
wish to know the shortest length of the sheet piling for which the design is still stable.
The objective of this exercise is:

• To use MSheet to find the shortest sheet piling length for which the design is still
stable.

The input file of Tutorial 1 is used to design the sheet piling length.
• Open <Tutorial-1.shi> and save it under the name <Tutorial-5>.
GL=0
-2.0
CLAY
-4.0
-6.00 PEAT
CLAY
CLAY
AZ 13
-13.0
SAND
-16.0
Figure 7-1 - Single stage excavation as in tutorial 1
7.2 Design Sheet Piling Length
To determine the shortest length for the sheet piling:

1. Click Calculation and then choose Design Sheet Piling Length.
2. In the window displayed, specify a step-by-step reduction from 18 m to 8 m, using
a decrement of 1 m, as indicated in Figure 7-2. This will cause the sheet pile wall to
be successively analyzed for sheet piling lengths between these values, reducing by
the decrement each time.
Figure 7-2 – Design sheet Pile Length window
3. Click Start to start the calculation.

TUTORIAL 85
The following results will be displayed:
Figure 7-3 – Design Sheet Piling Length window, design calculation results
Instability occurs at a length of 11 m. As decrements of 1.0 m were used, it can be

concluded that the sheet piling needs to be at least 12 m long.
The calculation can be repeated for shorter decrements, over a smaller range, for
further optimization. Once the length is optimized a calculation needs to be performed
using the optimized length. This will provide the additional output information.
To change the sheet piling length to this more economical value of 12 m:

1. Open the Sheet Piling window from the Construction menu
2. Change the Section bottom level to 12 m.
3. Select Start under Calculation.
Once the calculation is complete the results can be viewed by opening the Report, as
shown in Figure 7-4. It can be seen that the maximum mobilized resistance [§ 20.4] is
around 63 % and therefore the design is indeed stable.
Figure 7-4 – Output report showing the mobilized resistance
NOTE: MSheet defines instability as occurring when either 100 % of the resistance
has been mobilized or when the maximum displacement exceeds 25 % of the sheet
piling length. For more information, see [§ 20.4].
7.3 Conclusion
MSheet can be used to analyze a range of sheet piling lengths to determine the
shortest length for which the wall will still be stable. This length can then be input by
the user if desired.
8
5
8 Tutorial 6: Submerged
Construction of Concrete Floor
This tutorial example shows how to use MSheet to model a piled concrete floor which is
constructed underwater, with the excavation subsequently being dried above the level
of the floor. The presence of an impermeable layer of concrete on one side of the wall,
at a level lower than the “natural” water table, requires some careful modeling in order
to represent the situation correctly.

• To model the effect of a concrete floor positioned below the “natural” water level.

This tutorial example involves a pit excavation with an anchored sheet pile wall and an
underwater concrete floor. The floor is supported by tension piles to prevent uplift
after the pit is pumped dry for use as an underground car park.
15.0
-4.0
-4.5
-6.0 TOP SAND
CLAY
-10.0
PU 6
CONCRETE -11.0
SAND
-16.0
Figure 8-1 – Final situation after construction
Construction is to be carried out in 5 stages:

• Stage 1: Excavation of the left hand surface from -4 m to -6 m.
• Stage 2: Installation of an anchor on the right hand side at -5.5 m, with a pre-
stress force of 200 kN/m.
• Stage 3: Excavation on the left hand side to -11 m.
• Stage 4: Submerged construction of 1 m of concrete on the bottom of the pit.
• Stage 5: De-watering of the pit by reducing the water level to -11 m.
TUTORIAL 89
-6.0
Initial stage (not modeled) Stage 1
pre-stress 200 kN/m'
-4.5
-11.0
Stage 2 Stage 3
-10.0
-11.0
Stage 4 Stage 5
Figure 8-2 – Overview of the construction stages

8.2 Modeling an underwater concrete floor
The first point of attention is the water pressures acting on the bottom of the concrete
floor in the final stage. As the sand layer beneath the concrete floor is permeable, pore
pressures left and right need to be equal, once the pit is pumped dry. MSheet allows
for the input of a water level left and right of the retaining structure. As the
excavation is made dry in the final stage, a water level equal to the bottom of the
concrete floor is entered (See A in Figure 8-3). Using the option to enter an additional
pore pressure profile, the total water pressures left and right are made equal (See B,
Figure 8-4). The magnitude of the additional pore pressure that needs to be applied is
(11 - 4.5) × 10 = 65 kN/m².
Forces from tension piles
B A Water pressure
Figure 8-3 – Modeling concrete below the “natural” water level
Secondly, the effect of the tension piles underneath the floor, preventing the floor
from uplift in the final stage needs modeling. The difference in water level heights on
each side of the wall results in an upthrust acting on the base of the concrete floor.
This upthrust is countered by the pull of the floor’s tension piles. Note that the weight
of the concrete is not taken into account as it is assumed to be born by the piles and
therefore will not act on the soil layers directly below the concrete. In this example,
the water level is at -4.5 m on the right hand side, and at -11 m on the left hand side,
ie touching the bottom of the impermeable concrete floor. Therefore the magnitude of
this load that needs to be applied is (11 - 4.5) × 10 = 65 kN/m². For background
information on this topic, see [§ 32.3].
TUTORIAL 91
8.3 General input
The following steps permit the definition of the model, the sheet piling, the soil
surfaces and the water levels for this tutorial:
1. Create a new project by clicking New Project in the File menu.
2. Open the Model window from the Project menu.
3. Select Sheet piling as the Model and select Mixed since the c, phi, delta method
allows greater precision for the soil layer stiffness modeling, but the concrete is
simplest to model using Ka, Ko, Kp and therefore different methods will be applied
to different materials.
4. Deselect the Check vertical balance and the CUR verification options as they are not
used in this example.
5. Open the Sheet Piling window from the Construction menu and enter an Arbed’s PU6
sheet piling (click on the “…” button and select the PU6 profile from the library)
with a top level of -4 m and a bottom level of -16 m, i.e. a length of 12 m.
6. Open the Surfaces window from the Soil menu and define surfaces with the
following levels:
Table 8-1 – Soil surfaces

Surface name Level
-4 - 4.0 m
-6 - 6.0 m
- 10 - 10.0 m
- 11 - 11.0 m
8.3.1 Soil Layers
The concrete is modeled as an extra soil layer. The Young’s modulus of the concrete is
E = 20 GPa and the width of the (symmetrical) pit excavation is b = 40 m. The modulus
of subgrade reaction of the concrete layer can be calculated from this data in the
following way:
E 20 ⋅ 109
(1) k= = = 1 ⋅ 106 kN / m3
b /2 40 / 2
The unit weight of the concrete is not zero, but it is modeled here as almost zero
because it is assumed that the floor’s weight is transmitted to the support piles and
therefore does not act on the soil directly below the floor. Phi and delta are modeled as
zero to better represent the homogeneous, as opposed to granular, nature of concrete
when compared to soil. The value for the cohesion is taken as half the compressive
strength of the concrete, so that with Kp = 1 the passive stress is equal to the
concrete’s compressive stress – see equation ( 22 ).
1. Open the Layers window from the Soil menu, and select Tangent modulus of
subgrade reaction, with 1 curve for spring characteristics in the window opened by
clicking on the Curve Settings button.
2. For concrete select Manual to input the Earth pressure coefficients. The behavior of
concrete is well modeled using, use Ka = Ko = 0 and Kp = 1, provided the cohesion
has been defined as described above.
3. For the other soil layers select Kotter (curved slip surfaces) for automatic
calculation of the earth pressure coefficients using Kotter’s method (the Muller-
Breslau method should not be used because the sands have high friction angles; for
the clay either method could be used, using Kotter for all layers has been chosen
for consistency). When using the Culmann method, the input of the earth pressure
coefficients will be ignored, but these coefficients are needed for when the Ka, Ko,
Kp method is selected, as will be the case for the left hand side once the concrete
is in place. Then define the sands, clay and concrete as described in Table 8-2.
Table 8-2 – Soil properties

Top Sand Clay Sand Concrete
Unsaturated total unit weight [kN/m³] 17 15 17 0.01
Saturated total unit weight [kN/m³] 20 15 20 0.01
(Drained) Cohesion [kN/m²] 0 2 0 15000
Friction angle [deg] 30 20 35 0
Delta Friction angle [deg] 20 10 23 0
Mod. Subgr. Reaction at top [kN/m²] 5000 500 10000 1 x106
Mod. Subgr. Reaction at [kN/m²] 5000 800 10000 1 x106
bottom
Earth pressure Coefficients [-] Kotter Kotter Kotter Manual
8.3.2 Soil Profiles
In this exercise three soil profiles need to be specified. One profile that represents the
situation up to the point where the concrete floor in constructed. The second profile is
used on the left hand side, including the concrete floor. The second profile needs to be
active when the floor is being constructed. A third profile is used to model the water
pressure acting on the concrete floor, using additional pore pressures. The third profile
needs to be active once the pit is pumped dry.
• Open the Soil Profiles window of the Soils menu and define 3 soil profiles. Input
the soil profiles left and right as indicated in Figure 8-4, Figure 8-5 and Figure
8-6.
TUTORIAL 93
Figure 8-4 – Soil profile before construction
Figure 8-5 – Second soil profile with concrete floor on left side
Figure 8-6 – Third soil profile with additional pore pressures

8.3.3 Water Levels
• Open the Water Levels window of the Soil menu, and define 2 water levels with
names <WL-4.5> and <WL-11> at levels -4.5 m and -11 m respectively. The level
<WL-11> is the water level for the left hand side once the excavation has been
dewatered.
8.3.4 Uniform Loads
• In the Uniform Loads window of the Loads menu, add a load with the name
<Forces from Piles> and with a magnitude of 65 kN/m2 on the left hand side. The
right hand side should remain at 0 kN/m2.
Figure 8-7 – Uniform Loads window
NOTE: The sum of the weight of the concrete floor and the forces of the piles
connected to the floor equals the excess pore water pressure: there must be equilibrium
at the base of the floor.
8.3.5 Anchors
Select Anchors from the Supports window and input a 15.0 m long anchor on the right
side named <Anchor>, at level -5.5 m, with a Young’s modulus of E = 2.1 × 108 kN/m2,
a cross-section of 8 × 10-4 m2/m’, zero wall height and zero inclination angle, and a
yield force of 600 kN/m’.
8.4 Stages implementation
The construction stages now have to be assembled from the defined building blocks.
1. Open the Stages Manager window of the Stages menu, and define 5 stages with the
names <Excavate to -6>, <Anchor on right side>, <Excavate to -11>, <Construct
floor under water> and <Dewater left side>.
2. Click the Overview option in the Stages menu.
TUTORIAL 95
3. For all stages the c, φ, δ method is selected except for stages 4 and 5, where the
Ka, K0, Kp method is used on the side of the concrete i.e. on the left side.
4. Select the Water levels, Surfaces and Soil profiles as shown in Figure 8-8.
5. Select the anchor from stages 2. For stage 2, enter a pre-stress force of 200 kN/m2
after selecting pre-stressed anchor checkbox in the Pre-tensioning forces sub-
window.
6. Select the Uniform load <Forces from Piles> for the final stage.
8.5 Calculation and results
1. Start the Calculation, saving the file under the name <Tutorial-6>.
2. After calculation is complete, open the Stress State Charts window from the Results
menu. The Resulting Stress chart for stage 5 shows that the concrete layer exercises
a compressive shear force on the sheet piling in this stage. In addition, it can be
seen that the pore water pressure below the level of the floor is the same on both
sides of the sheet pile wall, as expected.
Figure 8-9 – Stress State Charts showing compression caused by the concrete floor
8.6 Conclusion
Concrete floors that are below the “natural” water table can be modeled as a soil layer
with relevant properties. The effects caused by the absence of water above the
impermeable floor are modeled by a uniform load acting on the floor, and a water table
with additional pore pressures below the floor.
It should be noted that in this tutorial the anchor is applied under water, which is not
very realistic. It would me more appropriate to first lower the water table to a level
that allows for construction of the anchor. In that case, modeling the water pressures
in the sand and clay layers would need extra attention. As the short term behavior of
the clay layer can be assumed impermeable this needs similar attention as for the
modeling of the concrete floor.
9
9 Tutorial 7: Design code
checking (CUR 166, Method I)
In this tutorial, the application of the CUR 166 design procedure [Lit 5] is followed,
using slightly modified input values compared to Tutorial 3 “Tutorial 3: Staged
excavation with pre-stressed anchors” that was presented in the preceding sections. A
design of the sheet pile length is performed according to the CUR 166 design procedure
by prescribing partial factors on soil properties and also variations of the soil and water
levels. See “The CUR 166 step-by-step design procedure” [chapter 29] for background
information.

• To select the modulus of subgrade reaction from Table 3.3 of the CUR 166 design
code.
• To design the sheet piling length according to the CUR 166 design code by
performing a standard verification of the sheet piling stability for different
lengths, using partial factors and level variations for all stages.

• Base module (Earth pressure coefficients)
• C, phi, delta (Culmann) model module
• CUR verification module
The geometry and the stages are the same as for Tutorial 3 (Figure 9-1) except for the
soil and anchor properties, which are slightly modified. Also the method for
determining the earth pressure coefficients is to be changed to the Culmann method
(c, phi, delta model) as the CUR 166 design procedure is available only with this model.
25.0
GL=0
-2.0 2.0
CLAY
-4.0
-6.0 PEAT
CLAY
AZ 13
-13.0
SAND
-16.0
Figure 9-1 – Final stage of construction
The CUR 166 design procedure distinguishes three safety classes, corresponding to
three different reliability indices β. In this tutorial, the selected safety class is class II,
which corresponds to considerable damage in the case of overall failure and minor
personal safety risks, and has a reliability index β = 3.4.
The design of the sheet pile wall with a single anchor is performed by determining the
minimum length of the sheet piling using a stability analysis. For different lengths,
MSheet checks that the mobilized resistance does not reach 100 % and that the
maximum displacement does not exceed 25 % of the sheet pile length. During each
analysis with a given sheet pile length, five combinations (referred as steps 6.1, 6.2,
6.3, 6.4 and 6.5) of modified soil properties, surface levels and water levels are
checked. See [§ 29.3] for a description of those five combinations and the design
values used, as well as the other steps supported by MSheet.
The CUR 166 procedure allows application of partial factors and level variations during
all stages (Method I - used in this tutorial) or just the most unfavorable stage (Method
II). Method I is more conservative [§ 29.2]. User-defined partial factors and level
changes can also be applied, once they have been defined in the Default Partial Factors
window [§ 19.1.2].
NOTE: When performing a CUR verification for Safety Class III a partial factor of 1.25
also needs to be applied to unfavorable uniform loads (see [§ 29.3]). For all other cases
the partial factor is 1.00. As MSheet cannot tell which loads are favorable and which
are unfavorable, the user themselves needs to specify the partial factor to be applied to
each uniform load in the Uniform Loads window [§ 19.4.1].
TUTORIAL 99
9.2 Modify Model
First modify the method for the determination of the earth pressure coefficients.
1. Open the input file <Tutorial-3.shi>, and save it with name <Tutorial-7>.
2. Open the Model window from the Project menu, and select the C, phi, delta soil
parameters model and CUR verification. Confirm this choice.
Next, modify the general properties and the modulus of subgrade reaction of the
three soil layers by direct selection from CUR 166 table 3.3.
3. Select the Layers option from the Soil menu.
4. Open the Curve Settings window by clicking the Curve Settings button.
5. Select the Secant (CUR 166) option and click OK to confirm.
6. Click the Select From Table 3.3 button to display the CUR 166 (Table 3.3) window
(Figure 9-2).
7. Select the values of successively Clay moderate, Peat moderate and Sand moderate
for the soil types <Clay>, <Peat> and <Sand>.
Figure 9-2 – CUR 166 (Table 3.3) window
Figure 9-3 – Soil Layers window

9.3 Determine the minimum length (Steps 5 and 6 of the

CUR 166 design procedure)
The following steps determine the minimum sheet pile length according to the CUR 166
design procedure. All stages are checked implicitly for method I, with level variations
and partial factors applied for all stages.
1. Select Design Sheet Piling Length in the Calculation menu.
2. In the window displayed, select the last Construction stage <3: Excavate and lower
water level>, to check all stages up to and including the final stage.
3. Select the Partial factor set (safety class) <II>.
4. Select Partial factors (design values) in all stages (method I) from the CUR method
box.
5. Specify checks for the Pile Length ranging From 20 m Downto 12 m with a
Decrement of 1 m.
6. Click the Start button.
The results (Figure 9-4) show that for a length of 13 m the sheet piling becomes
unstable as the mobilized resistance reaches 100 %. Therefore, the minimum length
is approximately 14 m.
Figure 9-4 – Design Sheet Piling Length window
NOTE: MSheet assumes input of low representative values for soil strength and
stiffness when applying partial factors [§ 29.1].
TUTORIAL 101
7. Check that the last stage is indeed the most critical by repeating the above steps,
selecting each of the other stages. Note that the sheet piling does indeed become
unstable in the final stage earlier than in the others.
To get a more accurate result of when the piling becomes unstable, the Pile length
inputs at the top of the window must be adapted.
1. Select the final stage as this is the most critical, enter a pile length From <14 m>
Downto <13 m> with a Decrement of <0.25 m> and click Start again.
The results (Figure 9-5) show that the minimum stable length is approximately
13.25 m. It seems acceptable to reduce the sheet piling length from 16 m to
13.5 m, whilst still leaving a good safety margin.
2. In the Sheet Piling window from the Construction menu, change the Section bottom
level from <-16 m> to <-13.5 m>.
See [§ 20.4] for more details on designing sheet piling lengths.

9.4 Verify the modified sheet piling length (Steps 9, 9.7, 10,
11.1 and 11.3 of the CUR 166 design procedure)
The sheet piling design calculation just performed [§ 9.3] does not provide a lot of
results about the moments, shear forces and displacements of the wall, or about which
combination between steps 6.1 to 6.5 gives the most unfavorable results. It does not
check all combinations required according to CUR 166. To get all of this information, a
Verify Sheet Piling calculation must be performed for the modified length of 13.5 m.
9.4.1 Verification calculation
1. Select Verify Sheet Piling in the Calculation menu.

2. In the window displayed, select Partial Factors (design values) in all stages
(method I) in the CUR method sub-window, as partial factors are applied to all
construction stages for a Method I check.
3. Select the safety class <II> and leave the Anchor stiffness multiplication factor as its
default value of 1.
4. Mark the Check stability for all stages checkbox to check the overall stability of this
project according to step 11.3 of the CUR 166 design procedure.
5. Then click the Start button.
Figure 9-6 – Verify Sheet Piling window
See [§ 20.5] for more details on verifying sheet piling.

TUTORIAL 103
9.4.2 Verification Report
• To view the results of the verification, choose Verification Report in the Results
menu.
Figure 9-7 – Verification report window, Summary section
In the Summary section at the beginning of the Verification Report, it can be seen that
the results for step 6.3 are the same as those of Figure 9-4 for a sheet pile length of
13.5 m. (The Design Sheet Piling Length option only checks for step 6.3 as it is intended
as a rough guide rather than a full verification.) In other words, the maximum moment
is -515 kNm, the maximum mobilized moment is 85 % and the maximum mobilized
resistance is 87 %. As the maximum displacement is given only for step 6.5 in the
Summary section, no direct comparison is possible with the value of -189 mm found
from Figure 9-5. The displacements diagram must be used.
• Open the Verification Moment/Force/Displacement Charts window from the

Results menu.
In the window displayed (Figure 9-8), note that the maximum displacement occurs
when selecting the last construction stage and <Step 6.3> at the top of the window.
The maximum displacement is now greater than -189 mm, the value obtained from the
Design Sheet Piling Length in Figure 9-5 for a sheet pile length of 13.5 m. This is due to
the exaggeration of unfavorable conditions in previous stages, caused by applying the
partial factor set to all stages.
The Overall Stability section (Figure 9-9) of the Verification Report estimates the overall
stability for the verified stage using the Bishop method with circular slip planes. See
[chapter 27] for background information. As the stability factor is more than 1 for all
stages, the wall will be stable according to the Bishop method.
Figure 9-8 – Verification Moment/Force/Displacement Charts window
Figure 9-9 – Verification report window, Overall stability, shown for the final stage
NOTE: The Overall Stability can also be determined using the Overall Stability window
from the Calculation menu by selecting the appropriate safety class and stage.
TUTORIAL 105
The verification report also contains the modified values of the soil parameters and
levels. See [§ 21.3] and [§ 21.5] for more details on the verification report and charts.
9.5 Conclusion
The Design Sheet Piling Length option allows the minimum stable length for the sheet
piling to be found, using a global check according to CUR 166. After inputting this new
length, a complete verification can be performed with the Verify Sheet Piling option
giving more final results. CUR Method I applies the same partial factor set to all
construction stages.
10
10 Tutorial 8: Design code
checking (CUR 166, Method II)
In the previous tutorial [chapter 9], a “Method I” design according to the CUR 166
procedure was performed, which means that partial factors and level variations were
applied to all stages. To perform a “Method II” design, these partial factors need to be
applied only to the most unfavorable stage. The Verify Sheet Piling calculation is used
in place of the Design Sheet Piling Length option as it is more comprehensive, and CUR
specific.

• To perform a Method II verification of sheet piling stability, according to the
CUR 166 design code, by applying partial factors and level variations to the most
adverse stage only.

• CUR verification module.
The same input file as Tutorial 7 is used, but a different verification calculation will be
performed. The project is illustrated in Figure 10-1 below:
pre-stress 80 kN/m'
-2.0
stage 1 stage 2
-7.0
stage 3
Figure 10-1 – Three stages of excavation, with installation of an anchor and lowering
of the water level
The design of this sheet pile wall with a single anchor is performed by applying partial
factors on soil properties and level variations on the surface and water levels for the
final stage, as this stage is the most adverse.
10.2 Verification of the sheet piling, Method II
1. Open the MSheet input file <Tutorial-7.shi> and save it as <Tutorial-8.shi>.

2. From the Calculation menu, select Verify Sheet Piling.
3. In the window displayed, select Partial Factors (design values) in verified stage only
in the CUR method sub-window as design values according to the CUR 166
procedure are applied to only one stage for a Method II check.
TUTORIAL 109
4. Mark the fourth checkbox to select stage 3 <Excavate and lower water level> as a
stage for which verification is to be performed. Then select the safety class <II> for
this stage and leave the Anchor stiffness multiplication factor as its default value
of 1.
5. Mark the Check stability for all verified stages checkbox to check the overall
stability of this stage of the project according to step 11.3 of the CUR 166 design
procedure.
6. Then click the Start button.
Figure 10-2 – Verify Sheet Piling window
See [§ 20.5] for more details on verify sheet piling calculations.
NOTE: Method II applies partial factors and level changes only to the final stage.
Therefore, theoretically, every stage must be verified as the final stage, using the
appropriate safety class. The stages to be verified as a final stage are selected in the
Verify Sheet Piling window. To perform a complete method II verification for a
construction with n stages involves n! calculations. For this tutorial it has been
decided to only check the final stage. We therefore cannot conclude anything about
the performance of the previous construction stages. [§ 29.2] gives more information
about the differences between method I and method II.
10.3 Verification Report
• To view the results, select Verification Report in the Results menu.
Figure 10-3 – Verification Report window, Summary section
After comparison with the results of the previous tutorial where the partial factors
were applied to all stages (Figure 9-7), some differences appear on the calculated
values of stage 3. For instance, the moment for step 9.1 in stage 3 is -525 kNm using
Method II, but -515 kNm using Method I. However, as those differences are quite small,
it can be deduced that the influence of the differences in the two first stages on the
last stage is minimal in this tutorial case.
10.4 Conclusion
Applying partial factors on the representative input values in all stages will give
different results to when applying them only in one of the stages. The CUR 166 design
procedure allows both methods. Applying partial factors to the final stage only
(Method II) can result in a more economical design, but requires verification of each
stage as the “final stage”.
11
11 Tutorial 9: Verify anchor
stability (Kranz method)
This example illustrates how to check the stability of an anchor wall. For background
information, see "Allowable anchor force" [chapter 26].

• To check the stability of an anchor applied to a sheet pile wall.
• To learn how to increase the allowable force for an anchor.

• CUR verification model
The same input file as Tutorial 3 is used. The anchor plate/wall stability is only
checked for the last stage as it is the most unfavorable stage for which the anchor is
present. The geometry of this situation is shown in below.
25.0
GL=0
-2.0 2.0
CLAY
-4.0
-6.0 PEAT
CLAY
AZ 13
-13.0
SAND
-16.0
Figure 11-1 – Excavation showing anchor to be checked
• Open the input file <Tutorial-3.shi>, and save it with a new name:
<Tutorial-9.shi>.
11.2 Allowable anchor force
The verification of the anchor stability is performed using the Allowable Anchor Force
option in the Calculation menu. However, this option is available only if the CUR
verification option in the Model window is selected.
1. Open the Model window from the Project menu.
2. In the window displayed, select the c, phi, delta model to make the option CUR
verification available, and select it.
3. Click OK to close the window. A Confirm window appears. Click OK to confirm this
choice.
4. In the Calculation menu, select Allowable Anchor Force to check if the stability of
the anchor is reached.
5. Select the last stage in the Construction stage sub-window and click the Start
button.
TUTORIAL 113
Figure 11-2 – Allowable Anchor Force window
According to the results (Figure 11-2), the actual anchor force is 135 kN whereas the
allowable anchor force is 196 kN. Therefore, the anchor wall is stable.
There are different ways to increase the allowable anchor force in case of unstable
anchors: inclining the anchor downwards, increasing the sheet piling length, increasing
the anchor length, or lowering the application point of the anchor. To decrease the
actual anchor force, the anchor properties must be modified, or the spacing between
anchors can be reduced – this will correspond to an increase in the cross sectional area
per running meter (/m’).
• Click the Draw Results button. The window displayed (Figure 11-3) shows the
active and passive slip surfaces on the anchor wall.
For more details on the passive and active anchor wall pressures calculation, see
[chapter 26].
Figure 11-3 – Allowable Anchor Force Results window
11.3 Conclusion
MSheet can calculate the allowable force in an anchor making it possible for the user to
compare this value to the actual force in the anchor. To increase the allowable anchor
force the sheet piling length can be increased, the anchor can be inclined, it can be
made longer or it can be applied lower down the wall.
12
12 Tutorial 10: Modelling of
combi-walls
This example illustrates the analysis of a combined wall with a variable flexural
stiffness. For background information, see “Combination with piles” [§ 32.1].

• To enter a combined pile and sheet piling wall using MSheet’s combined wall
wizard.
• To make the necessary corrections to the earth pressure coefficients to
compensate for arching of the piles below the depth of the sheet piling.

• C, phi, delta (Culmann) model, optional for second part of the exercise
This example models a single stage excavation with a combined wall consisting of King
piles connected along the upper part by sheet piling, as show in Figure 12-1. It follows
that the flexural stiffness of the upper and lower parts is different. The soil profile
consists of two clay layers of thickness 5 m and 1 m respectively, with a sand layer
below. The layer properties are provided in Table 12-1.
GL=0
-1.0
CLAY HZ775C-12+PU
-5.0
DEEP CLAY -6.0 DEEP CLAY
SAND
SAND
HZ775C-12
-10.0
Figure 12-1 – One stage excavation with a combined wall
The center-to-center distance between the piles is 2.33 m. The King pile is an H-profile,
by Arbed, type HZ775C-12, has a diameter of 0.53 m, a wall thickness of 10 mm and a
flexural stiffness of 847035 kNm2. The sheet piling between each pair of piles consist of
three sheet piling sections, type PU 12, each part having a width a 0.6 m and a flexural
stiffness of 45360 kNm2/m. The length of the piles is 10 m and the length of the sheet
piling is 5 m.
TUTORIAL 117
Plan view
sheet piling
(EI=54360 kN/m2)
2,33m
RL 0m
clay
RL -5m
deep clay
0,6m RL -6m
5m
sand
RL -10m
0,53m Pile (EI=847035 kN/m2)
Figure 12-2 – Combined wall example: dimensions and soil profile
One section of the combined wall, consisting of one pile and three sheet-piling parts,
will be considered for calculation purposes. Output of discrete moments and forces is
required for this section. The calculation of the action width and the flexural stiffness
per running meter can be performed conveniently, by using the combined wall wizard
[§ 19.2.3].

Clay Deep Clay Sand
Friction angle [deg] 20 20 30
Delta friction angle [deg] 10 10 20
Mod. Subgrade Reaction: Virgin Loading [kN/m²] 800 1600 25000
12.2 General input
The following steps permit the definition of the soil layers, surfaces, profiles and water
levels for this tutorial:
1. Create a new project by clicking New Project in the File menu, and save it with the
name <Tutorial-10.shi>.
2. Open the Model window from the Project menu and select Ka, Ko, Kp soil
parameters, deselect the Check vertical balance and the CUR verification options as
they are not used in this example.
12.3 Combined Wall
Now the combined wall shown in Figure 12-2 can be modeled.

1. Open the Sheet Piling window from the Construction menu and click the Combined
Wall… button.
2. In the window displayed, select the appropriate pile and sheet pile types that will
be used in the wall by clicking the “…”button: for the Piles, select the
<HZ775C-12> type and for the Sheet pile select the <PU 12> type. The Name and
the Stiffness EI are automatically filled in. Enter the Number of sheet piles between
each pair of piles as 3. For the other values, see Figure 12-3 below or refer to Figure
12-2.
Figure 12-3 – Design Combined Wall window

As a result, the acting width, flexural stiffness and bottom levels of the combined
wall are automatically calculated by MSheet in the Sheet Piling window, as shown
in Figure 12-4 below.
Figure 12-4 – Sheet Piling window

TUTORIAL 119
These calculated values have been checked in the Verification Section, see [§ 33.21].
The combination wall calculation process is also explained in [§ 32.1].
12.4 Modified soil reaction along pile
12.4.1 Using the Ka, Ko, Kp - model
The amount of soil that will react if pile displacement occurs is usually larger than the
pile width as a result of arching [§ 32.1.2]. Therefore the soil properties along the
lower part of the combined wall must be modified, using equations ( 36 ) to ( 39 ). The
applied shell factor s is 2 for clay and 2.5 for sand. These values are examples; in a real
case they must be obtained from tests or calculations. For more information, see
[§ 32.1.2]. A shell factor of 1 is applied for soils in contact with the sheet piling as the
sheet piling prevents arching from taking place. The unmodified values per unit area
are obtained by first using the MSheet calculation formula by Muller-Breslau (straight
slip surfaces) [§ 19.3.2].
Table 12-2 – Earth pressure coefficients according to Muller-Breslau and modulus of

subgrade reaction followed by earth pressure coefficients and modulus of subgrade
reaction modified for the effect of arching.
Clay Deep Clay Sand
Earth pressure coefficients Ka 0.44 0.44 0.28
according to Muller-Breslau K0 0.66 0.66 0.50
Kp 2.60 2.60 5.74
Modulus of subgrade reaction: k 800 1600 25000
virgin loading [kN/m²]
Shell factor s 1 2 2.5
Modified earth pressure coefficients Ka* = Ka / s 0.44 0.22 0.11
using the shell factor K0* = K0 0.66 0.66 0.50
Kp* =Kp × s 2.60 5.20 14.35
Modified modulus of subgrade k* = sk 800 3200 62 500
reaction: virgin loading [kN/m²]
1. Open the Surfaces window from the Soil menu and define two surfaces with names
<Left> and <Right> with levels 0 m and -5 m respectively.
2. Open the Layers window from the Soil menu, and define the soils using the
parameters given in Table 12-1, using the Muller-Breslau (straight slip surfaces)
method for an automatic calculation of the Earth pressure coefficients by MSheet.
Select Tangent with 1 as the Number of curves for spring characteristics in the Curve
Settings window to allow input of the modulus of subgrade reaction as given in
Table 12-2.
3. In the Soil Layers window, select the Manual calculation of Earth pressure
coefficients for <Deep Clay> and <Sand> and enter the modified values according to
Table 12-2.
4. Open the Profiles window from the Soil menu and define the soil profile shown in
Figure 12-1, with the top levels of <Clay>, <Deep Clay> and <Sand> at 0 m, -5 m
and -6 m respectively.
5. Open the Water Levels window of the Soil menu, and define a water level named
<WL> at -1 m.
6. Open the Stages Overview window of the Stages menu to define the left and right
surfaces.
7. In the Start Calculation window, click OK to calculate the results.
12.4.2 Results using the Ka, Ko, Kp - model
The calculation results can be found in the report.

1. Start the calculation by selecting Start in the Calculation menu and clicking OK.
When the calculation is complete close the Calculation Progress window.
2. In the Results menu, click Report.
Figure 12-5 – Report window, Sheet Piling Properties section
In the first section Input data of the report, the input data can be found. The stiffness
EI of the upper and lower sections is given in kNm2. This value corresponds to the
stiffness per running meter calculated in [§ 12.3], multiplied by the acting width:
• Upper section: EI = 3.9858 105 × 2.33 = 9.2869 105 kNm2
• Lower section: EI = 1.5982 106 × 0.53 = 8.4705 105 kNm2
NOTE: The stiffness is presented as discrete bending stiffness per working width and
not per meter!
TUTORIAL 121
The resulting moments and forces apply to one full section of the wall, consisting of
one pile and three sheet-piling parts. The maximum moment acting on the upper 5 m
can be seen by opening the Moment/Force/Displacement Charts from the Results menu
and right clicking over the moment graph to select the Chart Data. Scrolling down to a
Depth of 5m shows that the maximum moment in this part is 120 kNm at the level of
-5 m. The maximum moment acting on the lower 5 m is 212 kNm. The pile therefore
has to be able to resist 212 kNm. If the maximum is reached in the upper part, it is
common practice to assume that this maximum moment acts on the pile only. The
dimensioning of the sheet piling is usually based on the transmission of moments in
the horizontal direction, and is therefore outside the scope of this example.
Figure 12-6 – Moment/Force/Displacement Chart for combined wall using Ka, Ko and Kp
with shell factors
12.4.3 Using the c, phi, delta model (Culmann)
As an alternative to the calculation formula for straight slip surfaces, Culmann’s

c, phi, delta method [§ 19.6.2] can also be applied. In this case, the factor on the
lateral earth pressure coefficients must be modified separately for all points by hand.
This method is time consuming, but using the Culmann method allows the values of
the earth pressure coefficients to vary across the soil layers.
This can be done by the following steps:

1. Save the input under a new name, such as <Tutorial-10b.shi>.
2. In the Model window of the Project menu, select the c, phi, delta soil
parameters model.
3. In the Start Calculation window, the lateral earth pressure ratios calculated by the
Culmann method can be optionally viewed and modified. To do so, select the
Manual option from the Recalculation earth pressure coefficients sub-window.
4. Click the Recalculation and than the Editor button to edit the earth pressure
coefficients in the Fictive Earth Pressure Coefficients window as described below.
Figure 12-7 – Fictive Earth Pressure Coefficients window, as calculated using the
Culmann method
5. In the window displayed (Figure 12-7) the values are as calculated using the
Culmann method. They need to be modified by dividing Ka by s and by multiplying
Kp by s, on both sides of the sheet pile wall. Results for the Right side of the sheet
pile are given in Figure 12-8 below. Please note that different s values need to be
applied for different layers.
Figure 12-8 – Fictive Earth Pressure Coefficients window after modification of the Ka
and Kp values
TUTORIAL 123
6. Click OK to close the window and then Start to perform a calculation.
NOTE: To return the Earth pressure coefficients to their previous, automatically

calculated values, click the Recalculation button.
NOTE: It is possible to copy data from the Fictive Earth Pressure Coefficients table to
a spreadsheet, for easy incorporation of the different shell factors. The updated table
can than be pasted back into MSheet.
12.4.4 Results using the c, phi, delta model (Culmann)
By performing the calculation and viewing the results for the two cases, using
Ka, Ko, Kp or c, phi, delta it can be seen that the results for the two methods are of
the same order of magnitude. The latter results can be seen in Figure 12-9. For more
complex situations the difference can be quite substantial.
Figure 12-9 - Moment/Force/Displacement Chart for combined wall using Culmann with
shell factors
12.5 Conclusion
The combined wall wizard is a useful tool for inputting a combined wall: it converts the
constituent parts into the correct MSheet model. Earth pressure coefficients need to be
modified for the soil layers where only the piles are present, to compensate for
arching.
13
13 Tutorial 11: Non-hydrostatic
pore pressure distribution
In this example, the sheet pile wall has a water-retaining function in addition to the
standard soil-retaining function. The difference in water pressures on either side of the
wall gives rise to water seepage under the toe of the wall. This effect is taken into
account in MSheet by inputting appropriate additional pore pressures. For background
information, see [§ 32.4].

• To calculate and input the additional pore pressure distribution in order to model
the total pore pressures caused by the water flow under the toe of the sheet
piling.
• To analyze the effect of these pressures on the sheet pile wall.

This example involves a pit excavation in stratified soil. On the right hand side, the
surface level is 0 m. The water table is at -1 m. The pit is excavated on the left hand
side to -9 m. The pit excavation is kept dry by means of open drainage. The water table
in the pit excavation is at -10 m. This means that there is a difference in water
pressure of 9 x 10 = 90 kPa. Two struts at -2 m and -7 m support the sheet piling.
5.0m
GL=0
-1.0
-2.0
Strut 1
-7.0
Strut 2 CLAY
-9.0
-10.0 AZ 14
CLAY -12.0
-13.0
PEAT PEAT
SAND
-18.0
Figure 13-1 – Pit excavation with water flow under the sheet pile wall

Clay Peat Sand
Friction angle phi [deg] 17 20 32
Delta friction angle [deg] 11 0 21
Earth pressure coefficients [-] Muller Muller Kotter
Mod. Subgrade Reaction (top side) [kN/m²] 800 500 10 000
Mod. Subgrade Reaction (bottom side) [kN/m²] 1 200 500 20 000
Permeability [m/s] 10-8 10-9 10-3
TUTORIAL 127
13.2 Additional pore pressure
The sand is relatively permeable. The pressure head differences occur, therefore, over
the clay layer and the peat layer. To determine the effect of the water flow, the
additional pore water pressures are calculated on both sides of the sheet piling using
equation ( 43 ) in [§ 32.4]:
di 1
(2) Δw i = Δh ⋅ γ w ⋅ ⋅
∑k
ki di
i
On the low side this leads to:
2 1
(3) Δw clay = 9 ⋅ 10 ⋅ −8
⋅ = 5.5kN / m2
10 ⎛ 2 1 1 11 ⎞
⎜ − 8 + −9 + −9 + −8 ⎟
⎝ 10 10 10 10 ⎠
1 1
(4) Δw peat = 9 ⋅ 10 ⋅ ⋅ = 27.3kN / m2
10 −9 ⎛ 2 1 1 11 ⎞
⎜ − 8 + −9 + − 9 + − 8 ⎟
⎝ 10 10 10 10 ⎠
On the high side this leads to:
11 1
(5) Δw clay = −9 ⋅ 10 ⋅ ⋅ = −30.0kN / m2
10 − 8 ⎛ 2 1 1 11 ⎞
⎜ − 8 + −9 + −9 + −8 ⎟
⎝ 10 10 10 10 ⎠
1 1
(6) Δw peat = −9 ⋅ 10 ⋅ ⋅ = −27.3kN / m2
10 −9 ⎛ 2 1 1 11 ⎞
⎜ −8 + −9 + −9 + −8 ⎟
⎝ 10 10 10 10 ⎠
Note that the sum of the magnitudes of these additional pore pressures is 90 kN/m2
(ignoring rounding errors) which is the same as the pressure difference between the
levels of the two phreactic surfaces. It can also be seen that the water pressure on both
sides of the toe of the sheet pile is the same (ignoring rounding errors):
6 × 10 + (5.5 + 27.3) = 150 – (30.0 + 27.3) = 92.8.
0.0
-1.0
clay
ΔWpeat
-9.0 ΔWclay
-10.0
ΔWpeat
-12.0
25.5 20.0 80.0 110.0
62.8 30.0 peat -13.0
62.7 120.0
ΔWclay sand
62.8 60.0 92.7 150.0
total hydrostatic total hydrostatic
pressure pressure pressure pressure
Figure 13-2 – Water pressures distribution on both sides of sheet piling
NOTE: In general, this approximation method is sufficient. For cases with a major
difference in water pressure, or for very critical cases, a flow calculation should be
performed using a specialized program, such as Delft GeoSystems’ MSeep.
13.3 General input
The geometry of Figure 13-1 is inputted in MSheet.

1. Create a new file with the name <Tutorial-11.shi>.
2. In the Model window, select the Ka, Ko, Kp – model. Deselect the Check vertical
balance option as it is not used in this tutorial.
3. In Sheet Piling window, define a sheet pile with a stiffness of 44730 kNm2/m’ by
choosing an AZ14 profile from Arbed and enter its top and bottom positions
according to Figure 13-1.
4. In the Surfaces window, define two surfaces at the levels 0 m and -9 m.
5. In the Soil Layers window, define the three materials as shown in Table 13-1.
6. In the Soil Profiles window, enter the additional pore water pressures distribution
as shown in Figure 13-2 and calculated in [§ 13.2]. The <Clay> layer is separated at
the water table level into two layers (as shown in Figure 13-3 for the left side and
Figure 13-4 for the soil profile on the right side). MSheet will assume a linear
distribution between these values.
TUTORIAL 129
Figure 13-3 – Soil Profiles window with additional pore pressures on left side
Figure 13-4 – Soil Profiles window with additional pore pressures on right side
7. In the Water Levels window, define two water levels of -1 m and -10 m.
8. In the Water Properties window, enter a unit weight of 10 kN/m3.
9. In the Struts window from the Supports menu, define two struts at levels -2 m and
-7 m with properties as indicated in Figure 13-5. As only half of the problem is
considered due to symmetry, the length of the strut needs to be entered as 5.0 m.
In this example buckling is not taken into account, therefore a large value for the
buckling force is entered.
10. In the Stages Overview window, activate these different inputs as indicated in
Figure 13-1 by selecting them in the appropriate sub-window.
Figure 13-5 – Struts window
13.4 Water pressure results
The water pressure distribution calculated by MSheet can be checked.

1. In the Start calculation window of the Calculation menu, click Start.
2. In the Stress State Charts window of the Results menu (Figure 13-6), click the right
mouse button and select View Data.
Figure 13-6 – Stress State Chart window

TUTORIAL 131
3. In the window displayed (Figure 13-7), read the water pressures values at different
depths at the left side in the Water Pressure Left tab. They are the sum of the
excess pore water pressure and the hydrostatic water pressure (γw × depth)
Figure 13-7 – Chart Data window, Water Pressure Left tab
4. Open the Moment/Force/Displacements window to view the effect of this seepage

on the construction.
Figure 13-8 – Moment/Force/Displacement Charts including the effects of the

additional pore pressures
13.5 Conclusion
Water flow under the toe of a sheet pile wall causes a pore pressure distribution in the
surrounding soil that is not proportional to the depth below the water table. The
correct total pressure distribution can be modeled by calculating and inputting
additional pore pressures for each soil layer.
14
14 Tutorial 12: Modelling of
loads with limited dimensions
This example illustrates the method used to calculate the effect on a sheet pile wall of
a surcharge load with limited dimensions in two directions. This could be, for instance,
the load from a crane near a harbor wall. For background information, see [§ 32.2].

• To model a load with limited size in the directions parallel and perpendicular to
the sheet pile wall.

• C, phi, delta (Culmann) model module.
This tutorial example models a harbor wall construction, similar to the construction in
Tutorial 3. The sheet pile wall is designed to resist a platform load (extending
infinitely) of 20 kN/m². In addition, there is a crane load of a total of F = 600 kN,
acting over a surface area of b = 1.5 m × L = 1.5 m. The front of the crane is located at
d = 1.5 m behind the wall, as indicated in Figure 14-1. The lower part of Figure 14-1
also indicates how this load is to be modeled.
Top view Platform load = 20 kN/m2
Crane load F = 600 kN
1,5m
d1=1.5m
45o
d2=2.25m
q1
q2
Platform load = 20 kN/m2

GL=0
-1.5
-2.0
2.0
CLAY
PEAT
-7.0
CLAY AZ 13 CLAY
-13.0
SAND -16.0
Figure 14-1 – Modeling a load with limited size parallel to the sheet piling
TUTORIAL 135
14.2 General input
1. Open <Tutorial-3.shi> by clicking Open in the File menu, and save it with the name
<Tutorial-12.shi>.
2. Open the Model window from the Project menu and select the c, phi, delta model
since surcharge loads are used in this example.
3. Deselect the Check vertical balance and the CUR verification options as they are not
used in this example.
14.3 Modeling of load with limited size parallel to the sheet

piling
The crane load has a limited size parallel to the sheet piling. In order to model it in
MSheet, this load is considered in two parts in order to roughly model the changing
width of the load spread as a function of its distance from the sheet pile wall. Each
part is modeled as being distributed over an assumed load spread angle of 45° (see
Figure 14-1). This produces the following distribution formula:
F L
(7) qi = ⋅
L ⋅ b L + 2di
Therefore:
F 600
(8) q1 = = = 88.89kN / m2
b(L + 2d1 ) 1.5 x (1.5 + 2x1.5)
(from 1.5 m to 2.25 m behind the wall)
F 600
(9) q2 = = = 66.67kN / m2
b(L + 2d2 ) 1.5 x (1.5 + 2x2.25)
(from 2.25 m to 3 m behind the wall).
NOTE: This crane load could be treated as just one part, since it has a rectangular
shape. It has been considered in two parts for better accuracy. For more information on
modeling loads with limited dimensions see [§ 32.2].
The platform and crane loads can now be inputted:

1. Select Uniform Loads in the Loads menu, and enter a load of 20 kN/m2 on the right
side. Use the name <Platform load> for easy reference in the Stages Overview.
2. Select Surcharge Loads in the Loads menu to enter the crane load.
3. In the window displayed, add a surcharge with the name <Crane load> as shown in
Figure 14-1. The <Crane load> has the distribution given in Figure 14-2 below.
4. In the Stage Manager, add a 4th stage, named <Platform load and crane load>.
5. In the Stage Overview window, activate the uniform load and the surcharge by
selecting them in the Surcharges right sub-window, as indicated in Figure 14-3.
Figure 14-3 – Stage Overview window

TUTORIAL 137
6. Start the calculation by selecting Start from the Calculations menu.
14.4 Results
As a result of the platform load and the crane load the bending moments have
increased, as indicated in Figure 14-4.
• Open the Moment/Force/Displacement Charts window to see the effect of the
increased loading. The maximum bending moment has increased to 405 kNm.
Figure 14-4 – Results for the final stage
14.5 Conclusion
Loads with a limited size parallel to the sheet pile wall need to be adjusted so their
effect can be correctly calculated. This modification is performed by assuming the load
acts over the wall within the limits of lines extending at 45° from the front of where
the load is applied.
15
15 Tutorial 13: Preventing pile
driving failure using
experience data
This tutorial example looks at the risk of pile driving failure that may occur in practice.
The risk of pile driving failure largely depends on the sheet pile length, resisting
moment, soil conditions and of course the pile driving equipment. In general a sheet
pile wall design is checked according to design standards. Using the E-Consult module
it is also possible to check the feasibility of the design as well. The E-Consult module
allows for two different checks. The first check compares results of the MSheet design
to (NVAF) charts for different kind of piling driving vibrators and different soil
conditions. The second check displays the design on graphs, alongside real experiences.

• To compare the design using the E-Consult module for NVAF-experience lines.
• To compare the design using the E-Consult module for experience data from
various projects.

• CUR verification module
• E-Consult module
This tutorial involves the three-stage excavation as used in Tutorial 7. In Tutorial 7,

the design was checked for stability according to the CUR 166 design procedure. In this
example the E-Consult module will be used to check the feasibility of the design.
15.2 E-Consult NVAF Experience lines
This tutorial example makes use of the added value of the MSheet E-consult module,
which provides pile driving experience data to aid the user in feasibility decisions. For
more information on the E-Consult module, NVAF lines and experience data see
[chapter 22].
1. Open <Tutorial-7.shi> and save it with the name <Tutorial-13.shi>.
2. From the E-consult menu, open the Sheet Pile Installation window. MSheet will now
contact, on-line, to the GeoBrain experience database.
3. For the first part of this tutorial, a theoretical comparison with the Dutch NVAF
lines is of interest. Select Show NVAF lines in the upper left hand corner of the
window. The LF 5 chart is selected by default for low frequency driving, in a soil
with an average cone resistance of 5 MPa along the pile.
Figure 15-1 – E-Consult Sheet Pile Installation window, showing NAVF lines
In the graph displayed (Figure 15-1), the current sheet piling input is indicated by a
blue mark. As this mark lies below the NVAF-lines, successful pile driving should be
guaranteed for this type of sheet piling with a length of 13.5 m and a resisting
moment of 1300 cm³/m’.
By selecting different graphs from the Experience lines NVAF list it can be seen that the
design considered does not meet the feasibility criteria for all combinations of cone
resistances and frequencies. Hence some care should be taken. From the graphs one
can also get an idea of the capacity needed for successful pile driving. In this case
(LF 5) a minimum capacity of 800 kN seems necessary.
Click the Browse button on the right side of the Resisting moment input field.
TUTORIAL 141
In the table displayed, it can be seen that the < AZ 13> sheet piling profile has a
resisting moment, W of 1300 cm3/m’. By selecting different sheet piles and clicking
Select the user can return to the E-Consult Sheet Pile Installation window to directly see
the influence on the feasibility. The manual input selected for Resisting moment is
indicated by a black square in the graphs. The blue dot, indicating the MSheet design,
will not change until a different pile length or sheet piling has been inputted and
calculated or verified.
15.3 E-Consult Experiences
1. Select Show Experiences in the Sheet Pile Installation window. A screen similar to
Figure 15-2 will appear. Users without a license for the E-Consult module will only
see a limited number of experiences. Once again, the MSheet design will appear as
a blue dot.
Figure 15-2 – E-Consult Sheet Pile Installation window, showing Experiences
For this tutorial example, the MSheet design seems to be surrounded by different
experiences labeled as “Poor”. The user should check if these experiences are
indeed comparable to the MSheet design.
2. Select one of the nearby “Poor” experiences, using the mouse. On the right hand
side, additional information, including a soil profile is shown.
For translation of the Dutch headings please refer to [§ 22.2].

15.4 Conclusion
After checking a sheet pile wall for stability, the E-Consult module can be used to
check the chosen sheet piling feasibility for driving. The chosen sheet piling can be
compared to experience data and NVAF lines. If the sheet piling is changed to give
better driving feasibility then it needs to be re-checked for stability.
16
16 Tutorial 14: Horizontally
loaded pile (mooring post)
This tutorial example illustrates the use of the Single pile model in MSheet.
The calculation of forces and displacements for a mooring pile loaded by a ship is
performed here.

• To use the single pile model of MSheet to analyze a pile subjected to a horizontal
force.

• Single pile module.
In this example, the stability of a mooring post that is subject to a ship load is verified.
The maximum displacement of the pile is to be calculated in order to check that it is
less then 10 cm. Figure 16-1 shows the problem geometry, and the relevant soil
parameters are given in Table 16-1.
Ship load 500 kN -0.5

-2.0
-4.5
CLAY -6.8
-8.3 SAND
-9.6
CLAY 2
-11.6 SAND 2
CLAY 3 -13.2
SAND 3 SAND 3
-20.5
Figure 16-1 – Pile (mooring post) loaded horizontally (by a ship)

Clay Sand Clay 2 Sand 2 Clay 3 Sand 3
Un. total unit weight [kN/m³] 15 18 15 18 17 18
Sat. total unit weight [kN/m³] 15 20 15 20 17 20
(Drained) Cohesion [kN/m²] 0 0 10 0 10 0
Friction angle [deg] 22.5 32.5 22.5 32.5 17.5 32.5
E-Modulus Menard [kN/m²] 2000 2000 4000 4000 4000 9000
Soil type Menard [-] Clay Sand Clay Sand Clay Sand
16.2 Pile loaded by forces
1. Create a new project.

2. Select the Single pile model in the Model window from the Project menu.
3. Choose the first option for this model: Pile loaded by forces.
TUTORIAL 145
To enter the pile data:

1. Open the Pile window from the Construction menu and enter a pile consisting of
one single element named <Mooring post>, with a top level of -0.5 m and a bottom
level of -20.5 m, i.e. a length of 20 m.
2. In this example a steel tubular pile is used, having a diameter of 1200 mm and a
stiffness of 4,000,000 kNm2.
Figure 16-3 – Pile window
NOTE: The Pile window is similar to the Sheet Piling window for the Sheet Piling
model, but the parameters differ because of the dimensions of the input.
Also the available options in the main menu are slightly different. Note also that
working with construction stages is not possible for the single pile model.
16.3 Soil and Loads input
1. Open the Surfaces window from the Soil menu, and define a surface at -4.5 m.
2. Open the Soil Layers window from the Soil menu, and define the soils as given in
Table 16-1. Select Brinch-Hansen as the method to be used to calculate the earth
pressure coefficients.
Figure 16-4 – Soil Layers window
3. Enter the Soil Profiles as shown in Figure 16-5.
4. Open the Water Levels window from the Soil menu, and enter a water level of -2 m.
NOTE: The Brinch-Hansen and Menard method automatically takes into account the
effect of arching [§ 31.2], but if the user chooses to define their own coefficients then
they must modify them as described in [§ 31.1]. When using the Brinch-Hansen
TUTORIAL 147
method, the same soil layer should not be used at different depths in a profile, as the
strength is a function of depth. Instead a copy of the soil layer, with a different name,
should be made for the second depth. It is also recommended that thick soil layers are
split into two or more thinner layers [§ 31.2.1].
5. Open the Horizontal Force window from the Loads menu and enter a horizontal
force named <ship load> of 500 kN at a level of -0.5 m.
Figure 16-6 – Horizontal Force window
6. Select these different inputs in the Stage Overview window, such as the <ship load>
to activate them.
16.4 Results
1. Start a calculation and save the project using <Tutorial 14.shi> as file name. Note
that the pile is stable as no message is displayed to the contrary.
2. Open the Moment/Force/Displacement Charts window to view the results of the
calculation.
The maximum displacement of the pile is around 9 cm, which meets the condition that
was stated in the case description, of a maximum allowable displacement of 10 cm.
Please note that it should also be checked that the maximum allowable bending
moment is not exceeded.
Figure 16-7 – Moment/Force/Displacement Charts window
16.5 Conclusion
MSheet allows the modeling of simple single pile models, loaded by forces and
moments. The single pile module allows the effect of arching to be taken into account,
by application of Brinch-Hansen’s theory. The input and calculation method is similar
to that for a sheet pile wall.
17
17 Tutorial 15: Horizontal pile
deformation caused by
embankment
This tutorial gives another example of using the Single pile model in MSheet. In this
example the option Pile loaded by soil displacements is used.

• To analyze a single pile that is loaded by soil deformations.

• Single pile module.
In this case, calculations will be made for a foundation pile below a building. The
building is situated near a site where a road embankment will be constructed. It needs
to be verified that the maximum moment experienced by the pile after the
embankment is built does not exceed the maximum allowable value of 1000 kNm.
For this project, the effect of the road embankment is not implemented as a surcharge
load, but as a soil displacement load. This load is entered as an undisturbed soil
displacement, and should be given as input data for MSheet, for example by using a
program such as Plaxis, or by calculation with the De Leeuw method [Lit 21].
-0.5
-1.5
-2.5 SAND 1
CLAY 1
-4.5
CLAY 2
-6.5
CLAY 3
-8.5
CLAY 4
-10.5
-12.5
SAND 2
Figure 17-1 – Horizontal pile loaded by soil deformations caused by embankment raise

Sand 1 Clay Clay Clay Clay Sand
1 2 3 4 2
Unsat. total unit [kN/m³] 18 15 15 15 15 18
weight
Sat. total unit weight [kN/m³] 20 15 15 15 15 20
(Drained) Cohesion [kN/m²] 0 10 5 5 3 0
Friction angle [deg] 30 25 25 25 25 35
Mod. of Subgr Reaction [kN/m²] 5000 3000 1250 1500 1350 10000
Active Earth Pres. Coef [-] 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Neutral Earth Pres. [-] 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Coef
Passive Earth Pres. [-] 5.00 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 5.00
Coef
NOTE: Active and neutral earth pressure coefficients normally need to be set to zero
for the situation of a single pile loaded by soil displacement. This means that the input
value for the passive earth pressure coefficient leads to the effective resisting pressure,
taking the effect of arching into account. Selecting Brinch-Hansen will cause this to
happen automatically.
NOTE: For manual input the passive earth pressure coefficients need to be modified
manually by application of a shell factor to compensate for the phenomenon of
arching, see [§ 31.1].
TUTORIAL 151
17.2 Pile loaded by soil displacements
1. Create a new project and save it with the name <Tutorial-15.shi>. Select the Single
pile model in the Model window from the Project menu.
2. Choose the second option for this model: Pile loaded by soil displacements.
To enter the pile data:

1. Open the Pile window in the Construction menu
2. Enter a pile consisting of one single element, with a top level of -0.5 m and a
bottom level of -12.5 m, i.e. a length of 12 m. The stiffness EI of the pile is
63900 kNm², and the diameter is 40 cm.
17.3 Soil input
1. Open the Surfaces window from the Soil menu, and define a surface at level -0.5 m.
2. Open the Layers window from the Soil menu, and define the materials according to
Table 17-1.
3. Open the Soil Profiles window from the Soil menu, and define the soil profile as
shown in Figure 17-1.
4. Open the Water Levels window from the Soil menu, and enter a water level of
-1.5 m.
17.4 Soil Displacements
1. Open the Soil Displacements window from the Loads menu

2. Enter the displacements distribution along the sheet piling given in Figure 17-3
below. These displacements at the location of the pile are the output from an FEM
analysis of the displacements caused by the embankment.
Figure 17-3 – Soil Displacements window
The Input Diagram window confirms the entered Soil Displacements and Rigid Supports.

TUTORIAL 153
17.5 Rigid Support
1. Open the Rigid Supports window from the Supports menu.

2. Enter a rigid support which suppresses Translation of the sheet piling at level
-0.5 m. This represents the resistance to translation provided by the connection of
the pile to the building.
Figure 17-5 – Rigid Supports window
3. Active the rigid support in the Stage Overview window by selecting it.
17.6 Results
Start a calculation, and note that the pile is stable, as no message is displayed to the
contrary. The report shows that the maximum moment in the pile is around 136 kNm,
which is much less than the allowable maximum, so constructing the road embankment
should not cause problems for this pile.
Figure 17-6 – Report window showing the maximum moment
NOTE: The results of a calculation are highly influenced by the soil displacements
and the value of the horizontal subgrade modulus in the displacing soil layers.
17.7 Conclusion
MSheet also allows the analysis of single piles subjected to imposed soil deformations.
Introduction
Tutorial
Reference
Background
Verification
18
18 General
This chapter contains a detailed description of the available menu options for inputting
data for a sheet pile or diaphragm wall project, and for calculating and viewing the
results. The examples in the tutorial section provide a convenient starting point for
familiarization with the program.
18.1 File menu
Besides the familiar Windows options for opening and saving files, the File menu
contains a number of options specific to MSheet: File
• Copy Active Window to Clipboard
Use this option to copy the contents of the active window to the Windows
clipboard so that they can be pasted into another application. The contents will
be pasted in either text format or Windows Meta File format.
• Export Active Window
Use this option to export the contents of the active window as a Windows Meta
File (*.wmf), a Drawing Exchange File (*.dxf) or a text file (*.txt).
• Export Report
This option allows the report to be exported in a different format, such as pdf or
rtf.
• Page Setup
This option allows definition of the way MSheet plots and reports are to be
printed. The printer, paper size, orientation and margins can be defined as well as
whether and where axes are required for plots. Click Autofit to get MSheet to
choose the best fit for the page.
• Print Preview Active Window
This option will display a print preview of the current contents of the Input
Diagram or Results window.
• Print Active Window
This option prints the current contents of the Input Diagram or Results window.
18.2 Tools Options menu
On the menu bar, click Tools and then choose Options to open the corresponding input
window. In this window, the user can optionally define their own preferences for some
of the program’s default values.
18.2.1 View
Figure 18-1 – Program Options window, View tab
Toolbar Mark the relevant checkbox to display the toolbar and/or status
Status bar bar each time MSheet is started.
Title panel Mark this checkbox to display the project titles, as entered on
the Identification tab, in a panel at the bottom of the Input
Diagram window.
18.2.2 General
Figure 18-2 – Program Options window, General tab

REFERENCE 159
Startup with Click one of these toggle buttons to determine how a project
should be initiated each time MSheet is started.
No project: Use the buttons in the toolbar or the options in the
File menu to open an existing project or to start a new one.
Last used project: The last project to be worked on is opened
automatically.
New project: A new project is created comprising a sheet pile wall
with a "dummy" soil layer on both sides.
Note that the Startup with option is ignored when MSheet is
started by double-clicking on an input file.
Save on The toggle buttons determine how input data is saved prior to
calculation calculation. It can either be saved automatically, using the same
file name each time, or a file name can be specified every time
the data is saved.
Use Enter key to Use the toggle buttons to determine the way the Enter key is
used in MSheet: either as an equivalent of pressing the default
button (Windows style) or to shift the focus to the next item in
a window (for users accustomed to the DOS version(s) of the
program).
18.2.3 Directories
Figure 18-3 – Program Options window, Directories tab
Working directory MSheet will start up with a working directory for selection and
saving of files. Either choose to use the last used directory, or
specify a fixed path.
Directory for user Define the location of the file MSheetProfilesUser.xml. This file
defined pile contains the user-defined library with piles and sheet piling
library [§ 19.2.4].
18.2.4 Language
Figure 18-4 – Program Options window, Language tab
Interface language Currently, the only available interface language is English.

Output language Two output languages are supported: English and Dutch. The
selected output language will be used in all exported reports
and graphs.
18.2.5 Modules
Figure 18-5 – Program Options window, Modules tab
For an MSheet installation based on floating licenses, the Modules tab can be used to
claim a license for the particular modules that are to be used. If the Show at start of
program checkbox is marked then this window will always be shown at start-up.
For an MSheet installation based on a license dongle, the Modules tab will just show
the modules that may be used.
19
19 Input
Before analysis can be started, data for the sheet pile wall, soil, loads and supports
needs to be input.
19.1 Project menu
Each project starts with the selection of an analysis model and the entry of general
details about the project.
19.1.1 Model
On the menu bar, click Project and then choose Model to open the input window. In
this window the required analysis models can be selected.
Figure 19-1 – Project Model window

Model Select the Sheet piling option for analysis of sheet pile or
diaphragm walls.
or
Select the Single pile option for analysis of horizontally loaded
piles. The single pile option is only available in combination
with the corresponding module [§ 18.2.5].
Sheet piling Select the method for input of the lateral earth pressure ratio:
either the basic model (Ka, K0, Kp), the c, phi, delta model
(Culmann) or Mixed (to allow selection of the method for each
stage and side of the wall, using the Stages Overview window
[§ 19.6.2]). The Ka, Ko, Kp method gives constant earth
pressure coefficients over a soil layer, whilst the Culmann
method allows them to vary. The Culmann method also allows
calculation for non-horizontal surfaces and non-uniform loads.
Mark the CUR verification checkbox to enable the special
calculation functions for sheet piling design according to the
CUR 166 guidelines.
The Culmann model and the CUR verification options are only
available in combination with the corresponding modules
[§ 18.2.5].
Single pile Select the type of pile loading: forces or soil displacements.
19.1.2 Default Partial Factors
On the menu bar, click Project and then choose Default Partial Factors. This option is
only available if CUR verification has be selected in the Model window [§ 19.1.1]. In
this window the user-defined partial factors used for the following verification methods
can be entered:
• Design Sheet Piling Length [§ 20.4]
• Verify Sheet Piling [§ 20.5]
• Allowable Anchor Force [§ 20.6]
• Overall Stability [§ 20.7].
Figure 19-2 – Default Partial Factors window

REFERENCE 163
Factor on cohesion Enter the user defined partial factor applied to the cohesion.
Factor on tangent Enter the user defined partial factor applied to the tangent
phi value of the friction angle.
Factor on modulus Enter the user defined partial factor applied to the modulus of
of subgrade subgrade reaction.
reactions
Factor on driving Enter the user defined partial factor applied to the driving
moment (overall moment calculated during the Overall Stability verification
stability) [chapter 27].
Change in surface Enter the user defined change in height applied to the surface
level on passive level on the passive side.
side
Change in phreatic Enter the user defined change in height applied to the phreatic
line on passive line level on the passive side.
side
Change in phreatic Enter the user defined change in height applied to the phreatic
line on active side line level on the active side.
Partial material Enter the partial factor applied on the material for the vertical
factor (gamma force balance checking [chapter 28]. This is only available if the
mb;4) Check vertical balance option in the Model window is enabled
[§ 19.1.1].
The partial factors prescribed by the CUR 166 design procedure for three different
safety classes (I, II and III) are also reported in the Default Partial Factors window. The
CUR procedure also specifies a partial factor for unfavorable uniform loads in safety
class III – this factor is not included in this window as it is only applied to unfavorable
loads. The partial factor for uniform loads is specified in the Uniform Loads window
[§ 19.4.1].
For background information on partial factors and safety classes see [§ 29.2] and
[§ 29.3].
19.1.3 Project Properties
On the menu bar, click Project and then choose Properties to open the input window.
The Project Properties window has four tabs, which allow the settings for the current
project to be changed.
Project Properties - Identification

Use the Identification tab to specify the project identification data:
Figure 19-3 – Project Properties window, Identification tab
Titles Use Title 1 to give the project a unique, easily recognizable

name. Title 2 and Title 3 can be added to indicate specific
characteristics of the calculation. The three titles will be
included on printed output.
Date The date entered here will be used on printouts and graphic
plots for this project. Either mark the Use current date
checkbox to automatically use the current date on each
printout, or enter a specific date.
Drawn by Enter the name of the user performing the calculation or
generating the printout.
Project ID Enter a project identification number.
Annex ID Specify the annex number of the printout.
Enable the checkbox Save as default to use these settings every time MSheet is started
or a new project is created.
Project Properties – Diagram Settings

Use the Diagram Settings tab to specify the availability of components in the main
window and the layout settings for the Input Diagram window.
Figure 19-4 – Project Properties window, Diagram Settings tab

REFERENCE 165
Rulers Mark this checkbox to display the horizontal and vertical

rulers.
Large cursor Mark this checkbox to use the large crosshair cursor instead
of the small one.
Infobar Mark this checkbox to display the information bar at the
bottom of the Input Diagram window.
Grid Mark this checkbox to display a grid in each Input Diagram
window.
Snap to Grid Mark this checkbox to ensure that objects align to the grid
automatically when they are moved or positioned in a
drawing window. This option applies only to graphical input.
Grid distance Use this field to set the distance between grid points.
Same scale for x and Mark this checkbox to use the same scale for the horizontal
y axis and vertical directions
Identification names Mark this checkbox to display the names of the soil layers in
the Input Diagram window.
Loads Mark this checkbox to display loads in the Input Diagram
window. This option is available only for a sheet pile wall or a
pile loaded by forces.
Supports Mark this checkbox to display supports in the Input Diagram
window.
Layer colors Mark this checkbox to display each soil layer using a different
color. It is recommended that this option is deselected if
printouts are to be photo-copied or faxed.
Layers This option can only be used if the checkbox Identification
names has been marked. Soil layers may be identified by their
material name, their index in the list of materials, or their
index in the list of layers in the soil profile.
Overall scale Use these toggle buttons to indicate whether the calculated
quantities – such as the stresses, displacements, moments
and transverse forces – are to be displayed using a scale
based upon the maximum values for each phase (OFF) or the
maximum values over all construction stages (ON).
Mark the Save as default checkbox to use the current settings every time MSheet is
started.
Project Properties - Chart Settings

Use the Chart Settings tab to specify the display settings for the graphic representation
of calculation results [chapter 21].
Figure 19-5 – Project Properties window, Chart Settings tab
Layer boundaries Mark this checkbox to display dotted lines between soil
boundaries.
Layers colors Mark this checkbox to display layers using different colors.
Draw layer over full Mark this checkbox to draw layers over the full width of the
width chart.
Envelope displaying Mark this checkbox to display a gray line showing the
overall minimum and maximum and minimum values for all stages.
maximum
Draw water levels Mark this checkbox to display phreatic line levels.
Draw sheet piling Mark this checkbox to display the sheet piling element, with
elements its name beside.
Identification names Mark this checkbox to display the names of the soil layers.
Overall scale Use these toggle buttons to indicate whether the calculated
quantities – such as the stresses, displacements, moments
and transverse forces – are to be displayed using a scale
based upon the maximum values for each phase (Off) or the
maximum values over all construction stages (On).
Mark the checkbox Save as default to use the current settings every time MSheet is
run.
19.1.4 View Input File
On the menu bar, click Project and then choose View Input File to display an overview
of the input data.
The data will be displayed in the MSheet main window. Click on the Print Active Window
icon to print the file.
REFERENCE 167
19.2 Construction menu
Every new analysis starts with the input of data on the sheet piling, combined wall or
single pile. This data will apply to every construction stage.
19.2.1 Regular sheet piling
The Sheet Piling window is available in the Construction menu only if the Sheet piling
model in the Model window [§ 19.1.1] is selected.
On the menu bar, click Construction and then choose Sheet Piling to open the input
window for regular sheet piling. Combined walls can also be generated via a special
wizard.
First, the top level of the sheet piling is entered. New rows can be inserted or added by
clicking the relevant icon. The stiffness and/or acting width for each section can be
varied. Alternatively, use the Paste icon to paste the complete content from an
external source into the table.
Figure 19-6 – Sheet Piling window
Sheet piling top level Enter the top level of the sheet piling in relation to a freely
chosen reference level.
Combined Wall See [§ 19.2.3].
Import profile from This option allows the name and bending stiffness of the
library section to be selected from a library. The library contains the
standard profiles of different manufacturers and additional
user-defined ones [§ 19.2.4].
Name The default name of the section can be changed here if desired.
Section Bottom Level Enter the vertical co-ordinate of the bottom of the sheet piling,
in relation to the reference level. Use several sections if the
bending stiffness varies along the vertical axis of the sheet
piling.
Stiffness EI Enter the bending stiffness of the section (product of Young’s

Modulus E and moment of inertia I) per running meter if it has
not already been imported form a library.
Acting Width The acting width can be used when the effective width changes
along the sheet piling [§ 32.1.1].
MSheet uses the acting width as a multiplication factor for the
sheet piling stiffness and all loads, supports and reactions,
except the normal force ([chapter 23] equation ( 13 )).
NOTE: If the acting width changes at the position of a load, anchor or support,
MSheet will use the width below this position as the acting width per meter for this
load or support.
19.2.2 Regular sheet piling (in the case of a vertical balance check)
If the Check vertical balance option in the Model window of [§ 19.1.1] is selected, the
Sheet Piling window displayed (Figure 19-7) is different from Figure 19-6, as new input
data are needed in the vertical balance check.
Figure 19-7 – Sheet Piling window (vertical balance check)
Sheet piling top level See [§ 19.2.1].

Combined Wall See [§ 19.2.1].
Import profile from See [§ 19.2.1].
library
Name See [§ 19.2.1].
Section Bottom Level See [§ 19.2.1].
Stiffness EI See [§ 19.2.1].
Acting Width See [§ 19.2.1].
REFERENCE 169
Height The thickness of the sheet piling profile, ie the height of the
cross-section.
Coating area The area of coating of the sheet piling (> 1). This is defined as
the length of the perimeter of the sheet piling section per
running meter of wall.
Section area The cross-sectional area of the sheet piling, per running meter.
Max point resistance The representative cone resistance of the soil at the bottom of
(Pr;max;point) the sheet piling. This is equal to the maximum point resistance
pr,max;point as defined in the Dutch design code NEN 6743 [Lit 13].
See [chapter 28] for more information.
Xi factor (depends on The factor ξ (see Table 4.4 of the CUR 166 procedure) depending
number of CPTs) on the number N of CPTs and the number M of anchors. For
N = 1 and M = 1, ξ = 0.75 (default in MSheet).
19.2.3 Combined wall wizard
1. Click the Combined Wall button in the Sheet Piling window (Figure 19-6 or Figure
19-7) to open the Design Combined Wall window (Figure 19-8). MSheet will use the
properties of the pile and the sheet piling to determine the effective bending
stiffness and acting width of the wall above and below the bottom of the sheet
piling.
2. Click OK to generate the resulting MSheet input (Figure 19-9).
NOTE: The Combined Wall wizard will yield output of the bending moment for the
center-to-center distance between two piles, e.g. the discrete moment for a pile and
the attached part of the sheet piling For a section with single piles, the soil reaction
must be manually modified to model the effect of arching, see [§ 19.3.2] and [§ 20.2].
For background information on this topic, see [§ 32.1].
Figure 19-8 – Design Combined Wall window

Name The profile name. The user can define a name and properties
themself, or import the name and properties from the MSheet
library.
Bottom Level Enter the bottom level for the piles and the sheet piling.
Piles – Stiffness EI Enter the bending stiffness (product of Young’s Modulus E and
moment of inertia I) of a single pile.
Diameter Enter the diameter of the single piles.
Sheet pile – Enter the bending stiffness (product of Young’s Modulus E and
Stiffness EI moment of inertia I) of the sheet piling, per running meter.
Click the button to import the sheet piling name, width

and stiffness from the MSheet library [§ 19.2.4]
Width Enter the width of one sheet pile.
Number of sheet Enter the number of sheet piles between each pair of single
piles piles.
Figure 19-9 – Result of using the combined wall wizard (per center-to-center distance)
19.2.4 Construction menu – Profiles library
The Sheet Piling window and the Combined Wall window described in [§ 19.2], and the
single pile window [§ 19.2.5] allow the import of piling properties from a library.
Click the Browse button in these windows to open the Sheet Piling Profiles window
(Figure 19-10). In this window the properties of both sheet piling and single piles can
be selected.
The window contains separate tabs for steel sheet piling, concrete sheet piling and
single piles from different manufacturers. There are also separate tabs for user-defined
sheet piling and user defined single piles, see Figure 19-11.
User defined profiles and groups can be added via the Add and the Edit buttons (Figure
19-12), and deleted using the Delete button. The location of the data file containing
user defined profiles can be changed via the Tools menu [§ 18.2.3].
REFERENCE 171
Figure 19-10 – Sheet Piling Profiles Library window, Sheet piles tab
Figure 19-11 – Sheet Piling Profiles Library window, User defined piles tab
EI The bending stiffness.

Mmax;el The maximum moment for elastic behavior at zero normal force.
Sxxx means steel with a yield stress of xxx N/mm². This value is
not yet used by MSheet.
Section Area The cross sectional area of the profile. This value is not yet used
by MSheet.
W The resisting moment. This value is not yet used by MSheet.
Width The width of a single pile. MSheet uses this value for single pile
and combined wall analysis.
All properties (except width) are given per running meter for Sheet piles, Concrete sheet
piles and User defined sheet piles. The properties for Piles and User defined piles are
given per single pile.
Figure 19-12 - Piles library, Add Pile to user defined
Group name Select or enter a name for the group of profiles.

Profile name Enter the name of the profile.
Stiffness EI Enter the bending stiffness of the profile
Maximum elastic Enter the maximum moment for elastic behavior with zero
moment Mmax;el applied normal force. This value is not currently used by
MSheet.
Section Area Enter the cross sectional area of the profile. This value is not
currently used by MSheet.
Resisting moment W Enter the resisting moment. This value is not yet used by
MSheet.
Width Enter the width of a single pile. MSheet uses this value when
performing a single pile or combined wall analysis.
19.2.5 Construction menu for single piles
The Pile window is available in the Construction menu only if the Single Pile model in
the Model window [§ 19.1.1] is selected.
REFERENCE 173
On the menu bar, click Construction and then choose Pile to open the input window.
Every new analysis starts with the input of data on the single pile.
First, the top level of the sheet piling must be entered. Next, click the Insert row
button to insert a new row or click the Add row button to add one. The stiffness and/or
diameter can be varied for each section. Alternatively, use the Paste button to paste
the complete content from an external source into the table.
Figure 19-13 – Pile window
Pile top level Enter the top level of the pile in relation to a freely chosen
reference level.
Import Click here to import the name, diameter and bending stiffness
of the section from the MSheet library [§ 19.2.4].
Name Change the default name for the section, if desired.
Section Bottom Enter the vertical co-ordinate of the bottom of the pile, in
Level relation to the reference level. Use several sections if the
bending stiffness varies along the depth.
Stiffness EI Enter the bending stiffness (product of Young’s Modulus E and
moment of inertia I) of the pile for each section.
Diameter Enter the equivalent diameter of the pile. MSheet uses this
value as the acting width for the soil reaction.
19.3 Soil menu
The Soil menu is used to enter the soil properties for the analysis.
19.3.1 Surfaces
On the menu bar, click Soil and then choose Surfaces. In the window displayed (Figure
19-14), the positions of the various ground surfaces, that will occur on different sides
of the sheet piling during the different stages, can be specified. Use the Stage
Composer or the Stages Overview window to connect the surfaces (for each stage) to the
left or right of the sheet pile wall.
Up to 10 surfaces can be specified. To add a surface, click Add. The name of the new
surface is displayed in an appearing edit-box. Change the name as required. Enter the
first co-ordinate (horizontal in relation to the sheet piling, vertical in relation to the
reference level).
Click the Add row button to add the next co-ordinate. Alternatively, use the Paste
button, to paste the complete content from an external source into the table.
Distance & Level Both the Distance from the sheet piling and Level of that part of
the surface are expressed in meters. The level is specified in
relation to the reference level.
MSheet can only convert a non-horizontal surface to horizontal
wall pressures in case of the c, phi, delta method [§ 19.6.1]. The
relevant calculation method must be selected for each
construction stage.
19.3.2 Soil Layers for retaining walls
On the menu bar, click Soil and then choose Layers to open the input window. In this
window, the names and properties of the soil layers can be entered.
Specify the names of the soil layers in the left-hand table. The soil layers entered here
can be connected to their geometry using the Soil Profiles input window
In the Soil Layers window, the following data can be added:

• General soil parameters for each layer
• Earth pressure coefficients for each layer
• Curve settings, to define the type of stress-displacement curve for all layers
• Modulus of subgrade reaction for each layer.
REFERENCE 175
Figure 19-15 – Soil layers window
Now the soil layers can be linked to soil profiles and the water properties for the soil
can be determined, both described in [§ 19.3].
General
The general soil parameters for a particular soil layer can be specified in this sub-
window (Figure 19-16).
Figure 19-16 – Soil Layers window: General
Unsat. total unit The weight of a unit volume of soil above the water table
weight (generally unsaturated).
Sat. total unit weight The weight of a unit volume of soil below the water table
(generally saturated).
Cohesion, Phi and Cohesion is the drained cohesion, Phi represents the friction
Delta friction angle angle of soil, and Delta friction angle the friction angle
between soil and sheet piling. For background information,
see [§ 25.1].

In this sub-window the earth pressure coefficients can be entered or generated. MSheet
will use these values only for those parts or stages where the Culmann method (c, φ, δ)
[§ 19.6.2] has not been selected.
Figure 19-17 – Soil Layers window: Earth pressure coefficients
Manual Mark this checkbox to enter the earth pressure coefficients

manually.
Müller-Breslau Mark this checkbox to get MSheet to determine earth
(Straight slip pressure coefficients according to Müller-Breslau [§ 24.3].
surfaces)
Kotter (Curved slip Mark this checkbox to get MSheet to determine earth
surfaces) pressure coefficients according to Kotter [§ 24.4].
Active, Neutral or If Manual is selected, the values for the active, neutral, and
Passive passive earth pressure coefficients (Ka, K0, Kp) should be
entered manually. The following restriction applies:
0 ≤ Ka ≤ K0 ≤ Kp.
If Manual is not selected, the active, neutral, and passive
earth pressure coefficients (Ka, K0, Kp) are calculated
automatically by MSheet.
Curve Settings
In the Soil layers window, click the Curve Settings button to open the Curve Settings
(for all Layers) window (Figure 19-18) in which the type of stress-displacement
diagram that will be used for all layers can be defined.
Figure 19-18 – Curve Settings window

REFERENCE 177
Modulus of subgrade The Secant (CUR 166) definition is based on the stress-
reaction type displacement diagram according to CUR 166. This diagram
always uses three branches, with intersections at 50, 80 and
100 % of Ka - Kp (see Figure 19-20 below) The slope of the
different branches is defined indirectly, via the three secant
moduli at the intersection points.
The Tangent (MSheet Classic) definition is based on a user-
defined number of branches (number of curves), with the
slope of each branch defined directly by the tangent modulus
(see Figure 19-23 below).
Use an unloading/ Mark this checkbox to use an elasto-plastic model with a
reloading curve different (elastic) stiffness during unloading and reloading.
Also see the input description for the modulus of subgrade
reaction (below).
Number of curves for Specify this value to use multiple branches in the diagram of
spring characteristics stress versus displacement during virgin loading. The
maximum number is 4. Also see the input description for the
modulus of subgrade reaction (below) and for the earth
pressure coefficients (above). This option is only used with
the Tangent (MSheet Classic) definition.
Modulus of subgrade reaction – Secant (CUR 166)

This sub-window only appears if the Secant (CUR 166) definition has been selected in
the Curve Settings window. In this sub-window the secant moduli can be defined
according to CUR 166, either by selection of a predefined soil type, or by manual input.
Figure 19-19 – Soil Layers window: Secant (CUR 166)
k1, k2, k3 Enter descending values for the secant moduli at 50, 80 and 100 % of
Ka - Kp (Figure 19-20), on the Top side and Bottom side of each soil layer.
MSheet also applies the k1 value to unloading and reloading if the Use an
unloading / reloading curve option has been selected in the Curve
Settings window.
Select from Click this button to select a soil type directly from table 3.3 of the
Table 3.3 CUR 166 [Lit 5] (Figure 19-21). The soil type indication in the first
column includes typical values of the CPT resistance qc. Only “lowest”
values are given in MSheet – to use the “highest” value the user must
manually multiply the lowest value by 2.25.
horizontal stress
k1 k2 k3
kpσv
50% 80% 100%

Kaσv
horizontal displacement
Figure 19-20 – Secant definition of stress-displacement diagram (CUR 166)
Figure 19-21 – CUR 166 (Table 3.3) window
Modulus of subgrade reaction – Tangent (MSheet Classic)

This sub-window appears when the Tangent (MSheet Classic) definition has been
selected in the Curve Settings window. In this sub-window the tangent moduli can be
manually defined, according to the classic MSheet definition.
Figure 19-22 – Soil Layers window: Tangent (MSheet Classic)
The following values can be specified for the tangent modulus of subgrade reaction at
the top and bottom sides of the soil layer (see Figure 19-23, below).
k0 Enter the value for unloading/reloading, if this option was selected
unloading/rel in the Curve Settings window (see above).
oading
k1,…k4 Enter descending values for the tangent moduli, at the Top side and
the Bottom side of the soil layer, of the different branches.
1-3 [%] Define the intersection points of the branches, by entering the
corresponding stress levels as a percentage of Ka - Kp.
REFERENCE 179
horizontal soil stress σH
arctan k4
passive: Kpσv
arctan k3
neutral: K0σv
2[%] 3[%] 100%
active: Kaσv arctan k2
1[%]
arctan k1 horizontal displacement
Figure 19-23 –Tangent definition of stress-displacement diagram (MSheet classic)
19.3.3 Soil Layers for single piles
On the menu bar, click Soil and then choose Layers to open the input window. In this
window, the names and properties of the soil layers can be entered.
After input of the soil properties, soil layers can be linked to Soil Profiles and the water
properties for the soil can be determined
Soil layer name

In this sub-window the soil layers can be defined. The soil layers entered here can be
connected to the geometry using the Soil Profiles input window [§ 19.3.4].
Figure 19-24 – Soil Layers window: Soil layer name

General
In this sub-window the general soil parameters can be specified for a particular soil
layer.
Figure 19-25 – Soil Layers window: General
Unsat. total unit The weight of a unit volume of soil above the water table
weight (generally unsaturated).
Sat. total unit weight The weight of a unit volume of soil below the water table
(generally saturated).
Cohesion, Phi Cohesion is the drained cohesion, Phi represents the friction
angle of soil.

User-defined values for the earth pressure coefficients can be entered in this sub-
window. Alternatively, for a pile loaded by forces, the earth pressure coefficients can
be determined according to Brinch-Hansen.
Figure 19-26 – Soil Layers window: Earth pressure coefficients (Pile loaded by forces)
Figure 19-27 – Soil Layers window: Earth pressure coefficients (Pile loaded by soil
displacements)
REFERENCE 181
Method Select Brinch-Hansen for determination of the earth pressure

coefficient from the input cohesion and friction [§ 31.2.1].
Active, Neutral or If User defined is selected, then enter values for the Active,
Passive Neutral, and Passive earth pressure coefficients (Ka, K0, Kp).
The following restriction applies: 0 ≤ Ka ≤ K0 ≤ Kp.
When using the Brinch-Hansen method the same soil layer should not be used at
different depths in a soil profile. Instead a copy of the soil should be made, with a
different name. See [§ 31.2.1] for more information.
Modulus of subgrade reaction

User-defined values for the modulus of subgrade reaction can be entered in this sub-
window. Alternatively, for a pile loaded by forces, MSheet can calculate the modulus of
subgrade reaction according to Ménard’s theory.
Figure 19-28 – Soil Layers window: Modulus of subgrade reaction (Pile loaded by forces)
Figure 19-29 – Soil Layers window: Modulus of subgrade reaction (Pile loaded by soil
displacement)
Emod/Soil If Ménard is selected, then MSheet will determine the modulus of

type Ménard subgrade reaction from the input of the pressiometric modulus and
the soil type. The background description on Ménard’s theory
[§ 31.2.2] includes a correlation between the pressiometric modulus
and the cone resistance. The option Ménard is only available for
single piles loaded by forces [§ 19.1.1].
k If User defined is selected, the values for the modulus of subgrade
reaction at the top and bottom side of a layer can be entered
manually.
After entering all the data in the Soil menu, proceed to the Loads menu.
19.3.4 Soil Profiles
Once the soil layers are defined, the soil profiles can be added. On the menu bar, click
Soil and then choose Profiles to open the corresponding input window.
In the input window, different profiles can be specified for each side and for each
construction stage.
Soil profile name This field displays the name of the selected profile.
The name of the profile can be overwritten if desired. Unique
and recognizable names should be used because the profile
name is used in other MSheet windows to select the
appropriate soil data.
Soil layer Click the input field to select one of the available soil layers.
A soil profile must be specified for each stage. On the basis of
layers that are fully or partially located under the specified
surface level, MSheet itself defines the soil layers that are
present during a construction stage. However, there must be
soil present at the location of the specified surface.
Because the surface does not need to be horizontal, a soil
layer may sometimes be above the sheet piling.
Top level [m] Enter the level of the top of the soil layer. The soil layers
must be entered from top to bottom. The bottom soil layer is
assumed to be infinitely thick.
REFERENCE 183
Additional Pore Enter the additional pore water pressure at the top and
Pressure bottom of each soil layer. The additional pressure is modeled
(top/bottom) as varying linearly over the layer. The total pore water
pressure is taken as the sum of the additional pore pressure
and the hydrostatic pore water pressure (see [§ 19.3.5]). See
the “Note” below.
NOTE: If the surface does not run horizontally, the additional pore water pressure at
the surface level is not always equal to zero. MSheet does not adjust the additional
pore water pressure, but displays a warning in the output file instead. A warning is
also displayed if an additional pore water pressure is entered above the water level.
19.3.5 Water Levels
On the menu bar, click Soil and then choose Water Levels to open the corresponding
input window.
In the input window, different water levels can be specified.
Name Enter a name for the water level. Use unique and
recognizable names, because the water level name is used in
other MSheet windows to select the appropriate data.
Level [m] Enter the water level (relative to the reference level).
MSheet models hydrostatic pore water pressures by defining the hydrostatic pressure at
a point as proportional to its depth below the water level. If a total pore pressure
distribution other than this triangular, hydrostatic, distribution is required then the
user must also input additional pore pressures for each layer [§ 19.3.4].
A water level will only be active in the stages that are selected using the Stage
Composer [§ 2.6] or the Stages Overview window [§ 19.6.2].
19.3.6 Water Properties
On the menu bar, click Soil and then choose Water to open the corresponding input
window. Use the dialog box to modify the unit weight of water, if required. The default
value is 9.81 kN/m3. Mark the Save as default checkbox to make the input value the
default for all future projects.
Figure 19-32 – Water Properties window
After entering all the data in the Soil menu, proceed to the Loads menu.
19.4 Loads menu
The Loads menu can be used to define various types of loads.
19.4.1 Uniform loads for retaining walls
On the menu bar, click Loads and then choose Uniform Loads to open the
corresponding input window.
Figure 19-33 – Uniform Loads window
Name This field displays the name of the displayed load, which can
be overwritten. Use unique and recognizable names because
the load name is used in other windows of MSheet to select
the appropriate data.
Load on the left side Enter the magnitude of the load on the left hand side of the
[kN/m²] sheet pile wall.
Load on the right Enter the magnitude of the load on the right hand side of
side [kN/m²] the sheet piling.
REFERENCE 185
Partial factor Enter the value of the partial factor to be applied to the
(verification) magnitude of the surcharge during the CUR 166 design
procedure. For information on what partial factor to apply
see [§ 29.3]. This option is available only if the CUR
verification module is selected in the Model window
[§ 19.1.1].
A uniform load consists of a distributed vertical q-load acting on the horizontal soil
surface, from the sheet piling to infinity. The value of the q-load can be different on
each side of the sheet piling.
q-load
sheet piling
Figure 19-34 – Distribution of uniform load
NOTE: Uniform loads can be used only with a horizontal surface.
A uniform load will only be active in the stages that are selected using the Stage
19.4.2 Surcharges for retaining walls
On the menu bar, click Loads and then choose Surcharge Loads to open the
A non-uniform surcharge acts on the soil surface to the left or right of the sheet pile
wall. Enter value of the load at several distances from the sheet pile wall. Between
these points, linear interpolation is used. Up to 10 surcharge loads can be added.

Surcharge load name This field displays the name of the displayed load, which can
be overwritten. Use unique and recognizable names because
the load name is used in other windows of MSheet to select
the appropriate data.
Partial factor Enter the partial factor to be applied to the magnitude of the
(verification) surcharge during the CUR 166 design procedure. This option
is available only if the CUR verification module is selected in
the Model window [§ 19.1.1].
Distance [m] Enter the distance from the sheet piling to the relevant part
of the surcharge. A surcharge always acts on the soil surface.
The distances to the sheet piling are always positive and
must be entered in ascending order. The maximum number of
points is 15.
Load [kN/m²] Enter the magnitude of the surcharge at each point.
load
1 3 4 6 7 9 10
distance
Figure 19-36 – Distribution of surcharges according to the inputted values of Figure

19-35
NOTE: The surcharge can only be applied if method c, φ, δ (Culmann) has been
selected [§ 19.1.1].
MSheet models surcharges using Boussinesq’s formula [§ 24.5].
A surcharge will only be active in the stages that are selected using the Stage Composer
[§ 2.6] or the Stages Overview window [§ 19.6.2].
19.4.3 Horizontal line loads for retaining walls and single piles
On the menu bar, click Loads and then choose Horizontal Line Loads to open the
Horizontal line loads are loads perpendicular to the sheet piling, directed towards the
right. Up to 10 loads can be added.
REFERENCE 187
Figure 19-37 – Horizontal Line Loads window
Name The name of the horizontal line load can be overwritten. Use
unique and recognizable names because the load name is
used in other windows of MSheet to select the appropriate
data.
Level [m] Enter the vertical position of the line load in relation to the
reference level. The value must be above the foot, and below
the top, of the sheet piling.
Load [kN/m’] Enter the magnitude of the line load per running meter.
MSheet assumes that a force with positive sign points to the
right.
level force
sheet piling
Figure 19-38 – Example of a positive horizontal line load
A horizontal line load will only be active in the stages that are selected using the Stage
19.4.4 Moments for retaining walls and single piles
On the menu bar, click Loads and then choose Moments to open the corresponding
input window.
When, for example, a floor is connected to the sheet pile wall a moment load can occur
along the length of the sheet pile wall.
Up to 10 moments can be added.

Figure 19-39 – Moments window
Name The name of the moment load can be overwritten. Use unique
and recognizable names, because the load name is used in
other windows of MSheet to select the appropriate data.
Level [m] Enter the vertical position of the moment in relation to the
reference level. The values must be within the range of the
top and the foot of the sheet piling.
Moment [kNm/m'] Enter the magnitude of the moment per running meter. A
moment with a rotation from the positive X-axis to the
positive Y-axis (counter clockwise) receives a positive sign.
level moment
sheet piling
Figure 19-40 – Example of a positive moment
A moment will only be active in the stages that are selected using the Stage Composer
19.4.5 Normal forces for retaining walls and single piles
On the menu bar, click Loads and then choose Normal Forces to open the following
window.
REFERENCE 189
Figure 19-41 – Normal Forces window
Name Enter a name for the force. Use unique and recognizable
names, because the load name is used in other windows of
MSheet to select the appropriate data.
Force at Enter the value of the normal force at the levels explained
above.
Normal forces, ie distributed forces that act along the axis of the sheet piling section,
introduce an additional (secondary) moment. Due to wall friction, the normal force
(the result of an applied vertical line load) will decrease along the depth of the sheet
piling. To account for this friction, the user may input the value of the normal force at
the following levels:
• top of the sheet piling
• surface levels at the left-hand and right-hand side
• toe of the sheet piling.
If friction is to be ignored (conservative) then the same value can be entered at all
levels.
Up to 10 normal forces can be added.
A normal force load will only be active in the stages that are selected using the Stage
19.4.6 Soil displacements for single piles
This option is available only for single piles loaded by soil displacements [§ 19.1.1]. See
[§ 31.1] for background information.
On the menu bar, click Loads and then choose Soil Displacements to open the
Undisturbed soil displacements can be entered at a number of points along the total
length of the pile. Up to 10 soil displacements can be entered.
Figure 19-42 – Soil Displacements window
Level Enter the vertical position (relative to the reference level) of

the points where the soil displacement is to be defined. The
first point must coincide with the top of the sheet piling, and
the last point with the foot of the sheet piling even if the
displacement there is zero. The intermediate points must be
in order of decreasing level.
Displacement [m] Enter the magnitude of the undisturbed soil displacement. A
soil displacement in the direction of the positive X-axis (to
the right) receives a positive sign.
19.5 Supports menu
Anchors, struts and other supports can be defined using the options in the Supports
menu.
19.5.1 Anchors for retaining walls
On the menu bar, click Supports and then choose Anchors to open the corresponding
input window.
Figure 19-43 – Anchors window

REFERENCE 191
Name Enter the name of the anchor.

Level Enter the vertical co-ordinate of the connection of the anchor to
the sheet pile wall (measured relative to the reference level).
E-modulus Enter the Young’s Modulus of the anchor, E.
Cross section Enter the cross-sectional area of the anchor, A.
Wall Height Enter the vertical dimension of the anchor wall. This only need be
specified if MSheet is to perform a stability check of the anchor wall
according to Kranz [Lit 4] (see [chapter 26]).
Length Enter the length of the anchor tendon.
Angle Enter the angle between the anchor tendon and the horizontal axis.
A negative angle indicates an anchor tendon that runs downwards
from the sheet pile wall.
Yield Force Enter the yield force for the anchor.
Side Select if the anchor is to be on the right- or left-hand side of the
sheet piling.
Anchors can be pre-tensioned with an initial force to support the sheet pile wall. Each
construction stage can have its own anchors and up to 10 anchors can be added. Pre-
tensioned anchors are modeled by the pre-stress force, with no associated stiffness for
the stage in which the pre-stress force is applied. For all other stages MSheet models
anchors using discrete springs. MSheet always uses a zero pressure condition in the
stress strain relation (Figure 19-44).
tensile stress
limited capacity
pre- stress
zero pressure
condition tensile strain
Figure 19-44 – Stress-strain diagram for an anchor
MSheet calculates the stiffness of the anchor using the following equation:
modulus of elasticity ⋅ area

( 10 ) springconstant =
length
Grout Anchors
To model a grout anchor, define the anchor wall height as zero. The effective length of
the anchorage is measured from the sheet pile wall to the middle of the grout body.
An anchor will only be active in the stages that are selected using the Stage Composer
19.5.2 Struts for retaining walls
On the menu bar, click Supports and then choose Struts to open the corresponding
input window (Figure 19-45).
Figure 19-45 – Struts window
Name Enter the name of the strut.

Level Enter the vertical co-ordinate of the connection between the
sheet pile wall and the strut (relative to the reference level).
E-modulus Enter the Young’s Modulus of the strut, E.
Cross section Enter the cross-sectional area of the strut, A.
Length Enter the length of the strut.
Angle Enter the angle between the strut and the horizontal axis. A
negative angle indicates a strut that runs downwards from the
sheet pile wall.
Buckling Force Enter the buckling force of the strut.
Side Select if the strut is to be on the right- or left-hand side of the
sheet pile wall.
Struts can be pre-compressed with an initial force to support the sheet pile wall. Each
construction stage can have its own struts and up to 10 struts can be added. MSheet
models struts using discrete springs. MSheet always uses a zero tension condition in
the stress strain relation (Figure 19-46).
compressive stress
limited capacity
pre- stress
zero tension
condition compressive strain
Figure 19-46 – Stress-strain diagram for a strut
MSheet calculates the stiffness of the strut using the following equation:
modulus of elasticity ⋅ area

( 11 ) springconstant =
length
REFERENCE 193
A strut will only be active in the stages that are selected using the Stage Composer
19.5.3 Spring supports for retaining walls and single piles
On the menu bar, click Supports and then choose Spring Supports to open the
corresponding input window (Figure 19-47).
Figure 19-47 – Spring Supports window
Name Enter the name of the support.

Level Enter the vertical position of the support (relative to the
reference level).
Rotation Enter the magnitude of the spring stiffness against rotation.
[kNm/rad/m']
Translation Enter the magnitude of the spring stiffness against translation.
[kN/m/m']
A spring support provides an elastic resistance against translation or rotation. The

stiffness of the spring is determined using the data entered for the spring constants for
translation and/or rotation.
( 12 ) F = −ktranslationw , M = −k rotationϕ
where:
F = spring force
M = spring moment
ktranslation = translational spring constant
krotation = rotational spring constant
w = displacement of the sheet piling
φ = rotation of the sheet piling.
A spring support will only be active in the stages that are selected using the Stage
19.5.4 Rigid supports for retaining walls and single piles
On the menu bar, click Supports and then choose Rigid Supports to open the
corresponding input window (Figure 19-48).
Figure 19-48 – Rigid Supports window
Name Enter the name of the rigid support

Level Enter the vertical position of the support (relevant to the
reference level).
Support type Click the input field to select the appropriate type of support:
(Prevention of...) to prevent either translation, or rotation, or both.
Rigid supports can be used to suppress translation and/or rotation of the sheet piling
at certain points. Up to 10 rigid supports can be added. A rigid support will only be
active in the stages that are selected using the Stage Composer [§ 2.6] or the Stages
Overview window [§ 19.6.2].
19.6 Stages menu
After the sheet piling, loading and supports have been defined, the construction stages
can be described.
19.6.1 Stages Manager
On the menu bar, click Stages and then choose Manager to open the input window.
Click Add to add a new stage to the list or click Insert to insert a new stage before the
stage currently selected. Click Rename to modify the current name. The Delete button
removes the selected stage from the list. Note that at least one construction stage
must always be present. Up to 50 stages can be defined.
See Calculation Options [§ 20.1] for how to compensate for an initial surcharge or non-
horizontal surface during the first stage.
REFERENCE 195
Figure 19-49 – Stages Manager window
19.6.2 Stages Overview for retaining walls
On the menu bar, click Stages and then choose Overview to open the Stages Overview
window. This window serves the following purposes.
• An overview of loads, supports and additional data that may vary for each stage.
• Selection of specific loads, supports and additional input data for each stage.
• Input of anchor and strut forces, and the input of a prescribed pile top
displacement.

Pile Top Displacement Mark this checkbox to activate a prescribed piling top
displacement for the selected stage. Positive values indicate a
displacement to the right. Displacements are specified in
relation to the configuration at the start of stage 1. If the
checkbox is not marked, MSheet assumes that the top of the
sheet piling can move freely. An alternative method of
ensuring zero displacement of the top of the wall is to use a
rigid support [§ 19.5.4].
Methods For each side and for each stage, select the method that
MSheet will use to calculate the lateral earth pressure ratios:
C, phi, delta (cohesion, soil friction angle and friction angle
between soil and wall): With this option selected MSheet
derives the lateral earth pressure coefficients using Culmann’s
method. This method is the usual choice in most cases. It is
based on straight slip surfaces and includes the influence of
soil weight, non-horizontal ground surfaces and non-uniform
surcharge.
Ka, K0, Kp (active, neutral and passive lateral earth pressure
coefficients): With this option selected, MSheet will use user-
specified coefficients or ones derived automatically from the
Müller-Breslau equations (straight slip surface, horizontal soil
surface) or Kötter equations (curved slip surface, horizontal
ground surface).
For more details, see the Soil Layers input window [§ 19.3.2].
Water levels For each side and for each stage, select the water level. Water
levels may be added or modified in the Water Level window
[§ 19.3.5].
Surfaces For each side and for each stage, select one of the available
ground surfaces from the drop down list. Ground surfaces
may be added or modified in the Surfaces input window.
Soil profiles For each side and for each stage, select one of the available
layer profiles from the drop down list. Layer profiles may be
added or modified in the Profiles input window.
Anchors For each stage, select the anchors that are used by marking
the corresponding checkboxes. Anchors may be added via the
Supports menu.
Pre-tensioning forces For each selected anchor, the corresponding checkbox in the
list of pre-tensioning forces may be marked. Once a checkbox
is marked, the pre-tensioning force can be entered in the
same cell of the table. If an anchor is deselected, the
corresponding pre-tensioning also becomes deselected, and
the corresponding checkbox is disabled.
REFERENCE 197
Struts For each stage, select the struts that are to be used by
marking the corresponding checkboxes. Struts may be added
via the Supports menu.
Pre-compressions For each selected strut, the corresponding checkbox in the
list of pre-compression forces may be marked. Once a
checkbox is marked, the pre-compression force can be
entered in the same cell of the table. If a strut is deselected,
the corresponding pre-compression also becomes deselected,
and the corresponding checkbox is disabled.
Spring supports Supports and loads may be selected for each stage by
Rigid supports marking the corresponding check boxes.
Uniform loads Supports and loads may be entered with the input windows
Surcharges in the Soil menu and the Loads menu.
Horizontal line loads Surcharges may be selected to act on either side of the sheet
Moments piling.
Normal forces
For more detail about the menus mentioned above, see [§ 19.3] to [§ 19.5].
19.6.3 Stage Overview for single piles
On the menu bar, click Stage and then choose Overview to open the input window. This
window allows an overall view of loads and supports being selected for a single pile
analysis. Note also that working with construction stages is not possible for the single
pile model.
Figure 19-51 – Stage Overview window
Water levels Select the water level. Water levels may be added or modified
in the Water Levels window [§ 19.3.5].
Surfaces Select one of the available ground surfaces from the drop-
down list. Ground surfaces may be added or modified in the
Surfaces window [§ 19.3.1].
Soil profiles Select one of the available layer profiles from the drop down
list. Layer profiles may be added or modified in the Profiles
input window [§ 19.3.4].
Spring supports All supports and loads may be selected by marking the
Rigid supports corresponding check boxes.
Horizontal line loads Supports and loads may be entered using the input windows
Moments in the Soil menu [§ 19.3] and the Loads menu [§ 19.3.4].
For more details about the menus mentioned above, see [§ 19.3] and [§ 19.3.4].
20
20 Calculations
20.1 Calculation Options for retaining walls
On the menu bar, click Calculation and then choose Options, to change the
determination method for the earth pressure coefficients according to Culmann.
Figure 20-1 – Calculation Options window
First stage Mark this checkbox to let MSheet determine equal neutral stresses
represents initial at both sides, for initially non-horizontal surfaces or initial
situation surcharges. The possibilities and limitations are outlined below.
Also see the background information [chapter 30].
Coarse/Fine Select either the faster, classic, coarse element determination of
active and passive pressures, or the more accurate fine element
determination. MSheet applies the fine determination implicitly
when the First stage represents initial situation option has been
selected. Note that the fine and coarse methods may yield
different results.
Reduce delta Mark this checkbox to allow reduction of the wall friction angles
friction angle(s) according to CUR 166. This means that for δ ≤ 30°, no change is
according to CUR made to δ; for 30° < δ ≤ 35°, δ is reduced to 16.6°; and for
δ > 35°, δ is reduced to 17.2°. This option is only available when
using the c, phi, delta (Culmann) module. The checkbox is
marked as default.
Possibilities and limitations of a first initial stage

• Only non-uniform loads and non-horizontal surfaces are allowed in combination
with a first initial stage. Uniform loads, horizontal line loads, moments and
normal forces cannot be used in a first initial stage.
• Sheet piling deformation will not occur in a first initial stage, unless the initial
neutral soil stress becomes equal to the active or passive value at some part along
the sheet piling.
• The layers and phreatic surface in a first initial stage must be continuous at the
position of the sheet piling.
• The influence of sheet piling installation on soil stresses is not modeled.
Coarse vs Fine calculation

When performing calculations MSheet divides the sheet pile wall into elements. See
[chapter 23] for information on how this division is performed. Each element contains
5 minor nodes. Using the fine option the earth pressure coefficients are calculated at
the location of each node. Using the coarse option the earth pressure coefficient is
assumed to be constant over the whole element.
20.2 Start Calculation for retaining walls
On the menu bar, click Calculation and then choose Start to start the calculation. If the
input contains no errors, the Start Calculation window will be displayed (Figure 20-2).
Figure 20-2 – Start Calculation window
Recalculation earth In order to review or modify the lateral earth pressure ratios
pressure that are calculated by the Culmann (c, phi, delta) method,
coefficients select Manual. Selecting Automatic leaves the values as they
are.
REFERENCE 201
Manual earth Select the Construction stage for which the earth pressure ratios
pressure coefficient are to be modified and click Editor. This will open the Fictive
calculation options Earth Pressure Coefficients window, where the values can be
viewed and modified. To restore the original Culmann values,
click Recalculation.
Figure 20-3 –Fictive Earth Pressure Coefficients window
Select side to show The vertical position along the sheet piling for which the earth
coefficients pressure coefficients have been calculated.
Level [m] The vertical position along the sheet piling.
Ka, Ko, Kp The active, neutral and passive earth pressure coefficient
values, which can be modified.
Click OK in the Start Calculation window to perform the analysis (using the stated sheet
piling length). After analysis is complete, close the Calculation Progress window. A
report can now be generated [§ 21.2].
If the sheet pile wall is found to be unstable then the calculation process is stopped
and a warning appears to the effect “Calculation finished: Sheet piling becomes
unstable.” The stage at which the instability occurred is also indicated in the
Calculation Progress window.
20.3 Start Calculation for single piles
On the menu bar, click Calculation and then click Start. After analysis is complete, close
the Calculation Progress window. A report can now be generated.
20.4 Design Sheet Piling Length
On the menu bar, click Calculation and then choose Design Sheet Piling Length to design
the sheet piling length.
NOTE: If CUR verification has been selected in the Model window [§ 19.1.1] then
MSheet will apply partial factors according to step 6.3 of the CUR design procedure
[§ 29.3]. These factors can either be applied to the selected stage only, or also to all
preceding stages [§ 29.2].
Construction stage Select the construction stage for which a stability analysis is
to be used in order to determine the minimum length for the
sheet piling.
Partial factor set If CUR verification was selected in the Model window
[§ 19.1.1] then this option is available. Choose the required
Partial factor set for the safety class of the CUR step-by-step
design procedure [chapter 29] or select User defined to use a
partial factor set defined by the user, maybe for checking
against other codes such as the Eurocode 7. MSheet assumes
that low representative values have been entered for
cohesion and friction, and the modulus of subgrade reaction
[§ 19.3.2]. MSheet will divide the input cohesion and the
angle of internal friction by class-dependent partial safety
factors. MSheet will also divide the low representative value
of the modulus of subgrade reaction by 1.3.
CUR method If CUR verification was selected in the Model window
[§ 19.1.1] then this box appears. Select the button
corresponding either to method I or method II [§ 29.2].
Pile length From / Enter the range of pile lengths over which the analysis
Downto / Decrement should be performed, and the Decrement in length for each
analysis step.
REFERENCE 203
Click Start to perform the analysis.
Figure 20-5 – Design Sheet Piling Length output
The report shows for each length decrement:

• the mobilized resistance, defined as the actual total passive soil reaction divided
by the capacity of the total passive soil reaction at full yield
• the anchor force
• the extreme values for the bending moments along the sheet piling
• the maximum displacement along the sheet piling.
The analysis stops if the sheet piling becomes unstable. Instability is defined as
reaching 100% of the mobilized resistance, or as the maximum displacement exceeding
25% of the sheet piling length.
20.5 Verify Sheet Piling
On the menu bar, click Calculation and then choose Verify Sheet Piling This option is
only available with the CUR Verification option enabled [§ 19.1.1]. The verification is
applicable to a sheet pile wall with multiple or single anchorage.
In the window displayed, two different methods according to the CUR 166 design
procedure can be selected (Figure 20-6).
Figure 20-6 – Verify Sheet Piling window, CUR method sub-window
CUR method If the Partial factors (design values) in all stages (method I)
method is selected, MSheet applies partial factors
corresponding to the inputted set in all stages.
If the Partial factors (design values) in verified stage only
(method II) method is selected, MSheet applies partial factors
corresponding to the inputted set only in the selected “final”
stage(s), and all previous stages have the Representative set
applied.
If the Partial factors (design values) in all stages (method I) method is selected, the
following window is displayed (Figure 20-7).
Figure 20-7 – Verify Sheet piling window (CUR method with Partial factors in all stages)
Partial factor set Change the Partial factor set to the relevant safety class (I, II
or III) according to CUR 166 or to the User defined partial
factors set inputted in the Default Partial Factors window
[§ 19.1.2]. MSheet uses the partial factors set to modify the
input cohesion, friction and modulus of subgrade reaction,
during all stages.
Anchor stiffness Enter a multiplication factor for the anchor stiffness. This
multiplication factor factor is used in Analysis III of the verification (see below),
in all stages for all stages. The default value is 1.
Check stability for all Select this checkbox to perform an overall stability
stages calculation using modified values for cohesion, friction angle
and driving moment, depending on the Partial factor set
chosen for all stages.
REFERENCE 205
If the Partial factors (design values) in all stages (method II) method is selected, the
following window is displayed Figure 20-8.
Figure 20-8 – Verify Sheet Piling window (CUR method with Partial factors in verified
stage only)
Stage List of the stages as defined in the Stages Manager window

[§ 19.6.1].
Verify Select the Stage for which verification is to be performed by
marking the relevant checkbox(es). Leaving the checkbox
unselected means that this stage will not be specifically
checked as a “final” stage.
during the selected stage(s) only.
Anchor stiffness Enter a multiplication factor for the anchor stiffness for the
multiplication factor different stages. This factor is used in Step 9.1 of the
verification (see below). The default value is 1.
Check stability for all Select this checkbox to perform an overall stability
verified stages calculation using modified values for cohesion, friction angle
and driving moment, depending on the Partial factor set
chosen for the selected stages.
Verification consists of the execution of six steps of the CUR 166 design procedure:
• Steps 6.1 and 6.3 determine the design moment and the shear force in the sheet
piling at the Ultimate Limit State using a low design value design value for the
modulus of subgrade reaction (k / γk). For step 6.1, the water and surface levels at
the passive side are increased whereas for step 6.3 they are lowered.
• Steps 6.2 and 6.4 determine the design moment and the shear force in the sheet
piling at the Ultimate Limit State using a high design value for the modulus of
subgrade reaction (k * 2.25). For step 6.2, the water and surface levels at the
passive side are increased whereas for step 6.4 they are lowered.
• Step 6.5 determines the design value for deformation at the Serviceability Limit
State.
• Step 9.1 determines the design value for the anchor force at the Ultimate Limit
State by increasing the anchor stiffness using the multiplication factor specified
in the input window (see above).
More detail on the procedure is given in [§ 29.3].
During all steps, MSheet assumes that low representative values have been entered for
cohesion and friction, as well as for the modulus of subgrade reaction (see Soil Layers
[§ 19.3.2]). The modified values of the soil properties and levels can be found in the
verification report [§ 21.3].
To start the verification, click Start. After analysis is complete, the results can be
viewed by opening the Verification Report window from the Results menu [§ 21.3].
20.6 Allowable Anchor Force
On the menu bar, click Calculation and then choose Allowable Anchor Force. This option
is only available when the CUR Verification option has been enabled [§ 19.1.1].
Figure 20-9 – Allowable Anchor Force window
Construction stage Select the stage for which the anchor force is to be verified.
during the selected stage only.
REFERENCE 207
Kranz [Lit 4] has derived formulas for a “short anchorage”; this means that the passive
slip surface from the sheet piling and the active slip surface from the anchor wall
intersect. This intersection leads to a reduced capacity of the soil resistance against the
anchor force. For a long anchorage, there is no intersection of the two slip surfaces and
therefore no reduction of soil resistance capacity. The applicability of the method for a
long anchorage is limited to anchor walls where the distance from the soil surface to
the toe of the anchor wall is smaller than approximately twice the height of the anchor
wall. Grout anchors are always considered a “short anchorage”. For background
information, see Allowable Anchor Force [chapter 26].
To perform the verification, click Start. The output displays the relevant input data,
the allowable anchor force and the resulting anchor force (Figure 20-10).
View the slip surface and key data by clicking the Draw Results button (see Figure
20-11).
Figure 20-10 – Allowable Anchor Force window showing results

Figure 20-11 – Allowable Anchor Force window – Draw Results
H The height of the anchor wall.

L The length of the anchor.
A The cross sectional area of the anchor.
Ea The horizontal component of the resulting active force on the slip plane
from the sheet piling alone.
Er The horizontal component of the resulting reaction force on the slip plane
from the toe of the sheet piling to the toe of the anchor wall (short
anchorage).
Eo The horizontal component of the resulting active force on the slip plane
from the anchor wall alone.
Ec The horizontal component of the force resulting from the cohesion along
the slip plane from the toe of the sheet piling to the toe of the anchor wall
(short anchorage).
Es The factor due to the anchor inclination.
Ep The horizontal component of the resulting passive force on the slip plane
from the anchor wall alone (long anchorage).
Fmax The allowable anchor force.
Fact The representative value of the acting force.
20.7 Overall Stability
On the menu bar, click Calculation and then choose Overall Stability. This option is only
available with the CUR Verification option enabled [§ 19.1.1].
REFERENCE 209
Figure 20-12 – Overall Stability window
Construction stage Choose the stage to be checked.

Safety class Choose the CUR 166 safety class [chapter 29]. For classes I to
III, MSheet will reduce soil strength parameters and increase
the driving moment according to CUR 166 table 2.7. Cohesion
and friction angle are divided by 1.5 and 1.2 respectively, for
all safety classes. The driving moment is multiplied by 0.9
(class I), 1.0 (class II) or 1.1 (class III).
Export calculation Use this option to generate input for a more detailed stability
results to MStab analysis with MStab.
After clicking OK, MSheet will use Bishop’s method [chapter 27] to find the critical slip
circle. The critical slip circle and stability factor are shown schematically in the result
window.
Figure 20-13 – Resulting Overall Stability

21
21 View results
The options in the Results menu can be used to view the results of the performed
calculations.
21.1 Report Selection
On the menu bar, click Results and then choose Report Selection to open the Report
Selection window. In this window the report content can be selected for viewing,
exporting and printing by marking the checkboxes in the tree view.
Figure 21-1 – Report Selection window

Include minor nodes Select this option to display tabular results for every finite
element node along the sheet piling, as opposed to just the
major nodes.
Multiple stage To apply the same result selection for all stages, first use the
selection Multiple stage selection tree view on the right hand side. By
clicking Apply to all stages, this general selection will be
applied to the tree view on the left hand side.
Graphs Clicking Select all and then Apply under Graphs will cause
pictures of the geometry and graphs of the moments, forces
and displacements to be included for all stages.
Click OK to generate a report with the selected content.
21.2 Report
On the menu bar, click Results and then choose Report to view the results of a regular
analysis, in report format with tables and graphs [§ 20.2].
Click the Print icon to print the report. Choose the Export Report option from the File
menu to save the report, for example in RTF format.
The report contains a selection from the following elements:

• Header with general data.
• Overview of general input.
• Summary of results: extreme values for all stages.
• Overview of the input for each construction stage, including modifications by a
selected partial factor set class. Also a diagram of the geometry with layers and
supports shown.
• Calculation results for each construction stage.
• Moments, forces, displacements and stresses along the sheet piling. Both tabular
and graphical output.
• Soil Collapse. Output of the integrated horizontal forces on the left and right
hand sides. MSheet calculates the mobilized force resistance from the ratio
between the actual force and the maximum force along the passive side. In cases
with a single support/anchor/strut, the maximum moment and the mobilized
moment are also calculated, around the location of the support. On the passive
side, MSheet only takes the stress contributions below that location into account.
• Vertical force balance [chapter 28], giving a rough indication of the upward forces
that result from the friction by soil movement on the active and passive sides.
This method is only useful if the friction is mainly caused by excavation, e.g. not
by normal forces.
• Anchors/Struts
REFERENCE 213
The report is largely self-descriptive. Figure 21-2 displays fragments of the result
sections.
Figure 21-2 – Report fragments

21.3 Verification Report
On the menu bar, click Results and then choose Verification Report to view the report
for a CUR 166 verification analysis performed using the Verify Sheet Piling option from
the Results menu [§ 20.5].
Click on the Print icon to print the report. Choose the Export Report option from the
File menu to save the report, for example in RTF format.
The verification report contains:

• General input of the project.
• Table overview of the results obtained for the selected stages of the Verify Sheet
Piling window [§ 20.5], for six CUR 166 steps (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 and 9.1) plus
step 6.5 using a multiplication of 1.2 for the displacement, moment and force.
• State of anchors and struts for each selected stages.
• Possible warnings indicating if uplift or instability occur during a stage.
• Inputs and results as described in the regular analysis report [§ 21.2], for each
selected stage and for the six CUR 166 steps.
For background information on the CUR 166 verification steps, see [§ 29.3].
Figure 21-3 – Verification Report fragments

REFERENCE 215
21.4 Moments, Forces and Displacements
On the menu bar, click Results and then choose Moment/Force/Displacement Charts to
view graphs of the bending moments, shear forces and displacements along the sheet
piling.
Figure 21-4 – Moment/Force/Displacement Charts window
Click the Previous stage and Next stage icons, , to view the results of the other
Click on the Print icon to print the displayed graphics.
Click the right hand mouse button, and choose View Data to open the Chart Data
window. In this window the data used to generate the charts can be viewed and
copied, for example for use in spreadsheets.
Note that the anchor force, Fanchor given is the actual total force in the anchor, whilst
the shear force illustrated as acting on the sheet pile wall is only the horizontal
component of the anchor force. Thus the size of the “jump” in the shear force diagram
will only be the same as the value given for Fanchor if the anchor is horizontal.
21.5 Verification Moments, Forces and Displacements
On the menu bar, click Results and then choose Verification Moment/Force/Displacement
Charts to plot graphs of the bending moments, shear forces and displacements along
the sheet piling from a CUR 166 verification analysis performed using the Verify Sheet
Piling option from the Results menu [§ 20.5].
Figure 21-6 – Verification Moment/Force/Displacement Charts window

REFERENCE 217
The verification graphs are available for the selected stage, for all six CUR 166
verification steps (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 and 9.1). See also the description for the
Moment/Force/Displacement Charts from a regular analysis [§ 21.4].
Click the View Verification Step icon to open a diagram of the changes made for the
selected verification step. For background information on the CUR 166 verification
steps, see [§ 29.3].
21.6 Stress State Charts
On the menu bar, click Results and then choose Stress State Charts to plot graphs of the
effective stress, water pressure and resulting stress acting on the sheet pile wall.
Figure 21-7 – Stress State Charts window
Click the Previous stage and Next stage buttons, , to view the results of the other
Click the Print button to print the displayed graphics.
Click the right hand mouse button, and choose View Data to open the Chart Data
window. In this window the data used to generate the charts can be viewed and
copied, for example for use in spreadsheets.
21.7 Stress Diagrams
On the menu bar, click Results and then choose Stress Diagrams to view the effective
stress σ’, the pore pressure U and the resulting stress R acting on the sheet pile wall,
displayed over the soil, sheet piling and anchorage.
Figure 21-9 –Stress Diagrams window

REFERENCE 219
Click the Previous stage and Next stage icons, , to view the results of the other
Click the Print icon to print the displayed graphics.
Click the σ’, U and R buttons to view the different stress representations.
22
22 E-Consult module
During the analysis of a sheet pile wall, after verifying the wall’s stability, it is also
important to perform a feasibility check. For this purpose, the use of the E-Consult
module helps the user to evaluate the feasibility of a project by comparison with prior
experiences. Two experience sources are available in the E-Consult module:
• In order to check the feasibility of sheet pile driving, the NVAF (Nederlandse
Vereniging Aannemers Funderingstechnieken) has written a number of
instructions in a handbook [Lit 20] published in 2002. The E-Consult module
supports part of this by means of the so-called NVAF lines, representing the
relation between the sheet piling length and the resisting moment. These lines
and the way to use them are presented in [§ 22.1].
• At the same time, a project called GeoBrain was started in 2002 at GeoDelft which
aims to develop a prediction model for the feasibility of different types of
geotechnical engineering works. The details of hundreds of projects involving the
driving of sheet pilings were received for study. The E-Consult module gives access
for the user to those experiences, as explained in [§ 22.2].
To open the E-Consult Sheet Piling Installation module window, click the Sheet Pile
Installation option from the E-Consult menu.
22.1 NVAF lines
When the Show NVAF lines option from the E-Consult Sheet Pile Installation window is
selected, the chart shown in Figure 22-1 appears, representing the relation between
the resisting moment and the sheet pile length. Different lines are represented
corresponding to different driving strengths in kN.
Figure 22-1 – E-Consult Sheet Pile Installation window, Show NVAF lines option
In the Experience lines NVAF option, different lines can be selected from a menu, as
Figure 22-2 – Experience lines NVAF menu
A distinction is made between High Frequency (HF) and Low Frequency (LF) vibrations
for the sheet pile driving. For both vibration frequencies, general charts (ending with
the number 5, 10, 15 or 20, for example HF 15) and charts for the most important
cities of the Netherlands (for example HF Rotterdam) are available. The final number of
the general charts corresponds to the average cone resistance of the soil in MPa. For
example, <LF 10> means sheet pilings driven using low frequency vibrations in a soil
having an average cone resistance of 10 MPa.
In the graph Resisting moment vs. Sheet Pile length, the current sheet pile input is
indicated by a blue point [§ 19.2.4]. According to Figure 22-1, it is an <AZ 13> sheet
piling profile with a resisting moment of 1300 cm3/m’ and a length of 16 m. If this
point lies below the NVAF-lines, successful pile driving is guaranteed for the selected
sheet piling profile. If the point lies above the NVAF-lines (which is the case in Figure
22-1), damage could occur during pile driving. In the latter case, the sheet piling
REFERENCE 223
properties need to be changed either by decreasing the sheet pile length, or by

increasing the resisting moment.
To do this, click the Browse button on the right side of the Resisting moment input
field. In the Sheet Piling Profiles Library window displayed (see [§ 19.2.4]), select a
sheet piling profile which matches with the required condition. This selected profile is
indicated with a black square in the graph Resisting moment vs. Sheet pile length. In
our case, a <PU 17> profile with a resisting moment of 1715 cm3/m’ is selected, as
Figure 22-3 – E-Consult Sheet Pile Installation window after manual selection of sheet
piling profile PU 17
New calculations must be performed with this new profile to verify the sheet piling
stability [chapter 20].
For a detailed description on the use of the E-Consult module with NVAF experience
lines, see the Experience data tutorial example [chapter 15] or [Lit 20].
22.2 Experiences
When selecting the Show Experiences option from the E-Consult Sheet Pile Installation
window, the chart of Figure 22-4 below appears, representing Resisting moment vs.
Sheet pile length. Each point represented corresponds to a performed project. Different
colors and markers are used for the points depending on whether the experience was
Good, Moderate or Poor.
Figure 22-4 – E-Consult Sheet Pile Installation window, Show Experiences option
In the Region option, different regions from the Netherlands can be selected from a
menu, as shown in Figure 22-5.
Figure 22-5 – Region menu
To get the most relevant information about each project, move the cursor over the
project. To view all of the information, click on the project and read the following
information at the right side of E-Consult Sheet Piling Installation module window:
Projectnaam The name of the project.
Datum uitvoering The date of construction.
Straat en Plaats The location of the project: street and the city names.
Sondering The name of the *.gef file containing the boring results.
Type profiel The type of sheet piling profile.
Enkele planken Single sheet piling: Ja = Yes and Nee = No.
Dubbele planken Double sheet piling: Ja = Yes and Nee = No.
Drieling planken Triple sheet piling: Ja = Yes and Nee = No.
Lengte van planken The length of the sheet piling.
Gebruikt trilblok The type of vibration used.
REFERENCE 225
Hoog/laag frequent The type of vibration frequency: Hoog = High and Laag = Low.
Project resultaat The characteristic of the project results: Goed = Good,
Matig = Moderate and Slecht = Poor.
In Figure 22-4 it can be seen that the blue circle and black box denoting MSheet and
manual input respectively lie within the general area for which experience has been
obtained. This is an indication that the installation has a fairly common combination of
sheet pile length and resisting moment, although if there are a lot of Poor experiences
near to an input this could be an indication that the combination is likely to
experience problems on installation.
When using the E-Consult module, the aim is not to judge the feasibility of the project
as input into MSheet but only to provide the user with experiences on practical
feasibility. The user retains the final responsibility for the project.
Introduction
Tutorial
Reference
Background
Verification
23
23 Governing Equation
The retaining wall is modeled as an elastic beam on a foundation of uncoupled springs

(representing the soil). MSheet applies the assumption of Bernoulli; this means that
cross-sections of the beam are assumed to remain straight and perpendicular to the
beam axis. The behavior of such a beam can be described by the following differential
equation:
d 4w d 2w
( 13 ) bEI ⋅ 4
+N⋅ = bf (x , w )
dx dx 2
where:
w = the horizontal displacement of the beam
f = the total pressure on the beam per running meter, including the reaction
of the soil springs
EI = the flexural stiffness of the beam (E = Young’s modulus, I = moment of
inertia)
x = the co-ordinate along the axis of the beam
N = the normal force in the beam
b = the acting width of the beam
MSheet solves equation ( 13 ) numerically using the finite element method. This means
that the wall is divided into a number of sub-sections (called elements) that are
connected at the edges. These connections are called nodes. At these nodes, the
displacements and rotations of both connected elements are equal, thus creating a
continuous beam.
MSheet automatically defines the position of the nodes. Nodes are always created at:
• boundaries of soil layers
• boundaries of water pressures
• boundaries of wall segments with different properties
• points with discontinuities (for example, an anchor point).
The length of an element never exceeds 1/20 of the total wall length. Each element is
further sub-divided into 5 sections. Displacements, shear forces, bending moments and
horizontal water and soil pressures are determined for each boundary of a section.
24
24 Lateral Earth Pressure Ratio
The lateral earth pressure ratio K is defined as the ratio between the horizontal and
vertical effective stresses.
σ h'
( 14 ) K =
σv'
Initial Stress
MSheet uses Jáky’s formula to determine the lateral stress ratio at initial stress, see
[§ 24.1] below.
Yield
MSheet uses slip surface theories to determine the lateral stress for active and passive
yielding. Passive yielding occurs when the ultimate soil stress under compression is
reached. Active yielding occurs when the ultimate soil stress under extension is
reached.
The assumed shape of the slip surface will influence the calculated earth pressure
values. Theoretically, straight slip surfaces only occur when wall friction is absent.
Since wall friction is always present in reality, actual slip surfaces will always be
curved. However, when determining the active lateral earth pressure there is just a
minor difference between values based on straight and curved slip surfaces. On the
other hand, a passive lateral earth pressure based on a straight slip surface can
considerably exaggerate the real value. This is especially true for soils with high
friction angles (φ). The Muller-Breslau and Culmann methods of determining earth
pressure coefficients is based upon straight slip surfaces. Using straight slip surfaces
has limitations, as described in the NEN 6740, 12.4.2.2 [Lit 12] and CUR 166 [Lit 16].
Generally the Muller-Breslau (and Culmann) method is used when the soil’s friction
angle, phi, is equal or less than 30°. The Kotter method is generally used for larger
friction angles. The method selected also has an impact on the way the delta friction
angle is determined. Suggestions for correlations between the friction angle and the
delta friction angle are available in literature.
The information in the following sections describes how MSheet determines the yield
values of the lateral stress ratio for the following methods:
• Culmann: straight slip surfaces with arbitrary directions.
• Müller-Breslau: straight slip surface, assuming zero weight and horizontal surface.
• Kötter: curved slip surface, assuming zero weight and horizontal surface.
Surcharge
When a surcharge is present, MSheet determines an additional lateral pressure ratio,
using Boussinesq’s equation [§ 24.5], to obtain the neutral earth pressure. The
Culmann method is used to determine the active and passive earth pressures.
24.1 Initial Stress
MSheet determines the neutral coefficient of earth pressure (at rest) for a horizontal
soil surface using Jáky’s formula [Lit 10]:
( 15 ) K 0 = 1 − sin φ
This formula applies to normally consolidated soil and is not valid for soils with high
degrees of overconsolidation.
24.2 Culmann
For non-horizontal soil surfaces, values of the coefficients of active and passive lateral
earth pressure (Ka and Kp) can be found using Culmann’s formulas [Lit 3].
N Q
Q N T
T B
Figure 24-1 – Lateral earth pressure using Culmann’s method

BACKGROUND 233
The method is based on the equilibrium between the applied surcharge B, the soil
weight W, the total force from the sheet piling Q, the normal force N and the shear
force T along one straight slip surface, as illustrated below. The Culmann method takes
the stratification of soil along the slip surface into account. MSheet iteratively
determines a slip surface that results in the maximum active pressure and the
minimum passive pressure. From this calculated pressure, MSheet determines different
coefficients in each point from the top to the toe of the sheet pile wall.
24.3 Müller-Breslau (straight slip surface)
The formula of Müller-Breslau [Lit 1] assumes a straight slip surface with an angle in
homogeneous soil:
⎛π φ ⎞
⎜ ± ⎟
⎝4 2⎠
MSheet uses the following equations, which have been simplified by assuming a
vertical sheet pile wall and horizontal ground surface:
cos2 φ
( 16 ) Ka = 2
⎜ 1 + sin φ sin(φ + δ ) ⎟
⎛ ⎞
⎜ cos δ ⎟
⎝ ⎠
and
cos2 φ
( 17 ) Kp = 2
⎜ 1 − sin φ sin(φ + δ ) ⎟
⎛ ⎞
⎜ cos δ ⎟
⎝ ⎠
where:
δ = the angle of wall friction
φ = the soil friction angle
The validity of equation ( 17 ) is limited to the following conditions for sheet pilings
with a rough surface:
• φ ≤ 30° for rough steel sheet pilings and comparable walls
• φ ≤ 35° for rough concrete sheet pilings.
Negative δ values cannot be entered. MSheet will add a negative sign to δ when
determining Kp.
24.4 Kötter (Curved Slip Surfaces)
For calculations based on curved slip surfaces, MSheet uses formulas based on Kötter’s
equations [Lit 2]. These equations assume the following:
• an unloaded horizontal soil surface
• homogeneous soil with a volumetric weight of zero
• a slip plane consisting of a logarithmic spiral and a straight part.
⎛⎛ π ⎞ ⎞
⎜ ⎜ − + φ + 2α ⎟ ⋅ tan φ ⎟⎟
⎛ 1 − sin φ ⋅ sin(2α + φ ) ⎞ ⎜⎝ ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎠
( 18 ) K a = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ (1 + sin φ ) ⎠
sin δ
with α defined by cos(2α + ϕ − δ ) =
sin ϕ
⎛⎛ π ⎞ ⎞
⎜ ⎜ +φ −2α ⎟⋅tan φ ⎟⎟
⎛ 1 + sin φ ⋅ sin(2α − φ ) ⎞ ⎜⎝ ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎠
( 19 ) K p = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ (1 − sin φ ) ⎠
sin δ
with α defined by cos(2α + ϕ − δ ) =
sin ϕ
24.5 Surcharge according to Boussinesq
MSheet uses Boussinesq’s formula to determine the additional horizontal earth

pressures due to the surcharge loads [Lit 11]. MSheet also models a non-horizontal
surface as a horizontal surface with an applied surcharge load.
NOTE: If the distance between the surcharge and the wall exceeds 5 times the
height of the wall, MSheet does not take the surcharge into account.
The formula is based on the principle of superposition. A specific surcharge can

therefore be achieved by applying multiple line loads. Since the original formula is
valid for a homogeneous, semi-infinite solid, some adaptation is needed in order to
include the influence of the sheet pile wall.
Therefore, a multiplication factor f is applied to the Boussinesq stress, resulting in the

following formula:
2Px 2 y
( 20 ) σh = f
πr 4
BACKGROUND 235
where:
σh = additional horizontal earth pressure due to line load
f = 1 for x > 1
f = 2 - x/l for x ≤ 1
r² = x² + y²
P = line load [kN/m]
x,y = horizontal and vertical coordinates [m].
25
25 Soil Strength and Stiffness
MSheet uses an elasto-plastic description to model the strength and the stiffness of
soil. In an elasto-plastic description, the equivalent stiffness during virgin loading
differs from the elastic stiffness during unloading/reloading. The strength and stiffness
can be changed between different construction stages.
25.1 Strength
When applying the calculation formulas of Müller-Breslau or Kötter, MSheet uses the
equations below to determine the yield stresses from the active and passive lateral
effective earth pressures.
( 21 ) σ a ' = K a ⋅ σ v '−2c K a
( 22 ) σ p ' = K p ⋅ σ v '+2c K p
with σv‘ ≥ 0 and σp‘ ≥ σo‘ ≥ σa‘ ≥ 0.
The linear distribution of vertical stress that MSheet assumes in order to apply these
formulas is only accurate for zero or uniform loads and horizontal surfaces.
Wall Friction
The following values for the angle of wall friction (Table 25-1) may be used for clay,
silt, sand and gravel. In the case of peat, the angle of wall friction should be set to
zero.
Table 25-1 - Angle of wall friction values

wall surface roughness δ for straight slip δ for curved slip
surface surface
very rough > 10 d50 0.67 φ
rough 0.5 -10 d50 0.67 φ ≤φ -2.5° and
≤ 27.5°
semi-rough 0.1-0.5 d50 0.33 φ ½φ
smooth < 0.1 d50 0 0
25.2 Stiffness
The modulus of subgrade reaction, k describes the ratio between an increment of

horizontal stress and an increment of sheet pile wall displacement.
dσ H
( 23 ) k=
dw H
The modulus of subgrade reaction is not a constant value, but actually depends on the
depth in the soil and the magnitude of the deformation. Correlation with other data is
commonly used (for example, with a cone penetration resistance qc or a Young’s
modulus). General guidelines on how to determine the modulus of subgrade reaction
are contained in Terzaghi [Lit 6] and Ménard [Lit 8]. For Dutch conditions, additional
guidelines are provided in CUR publication 166 [Lit 5]. Fortunately, the influence of a
change in the value of k on the resulting moments, forces and displacements is
relatively small, since the effect of k is only to the power of 1/4 (see equation ( 13 ) in
[chapter 23]).
Unloading in MSheet results in elasto-plastic behavior, as shown in Figure 25-1, below:
σh D A σp
σa C
B
displacement w
Figure 25-1 – Elasto-plastic behavior

BACKGROUND 239
25.3 Construction Stages
In MSheet, a calculation may involve several “construction stages”. From stage to stage
soil pressures can change due to excavation, a change in the water table, etc.
In such a case, MSheet uses the following calculation procedure to determine the soil
stress and stiffness.
• If the vertical stress changes, MSheet performs a shift in the diagram that relates
the horizontal stress to the displacement. The horizontal stress increment is
related to the vertical stress increment by means of Δσ H = K 0 Δσ V (see Figure
25-2 below).
• New horizontal soil pressures acting on the wall (σh*) are determined on the basis
of the new spring characteristics (k*) and the wall displacement from the previous
stage (w0 in the illustration).
• These new pressures mean that there is no longer equilibrium for the wall
displacement w0. Therefore, new displacements are calculated (based on the new
spring characteristics).
horizontal earth
pressure
σ ∗p
σ*h
arctan k* σp
σh
Δσ = σ∗n - σn
arctan k
∗
σ
a
σ
a
W displacement w
o
Figure 25-2 – Shift of horizontal stress values between stages

26
26 Allowable anchor force
MSheet checks if the stability of the anchor wall is influenced by the stability of the
sheet piling. MSheet assumes straight slip planes for this check and uses the Culmann
method to determine the active slip plane from the rotation point of the sheet pile
wall and the passive plane from the toe of the anchor wall. The rotation point of the
sheet pile wall is taken to be the first point above the toe of the wall for which the
shear force is zero.
• If the slip planes intersect, the anchor is treated as a short anchorage [§ 26.1]
and a slip plane from the rotation point of the sheet piling to the toe of the
anchor wall is assumed according to Kranz theory [Lit 4].
• If the slip planes do not intersect, the anchor is treated as a long anchorage
[§ 26.2] and the plate is analyzed as a stand-alone anchorage plate.
Grout anchors are always considered as a short anchorage.
26.1 Short anchorage
For a short anchorage, the active and passive slip planes intersect, as shown in Figure
26-1. The analysis is therefore performed assuming a deep slide plane between the
retaining wall rotation point and the toe of the anchor wall.
passive slip active slip

plane plane
β
T
Eo
L
H Ec
Ea
Er
π ϕ
4 2
H -T
θ = arc tan
L cos B
rotation point
Figure 26-1 – Stability of anchor wall for a short anchor (Kranz theory)
The equilibrium of the forces from the sheet piling, the anchor plate, the slip plane
and the weight of vertical soil slices lead to the allowable anchor force:
E a − (E0 + Er ) + E c
( 24 ) P=
Es
where:
E a = 1 K aγ H 2 − 2c K a H Active pressure on the sheet pile
2
E o = 1 K aγ T 2 − 2c K aT Active pressure on the anchor wall
2
H +T
E r = γ L cos β tan(θ − ϕ ) Horizontal pressure on deep slide plane
2
E C = cL cos β Horizontal cohesive force along the slide plane
E S = cos β − sin β tan(θ − ϕ ) Factor due to the anchor inclination
1 − sin ϕ
Ka = Lateral earth pressure ratio at active yielding
1 + sin ϕ
26.2 Long anchor
For a long anchorage, the active and passive slip planes do not intersect, as indicated
in Figure 26-2.
BACKGROUND 243
Ep
E0 T
H
π ϕ
4 2
Figure 26-2 – Stability of anchor wall for a long anchor
The equilibrium of the forces from the sheet piling and the anchor plate lead to the
allowable anchor force:
( 25 ) P = E p − E0
where:
E p = 1 K p γ T 2 + 2c K p T Passive pressure on the anchor wall
2
E0 = 1 K aγ T 2 − 2c K a T Active pressure on the anchor wall
2
1 − sin ϕ
Ka = Lateral earth pressure ratio at active yielding
1 + sin ϕ
1 + sin ϕ
Kp = Lateral earth pressure ratio at passive yielding
1 − sin ϕ
NOTE: The applicability of the method for long anchorage is limited to anchor walls
where T is smaller than approximately twice the height of the anchor wall.
27
27 Overall Stability
MSheet uses the Bishop method with circular slip planes to estimate the overall soil
stability [Lit 22].
A stability analysis according to Bishop assumes a circular slip surface, defined by a

center point and a tangent line. MSheet uses a grid of trial center points for the centre
of the slip surface. The initial center points range from 4 m above to 4 m below the top
of the sheet piling in the vertical direction, and from 1 m to 7 m from the sheet piling
on the passive side in the horizontal direction. The grid spacing is 1 meter in each
direction. Twelve trial tangent lines are used, ranging from 1 m below the toe of the
sheet piling to half the length of the sheet piling below the toe. MSheet iteratively
moves the grid of trial center points in the direction of the lowest safety factor.
MSheet assumes that all uniform loads end at a distance from the wall of 5 times the
length of the sheet piling. MSheet does not take into account any stability reduction
due to an intersection of the slip plane with the anchorage plate.
peat peat
AZ 13
clay clay
sand sand
Figure 27-1 – Circular slip surface according to Bishop method

Optionally an input file and geometry file can be written for further stability analysis
with MStab see [§ 20.7]. Cohesion and phi are written as representative values. A non-
uniform surcharge from MSheet is written to the MStab input file as a mean value. This
may create a small difference between the stability results from MStab and MSheet.
28
28 Vertical Force Balance
The vertical force balance check checks that the sum of the forces acting downwards
on the sheet pile wall does not exceed the resistance of the soil at the toe of the wall.
MSheet determines the resulting vertical force in the upward direction. Usually a
negative value will result, meaning the actual force is acting downward and will be
transmitted to the soil at the toe of the sheet piling.
MSheet considers the following contributions to the vertical force acting on the sheet
pile wall:
• Normal forces acting on the wall;
• The vertical component of anchor forces;
• The resulting force downwards from friction on the active side;
• The resulting force upwards from friction on the passive side.
• The dead weight of the sheet piling is neglected. The resulting vertical force by
friction is determined by integration along the sheet piling, assuming that the vertical
stress is equal to the horizontal stress times the tangent of the wall friction angle δ.
MSheet cannot determine the vertical forces caused by soil friction in detail, because
the required knowledge of the relative vertical displacement history is not produced as
a result of MSheet analysis. By default MSheet uses the safe assumption that friction
acts downwards on the active side, and upwards on the passive side (Figure 28-1). This
assumption is only useful if the default direction of the friction along the sheet piling
is mainly caused by the effect of the excavation itself. This may not be the case when
normal force loading also occurs.
Figure 28-1 – Assumed vertical friction forces
The calculated resulting vertical force is compared to the vertical force capacity of the
soil:
• If Fv ≤ Fmax , the vertical force capacity is sufficient
• If Fv > Fmax , the vertical force capacity is not sufficient
where:
ξpr ;max; po int Ab

( 26 ) Fmax =
γ m,b
where:
F msx = vertical force capacity
ξ = cone resistance factor
pr;point;max = representative cone resistance
A = cross-sectional area (unplugged – pile only, plugged – pile and soil)
B = acting width
γm,b = partial material factor
MSheet performs this check for the case where plugging does not occur and also where
it does. In this latter case the area is taken to be the cross-sectional area of the sheet
piling plus the area of the plugged soil.
The maximum point resistance, pr,max;point is a special average cone resistance, as defined
in the Dutch design code NEN 6743 article 5.3.3.1 [Lit 13]:
q c ; I ; mean + q c ; II ; mean
( 27 ) pr , max; po int = 1 / 2.α p βs( + q c ; III .mean )
2
with:
qc;I;mean Mean cone resistance over trajectory I, between the pile point level and a
level 0.7 to 4 times the equivalent diameter deeper (with this lower depth
selected to make pr;max;point a minimum).
qc;II;mean Mean cone resistance over trajectory II, starting at the bottom of trajectory
I and ending at the pile point, with this value not larger than the previous
value in the trajectory.
BACKGROUND 249
qc;III;mean Mean cone resistance over trajectory III, between the pile point level to a
level 8 times the equivalent diameter higher, with this value not larger
than the previous value in the trajectory.
αp Pile factor, ranging from 0.5 for some bored piles types to 1.0 for some
driven piles.
β Pile base shape factor.
s Pile base cross-section shape factor.
For special exceptions and further definition of factors see the NEN standard 6743 [Lit
13] (also available in English).
The CUR method allows some modifications to be made should the vertical balance not
be met, as described below:
If the vertical balance is not met, assuming wall friction upwards on the passive side
and downwards on the active side, then the wall begins to move downwards (relative
to the soil on both sides of the wall). This means that the friction on the active side
will now also be acting upwards. The user can therefore enter a negative value for δ,
the wall friction angle, in the bottom layer on the active side only (a new soil type will
need to be defined with this new wall friction value, and the active and passive sides
will need different profiles). This will have the effect of reversing the friction direction
on the side with this negative δ. If the vertical force balance is still not met with this
different friction direction in the bottom layer then the friction direction in the second
layer up on the active side can also be reversed in the same manner, and so on.
29
29 The CUR 166 step-by-step
design procedure
In general, sheet piling design involves the analysis of all relevant Ultimate Limit
States (Failure) and Serviceability Limit States during each stage of construction. The
CUR step-by-step procedure described in CUR publication 166 [Lit 5] was developed to
design a sheet pile wall with a single anchorage, using a semi-probabilistic method. As
described below, MSheet supports specific parts of the CUR design procedure.
29.1 Semi-probabilistic approach
A probabilistic design is based on a particular required safety level that is related to

the probability of an occurrence. In this semi-probabilistic approach, variations of soil
properties, sheet piling properties, loading and geometry are taken into account by
dividing representative values (also called characteristic values) by so-called partial
safety factors. A representative value can be a low value, a nominal (average/mean)
value or a high value. The low and high values are usually defined as the values that
will be exceeded by 5 % of the samples during testing.
The values of the partial safety factors are determined by the mechanism being
considered, by the variation of the parameter, and by the required safety level. The
value of a partial safety factor for a certain parameter is usually indicated by design
codes or guidelines.
The use of representative values in combination with partial factors yields a high
and/or low design value for each parameter. Analysis of different combinations of the
high and low values of parameters inside a variation study can be used to check
whether failure is always prevented or if serviceability is still ensured at the required
safety level.
Probability
of this value
occuring
5% 5%
low normal high value
Figure 29-1 – Low, nominal and high representative values
The partial safety factors provided in design guidelines are in turn derived from the
required values of a reliability index β. The equation below, for example, produces the
low design value for a normally distributed parameter X with mean μ and standard
deviation σ.
( 28 ) X = μ − αβσ
The α in this expression is used as an influence parameter to model the predominance

of the parameter in relation to the considered failure mechanism.
The CUR design procedure distinguishes the following three safety classes, with
corresponding reliability indexes:
Class I Relatively simple constructions, no personal safety risks and relatively minor
damage in the case of overall failure. β = 2.5
Class II Considerable damage in the case of overall failure; minor personal safety
risks. β = 3.4
Class III Major damage in the case of overall failure and/or considerable personal
safety risks. β = 4.2
29.2 Partial Factors: one stage or all stages
The CUR 166 procedure itself does not prescribe whether partial factors on strength and
load should be applied to all construction stages, or just to the stage that is checked.
Application of partial factors during only one stage can be beneficial, because it allows
lower safety factors to be applied during previous stages. MSheet supports the
BACKGROUND 253
application of partial factors to both individual stages and to all construction stages
[§ 29.3].
Method I applies the partial factor set to all construction stages. Method II checks all
stages as a “final” stage. This method assumes low representative values, with no
partial factors, for all stages apart from the “final” stage being checked. The partial
factors corresponding to the selected safety class are only applied to the “final” stage.
Using method II allows each stage to be checked (as a “final” stage) using a different
safety class, which can result in a more economical design. Method I, however, gives a
more conservative approach and requires less calculation.
29.3 Support of the CUR 166 step-by-step procedure by

MSheet
In CUR publication 166 [Lit 5], the design of a sheet piling with single anchorage is
summarized by defining 11 steps. MSheet supports particular parts of the following
steps:
Step 5: Determine the minimum length of the sheet piling using a
stability analysis [§ 20.4] including modified soil properties, surface
levels and water levels. Modification is performed according to sub-
step 6.3 (as described below)
Step 6: Determine the design values for sheet piling dimensions
Five combinations of modified soil properties, surface levels and
water levels. Those five combinations are referred as sub-steps 6.1,
6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5.
Modified soil properties are calculated by applying partial factors on
the input low representative values for cohesion, friction and
modulus of subgrade reaction of the soil. Modified ground and water
levels are calculated by applying level variations on the input water
levels at the active and passive sides and on the input ground level
at the passive side. Figure 29-2 to Figure 29-6 gives a schematic
representation of the modifications for each sub-steps and Table
29-1 gives an overview of the design values for each sub-steps.
If safety classes I, II or III are selected, the values of the partial
factors and level variations according to table 3.7 of [Lit 5] are used
(see Table 29-2).
If the user-defined class is selected, the values of the partial factors
and level variations defined in the Default window [§ 19.1.2] are
used. This allows checking against another design code, such as the
Eurocode 7.
The design values for the Surcharges [§ 19.4.2] and Uniform Loads
[§ 19.4.1] are calculated using the input partial factor in the
corresponding window. Values of partial factors for permanent or
temporary loads are prescribed in table 3.7 of [Lit 5]. Mean values
of bending stiffness [§ 19.2.1] and anchor stiffness [§ 19.5.1] must
be entered. See tables 3.1 and 3.3 of [Lit 5] for representative
values of soil parameters. MSheet offers the “Lowest” values of the
modulus of subgrade reaction according to table 3.3 in [§ 19.3.2]. If
the “Highest” values are required the user needs to input them
manually, multiplying the “Lowest” value by 2.25.
For a given length of the sheet piling, MSheet calculates the
maximum moment and the maximum displacement obtained from
the five sub-steps. If 100 % of the mobilized resistance or more
than 25 % of the maximum displacement are reached, the sheet
piling is considered to be unstable.
Step 7: Determine the design moment [§ 20.5] in the sheet piling by
performing analysis for the five combinations of Step 6 presented
above. The design moment corresponds to the maximum moment
determined from the five sub-steps.
Step 9: Determine the design anchor force [§ 20.5] by performing
analysis for the five combinations of Step 6 presented above using a
higher value for the anchor stiffness. This new stiffness is
determined using a multiplication factor specified by the user (see
the Verify Sheet Piling window of the Verify Sheet Piling calculation
in [§ 20.5]) according to the selected safety class. The design
anchor force corresponds to the maximum anchor force determined
from the five sub-steps
Step 9.7: Check vertical force balance [§ 21.2] with the simplified
assumption of total friction on the active and passive sides. If the
vertical balance is not met then reversal of the wall friction force
direction in the lower layers is permitted. See [chapter 28] for
background information.
Step 10: Determine the design displacements [§ 20.5] from the
Serviceability Limit State calculation which corresponds to Step 6.5.
This means that the input low representative values for the
cohesion, friction and modulus of subgrade reaction are used to find
the design value, with no modification on the input ground and
water levels needed.
Step 11.1: Check anchor wall stability [§ 20.6] using the Kranz method. See
[chapter 26] for background information.
BACKGROUND 255
Step 11.3: Check overall sheet piling stability [§ 20.7] using the Bishop
method. The strength parameter of cohesion and the friction angle
phi are divided by 1.5 and 1.2 respectively, for all safety classes (for
safety classes see [§ 29.1]). The driving moment is multiplied by 0.9
(class I), 1.0 (class II) or 1.1 (class III) as prescribed in table 3.11
from CUR 166. For background information, see [chapter 27].
Table 29-1 – Design values of soil properties, ground level and water level according to
Step 6 of the CUR 166 procedure
Step Limit k(1) c, tan ϕ, tan δ Ground (GL) and water (WL) levels
State passive side active side
6.1 ULS klow,rep / γk Xlow,rep / γ GLrep - Δ WLrep + Δ WLrep + Δ
6.2 ULS khigh,rep / 1.0 Xlow,rep / γ GLrep - Δ WLrep + Δ WLrep + Δ
6.3 ULS klow,rep / γk Xlow,rep / γ GLrep - Δ WLrep - Δ WLrep + Δ
6.4 ULS khigh,rep / 1.0 Xlow,rep / γ GLrep - Δ WLrep - Δ WLrep + Δ
6.5 SLS klow,rep Xlow,rep GLrep WLrep WLrep
(1)
The high representative value of the modulus of subgrade reaction khigh,rep is
determined by multiplying the input low representative value klow,rep by 2.25.
Table 29-2 – Partial factors and level variations according to Table 3.7 of the CUR 166
design procedure
Parameter γ or Δ used Safety class I Safety class II Safety class III
by MSheet?
Cohesion γ 1.00 1.00 1.10
Tan (phi) γ 1.05 1.15 1.20
Surface level Δ 0.20 0.30 0.35
(passive side)
Phreatic line Δ 0.15 0.20 0.25
(passive side)
Phreatic line Δ 0.05 0.05 0.05
(active side)
Table 29-3 – Partial factors applied to uniform loads according to CUR 166.
Load Effect Safety class I Safety class II Safety class III
Favorable 1.00 1.00 1.00
Unfavorable 1.00 1.00 1.25
step 6.1
Figure 29-2 – Schematic representation of the soil stiffness, surface levels and water
levels modifications according to step 6.1 of the CUR 166 design procedure
step 6.2
step 6.3
BACKGROUND 257
step 6.4
step 6.5
step 9.1
Figure 29-7 – Schematic representation of the anchor stiffness modification according

to step 9.1 of the CUR 166 design procedure
NOTE: For steps 6.1 to 6.4, if the water level exceeds the ground level when
increased, then it is set equal to the ground level.
30
30 Initial stage
MSheet offers a special option to deal with initially non-horizontal surfaces, or initial
surcharges. A previously existing sheet pile wall will deform if a surcharge is later
applied or the surface profile altered, whereas if there is a surcharge already present or
if the ground surface is not horizontal at the time of installation, the sheet pile wall
will not deform until a change is made at a later time.
Without the initial stage option

When this option is not used, a non-horizontal surface or surcharge in the first stage
will cause deformations of the sheet piling. It is assumed that a non-horizontal surface
or surcharge on one side of the sheet piling will only cause additional horizontal
stresses on that side of the sheet pile wall.
loading of sheet pile

wall as as result of
a non-horizontal
surface or a surcharge
Figure 30-1 – Effect of a surcharge when not using the initial stage
( 29 ) σ h.load.left = fh.left σ h.boussinesq.left
( 30 ) σ h.load.right = fh.right σ h.boussinesq.right

The stress following from the Boussinesq assumption is multiplied by a factor f to

account for the existence of the sheet piling, see Surcharge according to Boussinesq
[§ 24.5].
With the initial stage option

When the initial stage option is used, MSheet simply assumes that the initial stress
contribution resulting from a non-horizontal surface or an initial surcharge is
transferred to both sides of the sheet piling, see equation ( 31 ).
loading of left hand

side of sheet pile wall loading of left hand
as the result of a side of sheet pile wall
non-horizontal surface or as the result of a
a surcharge non-horizontal surface or
a surcharge
Figure 30-2 – Effect of a surcharge when using the initial stage option
( 31 ) σ h.load.left = σ h.load.right = σ h.boussinesq.left + σ h.boussinesq.right
The neutral stress changes when the initial stage option is used, whilst the active and
passive yield stresses remain the same as when the initial stress option is not used.
This is illustrated in Figure 30-3 below.
same side as surcharge side without surcharge
horizontal σp horizontal σp
stress stress
with initial
σn
σa without initial
σn without initial σa
with initial
displacement displacement
Figure 30-3 – Soil stresses on both sides of the sheet pile wall, with and without the
initial stage option being used
On both sides of the sheet piling, the same value of initial neutral horizontal stress will
result, as long as the theoretical neutral stress is within the yield limits
( σ a < σ n < σ p ). If this condition can not be satisfied on a certain side however, the
neutral stress will be set equal to the yield limit, and deformation of the sheet piling
will occur.
BACKGROUND 261
The load correction by the initial option remains active during all following stages, as
long as the soil is not excavated. See equations ( 32 ) and ( 33 ).
( 32 ) σ h.correction.left = (1 − fh.left )σ h.boussinesq.left + σ h.boussinesq.right
( 33 ) σ h.correction.right = (1 − fh.right )σ h.boussinesq.right + σ h.boussinesq.left

31
31 Analysis of single piles
MSheet’s single pile module calculates the bending moment and deformation of a single
pile, due to lateral deformations of the soil or due to discrete forces and moments
applied to the pile itself.
The solution method for single piles used by MSheet is the same as the solution
method for a sheet pile wall [chapter 23] although some changes have been made to
account for the differences between a long wall and a single pile (where arching
occurs).
31.1 Loading by soil deformations
When surcharges are applied to a soil surface (for example, when creating a dam or
when making excavations), there will be both vertical and horizontal movements of
the soil. If piles are present, these soil displacements will cause pressure against the
piles. This results in additional bending moments and displacements to those generated
by the loads at the pile head. Since piles are usually only designed for axial loading,
these lateral loads could quite easily become a critical factor in the design.
To calculate the effect of soil displacements on a pile, the following steps should be
performed:
• Determine the soil displacements which would exist at the location of interest,
were the pile not present – for example, using a finite element program or the De
Leeuw method [Lit 21].
• Use MSheet to determine the displacements, moments and forces in the pile as a
result of these input undisturbed soil displacements.
MSheet determines the displacements and forces in the pile by assuming that the soil
reaction is caused by the difference between the pile displacements and soil
displacements if the pile were not present (Figure 31-1).
Figure 31-1 – Lateral earth pressure and pile deformation by soil deformation
MSheet does not consider geometrical non-linearity while the prescribed soil
displacements are being applied. A normal force (such as the weight of a building
supported by the pile) will therefore not affect the bending moment during analysis of
prescribed displacements.
Soil reaction
MSheet uses equations ( 21 ) and ( 22 ) to determine the active and passive lateral
pressures from the input of the lateral earth pressure coefficients. The soil stiffness is
determined from the input of the modulus of subgrade reaction. When performing
single pile calculations based upon soil displacements the user needs to take the effect
of arching into account by suitable modification of the earth pressure coefficients. Ka
and Ko are usually modeled as zero, whilst Kp needs to be determined specially:
In soil layers with soil displacements a calculation has to be made for the situation
without a pile. This calculation gives the soil displacements, U, and change in soil
pressure (Δσ) on the location of the pile. The horizontal subgrade modulus can then be
calculated in this way: Khor = S*2*Δσ/U. In this formula S is the shell factor (in soft
layers mostly 1.5). Alternatively, the passive earth pressure coefficient, Kp can be
calculated automatically by selecting the Brinch-Hansen method (see [§ 31.2.1]) in
which case Ka and Ko will be set to zero.
When calculating for piles loaded by soil displacements, the results of the calculation
are highly influenced by the soil displacements and the value of the horizontal
subgrade modulus in the displacing soil layers.
31.2 Loading by forces and moments
For a single pile loaded by forces, MSheet offers the following alternatives for the
direct input of the soil strength and stiffness.
31.2.1 Brinch-Hansen
MSheet uses equation ( 34 ) to determine the passive pressure against the pile
according to Brinch-Hansen [Lit 17].
BACKGROUND 265
( 34 ) σ p = K qσ ' v + K c c , σ a = 0 , σ n = 0
where Kq and Kc are factors of Brinch-Hansen for piles. This method automatically takes
the effect of arching into account.
As the pressure is a function of depth, the same soil layer cannot be used in MSheet at
different depths. Instead, if the same soil type occurs at different depths then a copy
of the soil type needs to be made for each instance of the soil type. It is also
recommended that thick layers are split into two or more layers for better
representation of the change in passive pressure with depth.
31.2.2 Ménard
MSheet uses equation ( 35 ) to determine the modulus of subgrade reaction according

to Ménard [Lit 8]. This method automatically takes the effect of arching into account.
α
1 ⎡⎢ ⎛ R ⎞ ⎤
( 35 )
1
= 1.3R0 ⎜⎜ 2.65 ⎟⎟ + αR ⎥ (R ≥ R0 )
kh 3 Em ⎢ ⎝ R0 ⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦
2R 4(2.65)α + 3α
1
= ⋅ (R < R0 )
kh Em 18
with:
Em = pressiometric modulus
Ro = 0.3 meter
R = half width of the pile
α = rheological coefficient
kh = modulus of horizontal subgrade reaction
The rheological coefficient depends on the kind of the soil and the soil conditions. In
the next table some general values are presented.
peat clay loam sand gravel
over consolidated - 1 2/3 1/2 1/3
normally consolidated 1 2/3 1/2 1/3 1/4
decomposed, weathered - 1/2 1/2 1/3 1/4
MSheet uses the values of normally consolidated soil. The following correlation
between Em and qc (cone resistance) can be used:
Peat Em = (3-4) qc
Clay Em = (2-3) qc
Loam Em = (1-2) qc
Sand Em = (0.7-1) qc
Gravel Em = (0.5-0.7) qc
32
32 Special Cases
MSheet can be used to make calculations for a number of situations that deviate from
standard daily practice.
32.1 Combination with piles
In the case of combinations of long piles with shorter sheet piling elements, the acting
width can be used to influence the soil pressures and other loads that act on the upper
(long piles and sheet piling) and lower (long piles only) parts of the wall. Using the
acting width allows direct output of the discrete bending moments in the piles. For the
part with only piles, the soil reaction data must be modified in order to model arching.
32.1.1 Acting width
• Berlin Walls. Berlin Walls are a combination of I-shaped piles, with horizontal
planks inserted in the upper part. If the bending stiffness of the planks is
negligible then direct output of the true bending moment of each pile can be
produced. The Combined Wall wizard [§ 19.2.3] automatically converts the wall
into the appropriate MSheet model. For example, if the piles of a Berlin wall are
positioned 3 m center-to-center and the width of the flange is 0.4 m, for the
upper part an acting width of b = 3 m is used and the stiffness of a pile is divided
by 3: EI = EIpile/3. For the lower part with only piles, the width of the soil that
acts on a single pile is b = 0.4, the stiffness is divided to give EI = EIpile/0.4.
• Combined walls. The Combined Wall wizard [§ 19.2.3] automatically converts a
combined wall, which is made from a combination of regular sheet piling parts
with tubular piles, into the appropriate MSheet model. For instance, for piles
positioned 3 m center-to-center, with an outer diameter of 0.8 m with the sheet
piling parts contributing to the bending stiffness: For the upper part, an acting
width of b = 3 m is used, and the stiffness of the section is divided by 3:
EI = (EIsection)/3. For the lower part with only piles, the acting width is b = 0.8 m
and the pile stiffness is again by the acting width: EI = EIpile/0.8
32.1.2 Modified soil reaction
The equivalent width of the soil that will react if pile displacement occurs is usually
larger than the pile width, as a result of arching. Guidelines for the determination of
the discrete active and passive soil reaction on piles are given for example by Brinch
Hansen [Lit 17].
A simplified way to deal with the effects of arching is, given a certain pile width bpile, to
assume an equivalent soil width beq. Then the passive lateral earth pressure coefficient
and the modulus of subgrade reaction per running meter should be multiplied by the
beq
shell factor , and active lateral earth pressure coefficient should be divided by
bpile
this factor (Figure 32-1).
σp = K*p σv
k*
σp = Kp σv
k
σa = Ka σv
σa = K*a σv
Figure 32-1 – Soil reaction
The resulting equations for the soil pressure (per unit area) are:
beq
( 36 ) s=
bpile
( 37 ) K p* = sK p
( 38 ) k * = sk
Ka
( 39 ) K a* =
s
Tutorial example 10 [chapter 12] gives an example of the application of this method.
BACKGROUND 269
32.2 Surcharge with limited size parallel to the sheet piling
MSheet assumes that a surcharge will act until infinity in the direction parallel to the
sheet piling. In practice, there will be situations in which the size of the surcharge is
limited in the direction parallel to the sheet piling.
There are various approximation methods available which take account of the load
distribution. The method outlined below is very common.
32.2.1 Simple load (constant dimensions in both directions)
sheet piling
1
q' = q 1+2d
load
surface level
l + 2d d
l
b
45o
sheet piling
Figure 32-2 – Load distribution
The influence of a top load q (with constant dimensions b × l) on the sheet pile wall
can be calculated in the following way:
• The top load is assumed to be distributed over an angle of 45o from the front of
the load (see Figure 32-2, left). This produces the following load formula:
l
( 40 ) q' = q
l + 2d
• The load q' calculated in this way is then entered as being applied over the
distance between d and d + b behind the wall (see Figure 32-2, right). The
influence of this load can now be calculated using MSheet.
32.2.2 Complex load
If the dimensions of the top load in both directions are not constant, the load can be
divided into n sub-loads with constant dimensions. The formula for the calculated load
is given in Figure 32-3. Load distribution should always be assumed to start from the
side that is closest to the sheet pile wall.
sheet piling
load q
d1
l3 l2 l1
d2
d3
ln
q'n = q
q'2 ln + 2dn
q'1
q'3
Figure 32-3 – Calculated load (bottom) for a load shape that is not constant (top)
This method can also be used if the load in the direction perpendicular to the wall is
indeed constant, but it extends so far away from the wall that division into a number
of sub-loads is more economical. It must always be assumed that load distribution
starts from the side that is closest to the sheet piling.
See [chapter 14] for a tutorial example of the application of this method.
BACKGROUND 271
32.3 Modeling concrete under water
Concrete is often used at the base of a pit excavation. The concrete helps to keep the
pit dry (once existing water has been removed from the pit) and it can also function as
strutting between the walls enclosing the pit excavation.
The presence of this impermeable layer of concrete maintains the water level below it.
However, if the water table on the other side of the sheet pile wall is higher than the
floor of the pit then the water pressures on the excavated side will not start at zero at
the water level, and the floor will experience uplift. The concrete floor will need to be
piled in order to resist this uplift force. These effects can be modeled in different ways.
One of the methods is described below, and consists of the following steps:
• The underwater concrete is modeled as a soil layer. This means that the concrete
is considered as a system of vertically unlinked elasto-plastic springs, in the same
way as other soil layers. Fixed values should be used for the characteristics of the
soil layer.
The water pressure against the bottom of the underwater concrete can be modeled in
the following way:
• The soil water table is set at the level of the bottom of the concrete floor.
• A uniform load acting on the top of the concrete layer is entered, with a size
equal to the direct water pressure under the floor. This load represents the forces
acting on the floor from the floor’s piles.
• For all soil layers under the floor, an excess pore water pressure is entered which
is the same as the top load. This causes the water pressure distribution to be
correct.
• γd = γn = 0 is used for the concrete, assuming that the uplift forces on the floor
and the weight of the floor are transmitted to piles and therefore do not act on
the soil layer directly below the concrete.
See [chapter 8] for a detailed tutorial example of the application of this method.
32.4 Difference in pressure heads on both sides of the sheet

pile wall
In addition to a soil-retaining function, sheet pile walls also often have a water-
retaining function. In this case, the water pressure on both sides of the sheet piling
will be different. The difference in water pressure gives rise to a water flow under the
toe of the sheet piling.
This flow affects the pressure against the sheet piling in two ways:
• The water flow changes the water pressure that is directed immediately against
the wall.
Because of this, the pressure on the side of the wall with the highest water
pressure will decrease, while the pressure on the other side will increase. At the
toe of the wall, the pressure difference is zero.
• Due to the change in the water pressures, the effective stress in the soil mass
around the wall also changes. This will cause the effective stress against both
sides of the wall to change.
sheet piling
p2 - p1
d2
hydrostatic pressure
d1
Δw1 Δw2
hydrostatic pressure
p1 p2
Figure 32-4 – Water pressure on both sides of sheet piling
In general, the approximation methods described below will be sufficient. For cases
with a major difference in water pressure, or for very critical cases, a flow calculation
should be performed using a specialized flow program, such as Delft GeoSystems’
MSeep.
Approximation method for sheet pile wall in homogenous soil

For homogenous soil, the following method can be used (in accordance with EAU 1990,
article 2.10.3.2, page 65):
• A pore water under-pressure is entered on the side with the highest pressure:
0.7 ⋅ Δh
( 41 ) Δw = − ⋅ Y2
d2 + (d1 .d2 )
• On the other side, an excess pore water pressure is entered in accordance with:
0.7 ⋅ Δh
( 42 ) Δw = + ⋅ Y1
d1 + (d1 .d2 )
where:
Δh = maximum pressure difference
d1 , d 2 = thickness of soil through which the water flows on low/high side
Y1, Y2 = distance from water table on low/high side to toe of wall.
BACKGROUND 273
It should be noted that when using this method, a minor difference in water pressure
remains at the toe.
Approximation method for sheet pile wall in stratified soil

When the soil structure is stratified, the pressure head differences mostly occur over
the layers that have low permeability. The flow resistance of the relatively permeable
layers is negligible. The jump in pore water pressure over layer i can be calculated
using the following formula:
di 1
( 43 ) Δw i = Δh ⋅ γ w ⋅ ⋅
∑k
ki di
i
Here, di is the layer thickness [m] and ki is the permeability of the layer [m/s]. Δh is
the difference in phreatic levels.
Figure 32-5 is a diagram of the pressure in a stratified soil, as calculated using the
equation given above.
Δh
d1, k1
hydrostatic
pressure
d3, k3 d2, k2
flow
Figure 32-5 – Pressure diagram
See [chapter 13] for a tutorial example of the application of this method.
Introduction
Tutorial
Reference
Background
Verification
33
1
33 Benchmarks with an exact
solution
Delft GeoSystems commitment to quality control and quality assurance has lead them
to develop a formal and extensive procedure to verify the correct working of all of
their geotechnical engineering tools. An extensive range of benchmark checks have
been developed to check the correct functioning of each tool. During product
development these checks are run on a regular basis to verify the improved product.
These benchmark checks are provided in the following sections, to allow the user to
overview the checking procedure and verify for themselves the correct functioning of
MSheet.
The benchmarks are subdivided into four separate groups as described below.
• Group 1 - Benchmarks with an exact solution [chapter 33]
Simple benchmarks for which an exact analytical result is available from
literature.
• Group 2 - Benchmarks from literature [chapter 34]
More complex benchmarks described in literature, for which an approximate
solution is known.
• Group 3 - Benchmarks for additional options [chapter 35]
Benchmarks which test program features specific to the program being verified.
• Group 4 - Benchmarks compared with other programs [chapter 36]
In this group no actual benchmarks are presented, but the results of the program
are compared with the results of other programs.
The number of benchmarks in group 1 will probably remain the same in the future. The
reason for this is that they are very simple, using only the most basic features of the
program.
The number of benchmarks in group 2 may grow in the future. The benchmarks in this
chapter are well documented in literature. There are no exact solutions available for
these problems, however in the literature estimated results are available. When
verifying the program, the results should be close to the results found in the literature.
The number of benchmarks in groups 3 and 4 will grow as new versions of the program
are released. These benchmarks are designed so that (new) features specific to the
program can be verified. The benchmarks are kept as simple as possible so that only
one specific feature is verified from one benchmark to the next.
As much as software developers would wish they could, it is impossible to prove the
correctness of any non-trivial program. Re-calculating all the benchmarks in this
report, and making sure the results are as they should be, proves to some degree that
the program works as it should. Nevertheless, there will always be combinations of
input values that will cause the program to crash or to produce wrong results.
Hopefully by using the verification procedure the number of ways this can occur will be
limited. The benchmarks are all described in sufficient detail for reproduction to be
possible at any time. The information given is enough to be able to make the
calculation. The input files can be found on CD-Rom or can be downloaded from our
website www.delftgeosystems.com.
The different benchmarks with an exact solution (group 1) are described in the
following paragraphs, from [§ 33.1] to [§ 33.21].
33.1 Load on beam on elastic foundation
Description:
An Euler-Bernoulli beam of finite length on elastic spring foundation is simulated. The
beam is loaded by a force in the middle as shown in Figure 33-1.
force
beam
springs
Figure 33-1 - Beam loaded by a force in the middle

VERIFICATION 279
The result is calculated by the analytical solution for a beam on elastic foundation
given in [Lit 19]:
w (x ) = e ωx [c1 cos(ωx ) + c 2 sin(ωx )] + e −ωx [c 3 cos(ωx ) + c 4 sin(ωx )]
where:
w = displacement of the beam
4ω4 = k/EI
k = stiffness of the foundation (= modulus of subgrade reaction of the soil)
EI = stiffness of the beam
The constants in the analytical solution depend on the boundary conditions. At both
ends the shear force and the bending moments are zero.
Analytical result:
For this symmetrical problem only the right-side of the beam is considered. With
EI = 1042 kNm²/m, k = 10 kN/ m³, L = 20 m and F = 10 kN/m, the constants of the
general solution are solved from four boundary conditions as follows.
d 3w 1 F
x =0: Q = − EI 3 = − F ⇒ -2 ω
3
c1 + 2 ω
3
c2 + 2 ω
3
c3 + 2 ω
3
c4 =
dx 2 2 EI
dw
x =0: =0 ⇒ c1 + c2 − c 3 + c 4 = 0
dx
L d2 w
x= : M = − EI =0
2 dx 2
ωL ωL − ωL − ωL
⎛ ωL⎞ ⎛ ωL⎞ 2 sin⎛
ωL⎞ 2 cos⎛
ωL⎞
⇒ −e 2 sin⎜ ⎟c 1 + e 2 cos⎜ ⎟c 2 + e ⎜ ⎟c 3 − e ⎜ ⎟c 4 = 0
⎝2⎠ ⎝2⎠ ⎝2⎠ ⎝2⎠
L d3 w
x= : Q = − EI =0
2 d x3
ωL ωL
⎡ ⎛ ωL⎞ ⎛ ωL⎞⎤ ⎡ ⎛ ωL⎞ ⎛ ωL⎞⎤
⇒e 2
⎢− cos⎜ ⎟ − sin⎜ ⎟⎥ c1 + e
2
⎢cos⎜ ⎟ − sin⎜ ⎟⎥ c2
⎣ ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠⎦ ⎣ ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠⎦
−ωL −ωL
⎡ ⎛ ωL⎞ ⎛ ωL⎞⎤ ⎡ ⎛ ωL⎞ ⎛ ωL⎞⎤
+e 2
⎢cos⎜ ⎟ − sin⎜ ⎟⎥ c 3 + e
2
⎢cos⎜ ⎟ + sin⎜ ⎟⎥ c 4 = 0
⎣ ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠⎦ ⎣ ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠⎦
This leads to four equations with four unknowns which can be solved. The solution
reads:
c 1 = 3.64255 × 10 -3
c 3 = 1.14302 × 10 −1
c 2 = −1.69783 × 10 -3
c 4 = 1.12357 × 10 -1
MSheet result:
Modeling this problem in MSheet is straightforward. Plasticity is avoided by a proper
choice of the active and passive earth pressure coefficients.
To compare MSheet results and benchmark results, the modulus of subgrade reaction of
the soil in MSheet must be divided by a factor 2 (kMSheet = 5 kN/m³) as the soil is
present on both sides of the beam. Results are compared in the following table.
Result Benchmark MSheet Relative

error [%]
Maximum displacement at x = 0 m [mm] 117.9 117.9 0.00
Minimum displacement at x = 10 m [mm] -30.0 -30.0 0.00
Maximum shear force at x = 0 m [kN] 5.0 5.0 0.00
Maximum bending moment at x = 0 [kNm] 11.6 11.6 0.00
Minimum bending moment [kNm] -0.8 -0.8 0.00
Use MSheet input file bm1-1.shi to run this benchmark.
33.2 Beam with a prescribed displacement
Description:
An Euler-Bernoulli beam of finite length on an elastic spring foundation is simulated.
The displacement of one end of the beam is prescribed as 0.1 m. This is illustrated in
Figure 33-2. The data for the beam are presented in [§ 33.1].
Analytical result:
The analytical solution is calculated with the equation given in [§ 33.1]. The
distributed load on the beam is zero. The general solution to this equation was
presented in the previous problem.
displacement = 0.1m
x=0 x=L
springs
Figure 33-2 – With displacement of one end
The constants of the general solution are solved from four boundary conditions.
VERIFICATION 281
d3 w
x = 0: Q = − EI = −F
dx 3
⇒ 2ω 3 (− c 1 + c 2 + c 3 + c 4 ) =
F
EI
d2 w
x = 0: M = -EI =0
dx2
⇒ 2ω (c 2 − c 4 ) = 0
2
d3 w
x = L: Q = − EI 3 = 0
dx
⇒ 2ω 3 e ωL [- cos(ωL ) − sin(ωL )]c 1 + 2ω 3 e ωL [cos(ωL ) − sin(ωL )]c 2
+ 2ω 3 e −ωL [cos(ωL ) − sin(ωL )]c 3 + 2ω 3 e −ωL [cos(ωL ) − sin(ωL )]c 4 = 0
d2 w
x = L: M = -EI 2 = 0
dx
⇒ -2ω 2 e ωL sin(ωL)c 1 + 2ω 2 e ωL cos(ωL)c 2 + 2ω 2 e −ωL sin(ωL)c 3 − 2ω 2 e −ωL cos(ωL)c 4 = 0
These four equations with four unknowns can be solved. The solution reads:
c 1 = 6.55727 × 10 −6
c2 = c 4 = −2.63254 ⋅ 10−5
c 3 = 9.999934 × 10 −2
The relation between the prescribed displacement utop = 0.1 m and the force F is:
F = utop
[
2 EIω 3 1 − 4e2ωL + e4ωL + 2e2ωL cos(2ωL ) ]
= 2.2577 kN
1 − e 4ωL + 2e2ωL sin(2ωL )
MSheet result:
In MSheet, the active and passive earth pressure coefficients are chosen properly in
order to avoid plasticity.
present on both sides of the beam. Results are compared in the following table.
Results Benchmark MSheet Relative

error [%]
Maximum displacement [mm] 100 100 0.00
Minimum displacement [mm] -6.9 -6.9 0.00
Maximum shear force [kN] 0.5 0.5 0.00
Minimum shear force [kN] -2.3 -2.2 4.54
Maximum moment [kNm] 0.0 0.0 0.00
Minimum moment [kNm] -3.3 -3.3 0.00

33.3 Beam on two supports, loaded by moment
Description:
A beam (length L = 10 m and stiffness EI = 1042 kNm²/m’) with a central spring
support (stiffness kspring = 10 kN/m/m) and a pinned support at one end is loaded by
an external moment of M = 1 kNm/m as shown in Figure 33-3.
5m
kspring
5m
Figure 33-3 – Beams with two supports loaded by a moment
Analytical result:
The solution is calculated by basic applied mechanics. The problem to be solved is
statically determinate. The moments and support forces can be calculated directly:
Fv = 2m
L
Fv
Fv
Figure 33-4 - Analytical solution supports
The relation of displacement to force at the spring support is:
Fv
uspring =
k spring
VERIFICATION 283
The displacement at the loaded end is the summation of three parts:

• Bending of left-part of the beam (u2)
• Bending of right-part of the beam (u3)
• Displacement of spring support (u1)
These contributions can be calculated from standard cases, as illustrated in Figure 33-5.
u1
u2
u3
Figure 33-5 - Analytical solution displacements
4M
u1 = 2 × uspring = = 40 mm
k spring L
1 1 1 ML 1 ML2
u2 = L × ϕ spring = × =
2 L 6 EI 12 EI
1 ML2
u3 =
8 EI
utip = u1 + u2 + u3
4M 2 ML2 3 ML2 4M 5 ML2
= + + = + = 60.8 mm
k spring L 24 EI 24 EI k spring L 24 EI
MSheet result:
The modulus of subgrade reaction is chosen as its minimum value in MSheet
(k = 0.01 kN/m³). The MSheet results and benchmark results are compared in the
following table.

error [%]
Displacement of spring at x = –5 m [mm] 20 19.7 1.52
Displacement of tip at x = 0 m [mm] 60.8 59.3 2.53

33.4 Beam with distributed non-uniform load
Description:
An Euler-Bernoulli beam of finite length L1 + L2 on an elastic spring foundation is
simulated. The beam is loaded by a distributed force which is constant over the first
L1 m of the beam and linearly decreasing over the other L2 m of the beam, as illustrated
in Figure 33-6.
q0
x = -L1 x=0 x = L2
Figure 33-6 - Beam with distributed non- uniform load
The solution for both parts (x ≤ 0 and x ≥ 0) must be calculated. According to [Lit 19]:
For -L1 < x ≤ 0 :
w(x) = e ωx[c1 cos(ωx ) + c 2 sin(ωx )] + e-ωω[c 3 cos(ωx ) + c 4 sin(ωx )] −

q0
k
For 0 ≤ x ≤ L2 :
q0 ⎛ x⎞
w(x) = e ωx[c5 cos(ωx ) + c 6 sin(ωx )] + e-ωω[c 7 cos(ωx ) + c 8 sin(ωx )] − ⎜ 1 − ⎟⎟
k ⎜⎝ L2 ⎠
The constants c1 to c4 refer to the part of the beam for which x ≤ 0. The constants c5 to
c8 refer to the part of the beam for which x ≥ 0. The values of these constants can be
found from the boundary conditions at x = -L1 and x = L2 and the required continuity
at x = 0.
Analytical result:
The result is calculated using the analytical solution for a beam on elastic foundation
with length L1 + L2. The parameters are assigned the following values:
EI =1042 kNm²/m
k = 100 kN/m³
L1 = 10 m
L2 = 2 m
q0 = 20 kN/m.
VERIFICATION 285
Therefore:
d3 w
x = − L1 : Q = − EI =0
d x3
⇒ e − βL1 [- cos(β L1 ) + sin(β L1 )]c 1 + e − βL1 [cos(βL1 ) + sin(βL1 )]c 2
+ e βL1 [cos(βL1 ) + sin(βL1 )]c 3 − e βL1 [- cos(β L1 ) + sin(β L1 )]c 4 = 0
d2 w
x = − L1 : M = − EI =0
d x2
⇒ e − βL1
sin(βL1 )c 1 + e − βL1 cos(β L1 )c 2 − e βL1 sin(β L1 )c 3 − e βL1 cos(βL1 )c 4 = 0
x =0: ( ) ( )
w 0− = w 0+
q q
⇒ c1 + c 3 − 0 = c5 + c7 − 0
k k
x =0:
dw −
dx
0 =( ) dw +
dx
0 ( )
q0
(c1 + c2 − c 3 + c 4 ) = β(c5 + c 6 − c7 + c 8 ) +
⇒ β
kL2
d3 w
x = L2 : Q = − EI =0
d x3
⇒ e [- cos(β L2 ) − sin(β L2 )]c5 + e βL2 [cos(β L2 ) − sin(β L2 )]c 6
βL2
− e − βL2 [− cos(β L2 ) + sin(β L2 )]c7 + e − βL2 [cos(β L2 ) + sin(β L2 )]c 8 = 0

d2 w
x = L2 : M = − EI =0
d x2
⇒ − e βL2 sin(β L2 )c5 + e βL2 cos(β L2 )c 6 + e − βL2 sin(β L2 )c7 − e − βL2 cos(β L2 )c 8 = 0
x =0:
d 2w
( )
− EI 2 0 − = − EI 2 0 +
dx
d 2w
dx
( )
⇒ c2 − c 4 = c 6 − c 8
x =0:
d 3w
( )
− EI 3 0 − = − EI 3 0 +
dx
d 3w
dx
( )
⇒ − c 1 + c 2 + c 3 + c 4 = −c 5 + c 6 + c 7 + c 8
The constants are therefore:
c 1 = 5.04161 × 10 −2 c 5 = − 1.311056 × 10 −2
c 2 = 2.40163 × 10 − 2 c 6 = − 3.95054 × 10 − 2
−6
c 3 = − 9.00103 × 10 c 7 = 6.35127 × 10 − 2
c 4 = 3.78931 × 10 − 5 c 8 = − 6.34938 × 10 − 2
MSheet result:
The distributed load is introduced by lowering the water table by 2 m. This leads to a
value of q0 = 20 kN/m².
present on both sides of the beam.
The MSheet results and the benchmark results are compared in the following table.
Variable Benchmark MSheet Relative error

[%]
Maximum displacement [mm] 206.1 206.1 0.00
Displacement at the top [mm] 81.9 81.9 0.00
Displacement at the bottom [mm] 198.6 198.6 0.00
Minimum moment [kNm] -9.05 -9.0 0.55
33.5 Beam loaded by tangent and normal forces
Description:
A beam of length L = 20 m is loaded by a tangent force F = 100 kN/m at x = L and a
linearly varying normal force: Nmax = 10000 kN at x = L and Nmin = 8000 kN at x = 0.
See Figure 33-7.
Nmax
Nmin
F
N(x)
0 L x
Figure 33-7 - Beam loaded by a tangent force and a normal force
Analytical result:
The solution is calculated by basic applied mechanics. The shear force is constant along
the beam (equal to F) and the bending moment is nil, which leads to the following
differential equation:
N (x )
dw
=F
dx
where w is the displacement of the beam.
N max − N min
N (x ) = N min + x
L
VERIFICATION 287
The analytical solution is:
⎛ − N min ⎞
w (x ) =
FL N
ln⎜ N min + max x ⎟ + c1
N max − N min ⎝ L ⎠
The pinned support at x = 0 prevents any displacement, which leads to:
ln(N min )
FL
c1 = −
N max − N min
Therefore:
⎛ − N min ⎞
w (x ) =
FL N
ln⎜⎜ 1 + max x ⎟⎟
N max − N min ⎝ LN min ⎠
MSheet result:
In MSheet, the modulus of subgrade reaction is set equal to its minimum
(k = 0.01 kN/m³) in order to neglect the stiffness of the soil.
Benchmark MSheet Relative error

[%]
Displacement at the bottom [mm] 0 0 0.00
Displacement at the top [mm] 223.1 223.2 0.04
33.6 Beam/wall with soil displacement
Description:
An Euler-Bernoulli beam of finite length on elastic spring foundation is simulated [Lit
19]. The data for the beam are presented in [§ 33.1]. The soil displacement on one side
of the beam is prescribed as 0.1 m and a rigid support at one end of the beam prevents
translation.
prescribed
beam
displacement
prescribed soil
displacement
Figure 33-8 - Beam with prescribed displacement

This problem is therefore identical to benchmark bm3-2 in [§ 33.2] where a beam has a
prescribed displacement of 0.1 m.
Analytical result:
The analytical results are identical to those from [§ 33.2] as illustrated in Figure 33-8.
MSheet result:
In MSheet, the active and passive earth pressure coefficients must be chosen properly
in order to avoid plasticity. To compare MSheet results and benchmark results, the
stiffness of the soil in MSheet must be divided by a factor 2 (kMSheet = 5 kN/m³) as the
soil is present at both side of the beam. The maximum relative variation of
displacement, shear force and moment are compared in the following table.
Maximum relative Benchmark MSheet Relative error

variation [%]
Displacement [mm] 100 –(–6.9) = 106.9 106.9 – 0 = 106.9 0.00
Shear force [kN] 0.5 –(–2.2) = 2.7 2.2 –(–0.5) = 2.7 0.00
Moment [kNm] 0.0 –(–3.3) = 3.3 3.3 – 0.0 = 3.3 0.00
33.7 Load on beam/wall on elastic foundation, in stratified

soil
Description:
An Euler-Bernoulli beam of finite length (L = 20 m) on two different sections of elastic
spring foundation is simulated. The different foundations are analogous to different
soil layers. The beam is loaded by a force in the middle. See Figure 33-9.
+10m
SOIL 1
k1 = 20 kN/m3
beam
0m
SOIL 2
k2 = 5 kN/m3
-10m
Figure 33-9 - Beam in stratified soil

VERIFICATION 289
Analytical result:
This problem is similar to benchmark in [§ 33.1] but with different expressions for the
displacement in the different layers:
soil 1: w1 (x ) = e ω1 x [c 1 cos(ω1 x ) + c 2 sin(ω1 x )] + e −ω1 x [c 3 cos(ω1 x ) + c 4 sin(ω1 x )]
soil 2: w2 (x ) = e ω2 x [c 5 cos(ω2 x ) + c 6 sin(ω2 x )] + e −ω2 x [c 7 cos(ω2 x ) + c 8 sin(ω2 x )]
with:
w1 = displacement of the beam in soil 1
w2 = displacement of the beam in soil 2
4ω4 = k/EI
k1, k2 = modulus of subgrade reaction of soils 1 and 2 respectively
EI = stiffness of the beam (1042 kNm/m)
The constants in the analytical solution depend on the boundary conditions.
At both ends the shear force and the bending moments are zero. At the interface of
both soils, the displacement and the moment must be continuous.
Thus:
x =0: w1 = w2 ⇒ c1 + c 3 = c5 + c7
⇒ ω1 (c 1 + c 2 − c 3 + c 4 ) = ω2 (c 5 + c 6 − c 7 + c 8 )
dw 1 dw 2
x =0: =
dx dx
d2 w 1 d2 w 2
x =0: M = − EI = − EI ⇒ ω12 (c 2 − c 4 ) = ω22 (c 6 − c 8 )
dx2 dx2
⎛ d w1 d 3w2
3 ⎞
⇒ ω1 3 (c 1 − c 2 − c 3 − c 4 ) − ω23 (c 5 − c 6 − c 7 − c 8 ) =
F
x =0: Q = − EI ⎜ − ⎟=F
⎜ dx 3 dx 3 ⎟ 2
⎝ ⎠
⎛ω L⎞
( ) ⎛ω L⎞
( )
2w
d 1
x = − 1 2 L : M = − EI =0 ⇒ cos⎜ 1 ⎟ − c 2 + c 4 e ω1 L − sin⎜ 1 ⎟ c 1 − c 3 e ω1 L = 0
dx2 ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
⎛ ω1 L ⎞
( )
3w
⎟ − c 1 + c 2 + (c 3 + c 4 )e ω1 L
d 1
x = − 1 2 L : Q = − EI =0 ⇒ cos⎜
dx 3 ⎝ 2 ⎠
⎛ω L⎞
(
+ sin⎜ 1 ⎟ c 1 + c 2 + (c 3 − c 4 )e ω1 L = 0 )
⎝ 2 ⎠
⎛ ω2 L ⎞
( ) ⎛ω L⎞
( )
2
d w2
x= 1
2 L: M = − EI =0 ⇒ cos⎜ ⎟ − c 8 + c 6 e ω2 L + sin⎜ 2 ⎟ c 7 − c 5 e ω2 L = 0
dx2 ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
⎛ ω2 L ⎞
( )
3
⎟ c 7 + c 8 − (c 5 − c 6 )e
d w2 ω2 L
x= 1
2 L: Q = − EI =0 ⇒ cos⎜
dx 3 ⎝ 2 ⎠
⎛ω L⎞
(
− sin⎜ 2 ⎟ c 7 − c 8 + (c 5 + c 6 )e ω2 L = 0 )
⎝ 2 ⎠
This leads to eight equations with eight unknowns which can be solved. Solving these
equations gives:
c1 = 1.5981 × 10 -3 c 5 = 1.0314 × 10 -1
c2 = −2.0442 × 10 -4 c 6 = −1.4514 × 10 -1
c 3 = 1.0598 × 10 −1 c 7 = 4.4372 × 10 -3
c 4 = 7.3864 × 10 −2 c 8 = 2.9949 × 10 -3
MSheet result:
Modeling this problem in MSheet is straightforward. The active and passive earth
pressure coefficients must be chosen properly in order to avoid plasticity. To compare
MSheet results and benchmark results, the modulus of subgrade reaction of the soil in
MSheet must be divided by a factor 2 (k1MSheet = 10 kN/m³ and k2MSheet = 2.5 kN/m³) as
the soil is present on both sides of the beam. Results are compared in the following
table.
Result Benchmark MSheet Relative error
[%]
Displacement at top [mm] -24.8 -24.8 0.00
Displacement at bottom [mm] -9.6 -9.6 0.00
Maximum bending moment [kNm] 10.7 10.7 0.00
Minimum bending moment [kNm] -2.4 -2.4 0.00
33.8 Anchor wall stability for a short anchorage in

homogeneous soil
Description:
A sheet pile H = 7 m long has a ground surface at 0 m on one side and –4.5 m on the
other side. An anchor is attached at –1.5 m, at an angle, β, of 15 degrees to the
horizontal axis. The anchor length is L = 4 m and the anchor wall is h = 1 m high. The
soil is homogeneous.
VERIFICATION 291
GL 0 m
β
T
h
H L
active slip
plane passive slip
sheet piling plane wall
GL - 4.5 m
π ϕ
4 4
Θ = Arc tan h - T
L cos β
Figure 33-10 - Short anchor
The result is calculated following the Kranz method for a short anchorage, as presented
in [§ 26.1]:
E a − (E 0 + E r ) + E c
P=
Es
where:
P = allowable anchor force
Ea = active pressure on the sheet pile wall = 1
2 K a . γ eff . H 2 − 2c K a H
Eo = active pressure on the anchor wall = 1
2 K a . γ eff . T 2 − 2c K a T
H +T
Er = horizontal pressure on the deep slide plane = γ eff L cos β tan(θ − ϕ )
2
Ec = cohesion along the slide plane = c.L. cos β
Es = factor due to anchor inclination = cos β − sin β tan(θ − ϕ )
1 − sin ϕ
Ka = lateral earth pressure ratio at active yielding =
1 + sin ϕ
H = distance between the level of the top of the sheet pile wall and the level at which
the maximum bending moment occurs. In this case, H is the length of the sheet pile.
Analytical result:
For this problem the following values are chosen:
- effective weight of soil γeff = 5 kN/m³
- sheet pile length H=7m
- anchor length L=4m
- anchor wall length h=1m
- depth of the anchor connection to the sheet pile wall z=2m
- angle of the anchor with the horizontal axis β = 5º
- angle of internal friction φ = 25º
and lead to:

- T = z + ½h + L × sin φ = 2.3486 m
- Ka = 0.4059
- θ = 49.41º
- Ea = 45.258 kN/m
- Eo = 4.101 kN/m
- Er = 42.273 kN/m
- Ec = 1.992 kN/m
- Es = 0.957 kN/m
- P = 0.917 kN/m
MSheet result:
In MSheet, the calculation is performed using the Allowable Anchor Force option from
the Calculation menu. The MSheet results and the benchmark results are compared in
the following table.

error [%]
Ea: active pressure on sheet pile [kN] 45.258 45.250 0.02
Er: horizontal pressure on slide plane [kN] 42.273 42.273 0.00
E0: active pressure on anchor wall [kN] 4.101 4.100 0.01
Ec: cohesion along slide plane [kN] 1.992 1.992 0.00
Es: factor due to angle [-] 0.957 0.960 0.31
P: allowable anchor force [kN] 0.917 0.906 1.21
33.9 Anchor wall stability for a long anchorage in

homogeneous soil
Description:
This benchmark is very much the same as benchmark 33.8 except for the anchor
length, L which is 10 meters. Now the anchorage is a long anchorage (see [chapter 26]
for an explanation of the difference between short and long anchorages).
GL 0 m
passive slip
plane wall
β
T
active slip
H plane
sheet
piling
GL - 4.5 m π ϕ
4 4
Θ = Arc tan H - T
L cos β
Figure 33-11 – Long anchor

VERIFICATION 293
For a long anchorage, it is assumed that the allowable anchor force P depends on the
active and passive sliding planes of the anchor wall [§ 26.2]:
P = E p − E0
where:
Ep = passive pressure on anchor wall = 1
2 K p . γ eff . T + 2c K p T
E0 = active pressure on anchor wall = 1
2 K a . γ eff . T 2 − 2c K a T
1 − sin ϕ
Ka = lateral earth pressure ratio at active yielding =
1 + sin ϕ
1 + sin ϕ
Kp = lateral earth pressure ratio at passive yielding =
1 − sin ϕ
Analytical result:
For this problem the following values are chosen:
- effective weight of soil γeff = 15 kN/m³
- length sheet pile H=7m
- anchor wall length h=1m
- depth of the anchor connection to the sheet piling z=2m
- angle of the anchor with the horizontal axis β = 5º
- angle of internal friction φ = 25º
and lead to:

- Ka = 0.4059
- Kp = 2.4639
- Ep = 50.7926 kN/m
- E0 = 8.3666 kN/m
- P = 42.4260 kN/m
MSheet result:
In MSheet, the calculation is performed using the Allowable Anchor Force option from
the Calculation menu. The MSheet results and the benchmark results are compared in
the following table.

error [%]
E0: active pressure on anchor wall [kN] 1.049 1.047 0.20
Ep: passive pressure on anchor wall [kN] 68.822 68.835 0.02
P: allowable anchor force [kN] 67.773 67.788 0.02

33.10 Calculation of the K-ratios for a straight slip surface
Description: Müller-Breslau (straight slip surface)

The Muller-Breslau formula [Lit 1] assumes a straight slip surface with an angle of
π ϕ
± in homogeneous soil. The K-ratios are calculated using the following equations,
4 2
which have been simplified by assuming the sheet pile wall is vertical and the ground
surface horizontal:
cos2 ϕ cos2 ϕ
Ka = 2
and Kp = 2
⎛
⎜1 + sin ϕ sin(ϕ + δ ) ⎞⎟ ⎛
⎜1 − sin ϕ sin(ϕ + δ ) ⎞⎟
⎜ cos δ ⎟ ⎜ cos δ ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
The neutral earth pressure ratio K0 is determined using the Jáky’s formula:
K 0 = 1 − sin ϕ
Analytical result:
For this problem the following values are chosen: ϕ = 25º and δ = 15º.
They lead to:
- Ka = 0.3507
- Kp = 3.7234
- K0 = 0.5774
MSheet result:
In MSheet, calculations are performed using the Ka, Ko, Kp method in the Model
window and the Straight slip surfaces option in the Soil Layers window. The results of
the MSheet calculation and the analytical calculation are given in the following table.
Earth pressure coefficient Benchmark MSheet Relative error

[%]
at active yielding Ka [-] 0.35 0.35 0.00
at passive yielding Kp [-] 3.72 3.72 0.00
at initial stress state K0 [-] 0.58 0.58 0.00
33.11 Calculation of the K-ratios for a curved slip surface
Description: Kotter (curved slip surface)

The Kotter equations [Lit 2] assume a curved slip surface (logarithmic spiral and
straight part) in homogeneous soil with zero volumetric weight. The soil surface is
assumed to be unloaded and horizontal.
VERIFICATION 295
1 − sin ϕ sin(2α + ϕ ) ⎧⎛ π ⎞ ⎫ sin δ

Ka = exp⎨⎜ − + ϕ + 2α ⎟ tan ϕ ⎬ with α : cos(2α + ϕ − δ ) =
(1 + sin ϕ ) ⎩⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎭ sin ϕ
1 + sin ϕ sin(2α ′ − ϕ ) ⎧⎛ π ⎞ ⎫ sin δ

Kp = exp⎨⎜ + ϕ − 2α ′ ⎟ tan ϕ ⎬ with α ′ : cos(2α ′ − ϕ + δ ) =
(1 − sin ϕ ) ⎩⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎭ sin ϕ
The neutral earth pressure ratio K0 is determined using Jáky’s formula [Lit 10]:
K 0 = 1 − sin ϕ
Analytical result:
For this problem the following friction angle values are used: ϕ = 25º and δ = 15º.
These values lead to:
- Ka = 0.3564
- Kp = 3.3414
- K0 = 0.5774
MSheet result:
In MSheet, calculations are performed using the Ka, Ko, Kp method in the Model
window and the Curved slip surfaces option in the Soil Layers window. The results of
the MSheet calculation and the analytical calculation are given in the following table.
Earth pressure coefficient Benchmark MSheet Relative error

[%]
at active yielding Ka [-] 0.36 0.36 0.00
at passive yielding Kp [-] 3.34 3.34 0.00
at initial stress state K0 [-] 0.58 0.58 0.00
33.12 Comparison of secant and tangent modulus of subgrade

reaction
Description
This benchmark evaluates the horizontal displacement of a rigid sheet pile wall (length
L = 20 m, stiffness EI = 9x108 kNm²/m) loaded with a horizontal line load of
F = 160 kN/m applied to the centre of the wall. The stress-displacement diagram used
has three branches, with intersections at 50 %, 80 % and 100 % of (Kp - Ka) × σV as
illustrated in Figure 33-12. The stiffness of the different branches is defined employing
two kinds of modulus of subgrade reaction:
• secant modulus (from CUR 166) in benchmark bm1-12a,
• tangent modulus (MSheet Classic) in benchmark bm1-12b.
horizontal soil stress σH
k1CUR k2CUR k3CUR

kp σv
k3MSheet
k2MSheet
50% 80% 100%
ka σv
k1MSheet
0
horizontal displacement
Figure 33-12 – Stress-displacement diagram with three branches according to CUR 166
and MSheet Classic
According to Figure 33-12, the relations that link the secant moduli k1, k2 and k3 from
CUR 166 to the tangent moduli as used in MSheet are:
k1MSheet = k1CUR
0.8 − 0.5
k2MSheet =
0.8 0.5
CUR
− CUR
k2 k1
1 − 0.8
k 3MSheet =
1 0.8
−
k3CUR k2CUR
Analytical result:
According to Table 3.3 of CUR 166 procedure [Lit 5], the stress-displacement diagram of
a soft peat is defined with the following lowest values of modulus of subgrade reaction:
- k1CUR = 1000 kN/m³
- k2CUR = 500 kN/m³
- k3CUR = 250 kN/m³
So, the conversion to tangent moduli as used by MSheet leads to:

- k1 MSheet = 1000 kN/m³
- k2 MSheet = 272.727272… kN/m³
- k3 MSheet = 83.333333… kN/m³
The following values are chosen:

- γ = 0 kN/m³ c = 2 kN/m²
- Ka = K0 = 0 Kp = 4
As the pile is supposed to be rigid, the distribution of the horizontal stresses along the
pile is uniform and equal to:
VERIFICATION 297
σ H = F L = 160 / 20 = 8 kN /m2
As the unit weight of the soil is zero, the initial vertical stress is nil. This leads to:
σ a = K aσ v − 2c K a = 0
σ 0 = K 0σ v = 0
σ p = K pσ v + 2c K p = 8 kN/m2 .
As the initial horizontal stress is equal to the active stress and the final horizontal
stress is equal to the passive stress, the three branches in the stress-displacement
diagram are used in the calculations.
MSheet results:
For MSheet calculation with secant moduli (benchmark bm1-12a), the option Secant
(CUR 166) must be selected in the Soil Layers window. From Table 3.3 of CUR 166, the
soft peat is selected.
For MSheet calculation with tangent moduli (benchmark bm1-12b), the option Tangent
(MSheet Classic) must be selected in the Soil Layers window.
MSheet MSheet Relative

Secant modulus Tangent modulus error [%]
(bm1-12a) (bm1-12b)
Max. displacement [m] 32.0 32.0 0.00
Max. moment [kNm] 400.0 400.0 0.00
Max. shear force [kN] 80.0 80.0 0.00
Use MSheet input file bm1-12a.shi and bm1-12b.shi to run this benchmark.
33.13 Displacement using several branches in the

stress-displacement diagram
Description:
This benchmark evaluates the horizontal displacement of a sheet pile wall (length
L = 20 m) using four branches in the stress-displacement diagram. Four horizontal line
loads of F = 40 kN/m are consecutively applied at four stages (Figure 33-13).
F = 40 kN/m F = 80 kN/m
stage 1 stage 2
F = 120 kN/m F = 160 kN/m
stage 3 stage 4
Figure 33-13 – Application of horizontal line loads for the four stages
The four branches of the stress-displacement diagram have the following

characteristics:
- Branch 1: k1 = 100 kN/m³ starting at σH = 0
- Branch 2: k2 = 500 kN/m³ starting at 25 % of (σp – σa)
For this problem, the following values are chosen:

γ = 0 kN/ m³ c = 2 kN/m²
Ka = K0 = 0 Kp = 4
As the pile is supposed to be rigid (EI = 9 108 kNm²/m), the distribution of the
horizontal stresses along the pile is uniform and equal to:
σH = F L
Analytical result:
As the unit weight of the soil is zero, the initial vertical stress is nil. This leads to:
σ a = K aσ v − 2c K a = 0
σ 0 = K 0σ v = 0
σ p = K pσ v + 2c K p = 8 kN/m2
According to the input percentage of stress variation, the four branches of the stress-
displacement diagram start respectively at 0, 2, 4 and 6 kPa. Each new load step
corresponds to the limit point of each branch.
VERIFICATION 299
Then, the total displacement after each stage is:

- w1 = (σ 1 − σ 0 ) k1 = (F L ) k1 = (40 20) 100 = 0.020 m
- w2 = w1 + (σ 2 − σ 1 ) k2 = 0.020 + (40 20) 500 = 0.024 m
- w 3 = w2 + (σ 3 − σ 2 ) k 3 = 0.024 + (40 20 ) 250 = 0.032 m
- w 4 = w 3 + (σ 4 − σ 3 ) k 4 = 0.032 + (40 20) 400 = 0.037 m
horizontal stress
σp = 8 kN/m2
σ4 = σp
σ3 = 0.75 σp
σ2 = 0.5 σp
σ1 = 0.25σp
σa = σ0 = 0 displacement
w1 w2 w3 w4
Figure 33-14 – Stress-displacement diagram
MSheet result:
MSheet calculations are performed using the Ka, Ko, Kp method in the Model window.
The results of the MSheet calculation and the benchmark are given in the following
table.

[%]
Displacement stage 1 [mm] 20 20.0 0.00

33.14 Displacement during unloading/reloading steps
F = 160 kN/m
F = 160 kN/m F = 40 kN/m
F = 120 kN/m
F = 160 + 40 kN/m F = 80 kN/m
F = 120 kN/m
Figure 33-15 – Loads applied in each stage
Description:
This benchmark evaluates the horizontal displacement of a sheet pile wall (L = 20 m)
loaded with a load of F1 = 160 kN/m (stage 1), unloaded with a load of F2 = –20 kN/m
(stage 2) and reloaded with a load of F3 = 40 kN/m (stage 3).
For this problem, the following values are used:

γ = 0 kN/m³ c = 2 kN/m²
Ka = K0 = 0 Kp = 4
k0 = 50 kN/m³ k1 = 100 kN/m³
As the pile is supposed to be rigid (EI = 9 108 kNm²/m), the distribution of the
horizontal stresses along the pile is uniform and equal to σ H = F L .
Benchmark result:
As the unit weight of the soil is zero, the initial vertical stress is also zero. This leads
to:
VERIFICATION 301
σ a = K aσ v − 2c K a = 0
σ 0 = K 0σ v = 0
σ p = K pσ v + 2c K p = 8 kN/m2
The first load step leads to a passive state. The following unloading step leads therefore
to non-elastic soil behavior: that means the unloading subgrade reaction coefficient k0
shall be used in the calculations for this stage. For the following reloading step, the
soil is elastic: the subgrade reaction coefficient k1 shall therefore be used in the
calculations for this stage.
The displacements for each stage are:

- w1 = σ 1 k1 = F1 (Lk1 ) = 80 mm
- w2 = w1 + (σ 2 − σ 1 ) k 0 = w1 + F2 k 0 = 40 mm
- w 3 = w2 + (σ 3 − σ 2 ) k1 = w 2 + F3 k1 = 60 mm
This is illustrated in Figure 33-16, below.
horizontal stress
σp = 2c√Kp = 8 kN/m2
σ1 = σ3 = σp
σ2
σa = σ0 = 0 displacement
w2 w3 w1
Figure 33-16 – Stress-displacement diagram for unloading
MSheet result:
MSheet calculations are performed using the Ka, Ko, Kp method in the Model window.
table.

[%]
Displacement stage 1: loading [mm] 80 80.0 0.00
Displacement stage 2: unloading [mm] 40 40.0 0.00
Displacement stage 3: reloading [mm] 60 60.0 0.00

33.15 Anchor force and displacement
Description:
The middle of a beam (length L = 20 m) is loaded with a horizontal force F = 20 kN/m
and reinforced with an anchor inclined at β = 30º. See Figure 33-17. If the soil has no
stiffness, then the applied force is completely transmitted to the anchor.
F β
beam
Fa
anchor
Figure 33-17 – Position of the anchor
Benchmark result:
According to Figure 33-17, equilibrium gives:
F 20
Fa = = = 23.09 kN/m
cos β cos 30°
For elastic behavior, the horizontal displacement at the middle of the beam is:
Fa × l
w= = 12.698 mm
Aa × E a × cos β
where
Ea = 2.1 × 108 kN/m² Modulus of elasticity of the anchor
Aa = 10-4 m²/m Cross-section area of the anchor
l = 10 m Length of the anchor
MSheet result:
(k = 0.01 kN/m³) in order to neglect the stiffness of the soil.

[%]
Anchor force [kN] 23.09 23.09 0.00

VERIFICATION 303
33.16 Pre-stressed anchor
Description:
A beam is reinforced with an anchor at the middle. The data for the beam are the same
as in [§ 33.1]. The anchor is pre-tensioned with a force Fpt = 10 kN/m (Figure 33-18a).
This problem is equivalent to benchmark 0 where an external load of 10 kN/m is
applied (Figure 33-18). Therefore, the displacement should be equal to 117.9 mm as
described in that benchmark.
a) b)
anchor F = Fpt
beam
beam
Fpt
Figure 33-18 – Anchor with pre-tensioning
MSheet result:
table.

[%]
Anchor force [kN] 10 10 0.00
Displacement [mm] 117.9 117.9 0.00
33.17 Strut force and displacement
Description:
The data for this problem are the same as given in [§ 33.15], but the anchor is replaced
by a strut (same characteristics).
Benchmark result:
The same analytical results are expected as for [§ 33.15].
MSheet result:
(k = 0.01 kN/m³) in order to neglect the stiffness of the soil. The results of the MSheet
calculation and the benchmark are given in the following table.

[%]
Strut force [kN] 23.09 23.09 0.00
33.18 Pre-stressed strut
Description:
The data for this problem are the same as given in [§ 33.16], but the anchor is replaced
by a strut (with the same characteristics).
Benchmark result:
The same analytical results are expected as for [§ 33.16].
MSheet result:
table.

[%]
Strut force [kN] 10 10 0.00
Displacement [mm] 117.9 117.9 0.00
33.19 Single pile loaded by horizontal force – Modulus of

subgrade reaction (Ménard)
Description:
This benchmark is identical to benchmark bm1-1 except that the sheet pile is replaced
by a single pile loaded by a horizontal force and the modulus of subgrade reaction is
calculated according to Ménard [Lit 8]:
3Em
k= if R ≥ R0
1.3R0 ⋅ (2.65 R R0 )α + α ⋅ R
18 E m
k=
[
2R ⋅ 4 × (2.65)α + 3α ] if R < R0
VERIFICATION 305
with:
k = Modulus of horizontal subgrade reaction [kN/m³]
Em = Pressiometric modulus [kN/m²]
R0 = 0.3 m
R = D / 2Half width of the pile [m]
D = Diameter of the pile [m]
α = Rheological coefficient depending on the kind of the soil:
peat clay loam sand gravel

1 2/3 1/2 1/3 1/4
Benchmark result:
The formulas of the analytical solution are the same as in [§ 33.1].
With D = 1 m, Em = 5 kN/ m² and if “clay” is selected as the Ménard soil type

(α = 2/3), the modulus of subgrade reaction in MSheet is k = 10.84454 kN/m3.
To compare analytical results to MSheet results, the stiffness of the soil in the
analytical solution must be multiplied by a factor 2 as the soil is present at both side of
the beam in MSheet. With EI = 1042 kNm²/m, L = 20 m and F = 10 kN, the constants of
the general solution are equal to:
c 1 = 9.87618 × 10 -4
c 2 = −5.29069 × 10 -5
c 3 = 6.29042 × 10 −2
c 4 = 6.19695 × 10-2
MSheet result:
Modeling this problem in MSheet is straightforward. The earth pressure coefficients
must be chosen properly in order to avoid plasticity (Ka = 0.1, K0 = 5 and Kp = 17).
Results are compared in the following table.
Benchmark MSheet Relative

error [%]
Max.displacement at x = 0 m [mm] 63.9 63.9 0.00
Min. displacement at x = 10 m [mm] -15.3 -15.3 0.00
Max. shear force at x = 0 m [kN] 5 5 0.00
Min. shear force at x = 0 m [kN] -5 -5 0.00
Max. moment at x = 0 [kNm] 9.3 9.3 0.00
Min. moment [kNm] -1.3 -1.3 0.00

33.20 Single pile loaded by horizontal force – Earth pressures

(Brinch-Hansen)
Description:
A single pile of length L = 5 m and diameter B = 0.6 m , in stratified soil, is loaded by
a horizontal force F = 300 kN acting half way down the pile. As the pile is supposed to
be rigid (stiffness EI = 1010 kNm2 ), the distribution of the horizontal stresses along
the pile is uniform and equal to σ H = F (L ⋅ B ) = 100 kN/m2 .
The passive, active and neutral pressures against the pile are calculated according to
Brinch-Hansen [Lit 17]:
σa = σn = 0
σ p = K q ⋅ σ v′ + K c ⋅ c
where Kq and Kc are factors of Brinch-Hansen for piles:
D
K q0 + K q∞ ⋅ α q ⋅
Kq = B
D
1 + αq ⋅
B
D
K c0 + K c∞ ⋅ α c ⋅
Kc = B
D
1 + αc ⋅
B
⎛π ⎞ ⎛ π ⎞
⎜ + ϕ ⎟ ⋅ tan ϕ ⎜ − + ϕ ⎟ ⋅ tan ϕ
⎛π ϕ ⎞ ⎛π ϕ ⎞
K q0 = e ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⋅ cos ϕ ⋅ tan⎜ + ⎟ − e ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⋅ cos ϕ ⋅ tan⎜ − ⎟
⎝4 2⎠ ⎝4 2⎠
⎡ ⎛⎜ π + ϕ ⎞⎟ ⋅ tan ϕ ⎤
⎛π ϕ ⎞
K c0 = ⎢e ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⋅ cos ϕ ⋅ tan⎜ + ⎟ − 1⎥ ⋅ cot ϕ
⎢ ⎝ 4 2 ⎠ ⎥⎥
⎢⎣ ⎦
K q∞ = K c∞ ⋅ K 0 ⋅ tan ϕ
K c∞ = N c ⋅ dc∞
dc∞ = 1.58 + 4.09 ⋅ tan 4 ϕ

VERIFICATION 307
⎡ ⎛π ϕ ⎞ ⎤
N c = ⎢e π ⋅ tan ϕ ⋅ tan2 ⎜ + ⎟ − 1⎥ ⋅ cot ϕ
⎣ ⎝4 2⎠ ⎦
K 0 = 1 − sin ϕ
K q0 K 0 ⋅ sin ϕ
αq = ⋅
K q∞ − K q0 ⎛π ϕ ⎞
sin⎜ + ⎟
⎝4 2⎠
K c0 ⎛π ϕ ⎞
αc = ⋅ 2 sin⎜ + ⎟
K c∞ − K c0 ⎝4 2⎠
D = Average depth at the middle of the layer [m]
By identification with the usual formula for the calculation of the passive earth
pressure σ p = K p ⋅ σ v′ + 2c * K p , it can be deduced:
K p = Kq Passive earth pressure coefficient [-]
c ⋅ Kc
c* = Adapted cohesion [kN/m2]
2 Kq
Benchmark results:
Factors Kq and Kc are calculated according to the formulas given above. Results for the
different layers are given in the following table:
Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 3

Top level [m] 0 -2 -3.5
Depth D [m] 1 2.75 4.25
Saturated weight [kN/ m³] 15 20 15
Cohesion c [kN/ m²] 10 0 20
Friction angle [°] 20 32 25
Factor Kq = Kp [-] 3.0855 10.6483 6.6222
Factor Kc [-] 12.4286 40.4978 26.9113
Adapted cohesion c* [kN/ m²] 35.3777 0 104.5760
The effective vertical stress and the passive earth pressure are calculated for four
different depths. These results are given in the table below:
Depth z –0.4 m –2.4 m –4.1 m

Water pressure 10 × 0.4 = 4 kPa 10 × 2.4 = 24 kPa 10 × 4.1 = 41 kPa
Total vertical 15 × 0.4 = 6 kPa 15 × 2 + 20 × (2.4 – 2) 15 × 2 + 20 ×1.5
stress = 38 kPa + 15 × (4.1 – 3.5)
= 69 kPa
Eff. vertical 6–4 38 – 24 = 14 kPa 69 – 41 = 28 kPa
stress σv’ = 2 kPa
Passive earth 3.0855 × 2 10.6483 × 14 6.6222 × 28
pressure σp + 12.4286 × 10 = 149.0769 kPa + 26.9113 × 20
= 130.4570 kPa = 723.6477 kPa
Passive 100 / 130.4570 100 / 149.0769 100 / 723.6477
mobilized = 76.7 % = 67.1 % = 13.8 %
resistance
σH / σp
MSheet results:
table.
Depth Benchmark MSheet Relative

error [%]
Passive earth 0 to -2 m 3.09 3.09 0.00
pressure coefficient -2 m to -3.5 m 10.65 10.65 0.00
Kp -3.5 m to -5 m 6.62 6.62 0.00
Mobilized passive –0.4 m 77 77 0.00
resistance –2.4 m 67 67 0.00
–4.1 m 14 14 0.00
33.21 Flexural stiffness of a combined wall
Description:
In this benchmark, the calculation of the flexural stiffness of the upper and lower parts
of a combined wall is checked. The combined wall consists of three PU 12 sheet piling
elements between each pair of King piles (HZ775C-12). The center-to-center distance
between the King piles is 0.53 + 3 × 0.6 = 2.33 m. The length of the King piles is 10 m
and the length of the sheet piling is 5 m. See Figure 33-19 for a graphic representation
of the combined wall. (The values used in the benchmark are the same as those used in
the tutorial on combined walls [§ 12]).
VERIFICATION 309
sheet piling
(EI = 45360 kNm2/m')
2.33 m
5m
0.6 m
5m
0.53m pile (EI = 847035 kNm2)
Figure 33-19 – Combined wall
Benchmark results:
For the upper part of the wall, the flexural stiffness of one PU 12 sheet piling is
45360 × 0.6 = 27216 kNm². The flexural stiffness of one King pile is 847035 kNm². The
flexural stiffness of the considered 2.33 m section of the wall (1 pile + 3 sheet-piling
parts) is 847035 + 3 × 27216 = 928683 kNm². The corresponding value per running
meter is EI = 928683 / 2.33 = 398576.3948 kNm²/m’.
For the lower part of the wall, the flexural stiffness of one steel pile is 847035 kNm².
As the acting width of the pile is 0.53 m, the corresponding value per running meter is
EI = 847035 / 0.53 = 1598179.245 kNm²/m.
MSheet results:
In the Sheet Piling window of the Construction menu of MSheet, the Combined Wall
option is used: for the Sheet pile, type PU 12 is selected from the library and for the
Pile, type HZ775C-12 is selected. The results of the MSheet calculation and the
benchmark are given in the following table.
Benchmark MSheet Relative error [%]

Stiffness upper part [kNm²] 9.2868 × 105 9.2869 × 105 0.00
Stiffness lower part [kNm²] 8.4704 × 105 8.4705 × 105 0.00

34
34 Benchmarks from literature
This chapter contains benchmarks described in literature, for which an approximate

solution is known.
34.1 Horizontal load due to different level of water table
Description:
A sheet pile wall is loaded by hydrostatic water pressure, with (as far as is physically
possible) stationary, but different, water table levels on either side of the wall. In
MSheet a sheet pile wall 12 m long is placed in homogeneous soil with the water table
at the top of the wall. Thereafter, in succeeding stages, the water table on the left
hand side of the wall is lowered to -2, -4 and -6 m respectively. The water pressures at
the middle level and the toe level are compared.
GL = 0.0
-2 m
-2 m
-2 m
-12 m
Figure 34-1 – Changing water levels for bm2-1

Analytical result:
On both sides the water pressure increases linearly with depth. The increase per meter
depth equals the volumetric weight of the water.
MSheet result:
The calculations are carried out using the input file which is similar to that for
benchmark 33.4. The results of MSheet and the benchmark are compared in the
following table.

[kN/m²] [kN/m²] error [%]
water pressure with lower middle 60 60 0.00
water level at 0 m (left) toe 120 120 0.00
water level at4 m (left) toe 80 80 0.00
34.2 Fundamental solution according to Culmann
Description:
At failure the equilibrium of a sliding soil mass must be insured. For a simple case the
equilibrium can be calculated analytically.
A short sheet pile wall (length L = 2 m) is fixed at the toe. The soil is purely cohesive
(c = 1 kN/m2 and φ = 0°) and almost mass-less (γsoil = 1 kN/m³). In this case the shear
force along a sliding surface is known (length of surface × cohesion) and the
equilibrium can be calculated (Figure 34-2). A surcharge load of q = 2 kN/m2 is applied;
this value is the maximum force possible that insures stability.
VERIFICATION 313
Analytical result:
soil mass equilibrium with load
l = 2m
load = 100 kN
Fwall = 98 kN
c = 1 kN/m2
γ = 1 kN/m3
Fn = 100√2 kN
h = 2m
Fload = 100 kN
2m
2√
L=
Fsoil weight = 2 kN
fixed
Ffriction = 2√2 kN
Figure 34-2 – The force against the wall is calculated graphically
MSheet result:
The results of MSheet and the benchmark are shown in the following table.
Benchmark MSheet Relative error [%]

Total force without surface load [kN] 2.0 2.0 0.00
Total force with surface load [kN] 98.0 98.0 0.00

35
35 Benchmarks: special
applications
This chapter contains benchmarks which test program features specific to MSheet.
35.1 Comparing the c, ϕ, δ and Ka, K0, Kp methods: uniform

load on lower side
Description:
To check that the results of the c, ϕ, δ method will not deviate very much from the
Ka, K0, Kp method, a calculation is performed using both methods. A sheet pile wall, of
length 7.0 m and EI = 8700 kNm2/m’ is retains sand with a height difference of 2m
from one side of the wall to the other. The surface on the lower (right) side of a sheet
pile wall is loaded with a uniform load of 25 kN/m².
0.0
-2.0
-7.0
Figure 35-1 – Geometry for bm3-1

MSheet results:
In the table below, the results found using the Ka, K0, Kp method and the
c, ϕ, δ method are presented and compared.
Ka, K0, Kp method c, ϕ, δ method Relative

(bm3-1a) (bm3-1b) error [%]
35.2 Comparing the c, ϕ, δ and Ka, K0, Kp methods: uniform

load on higher side
Description:
The calculation method is the same as [§ 35.1], but now the surface on the higher
(left) side of the wall is loaded instead.
0.0
-2.0
-7.0
Figure 35-2 – geometry for bm3-2
MSheet results:
In the table below the results of the Ka, K0, Kp method and the c, ϕ, δ method are
presented and compared.
VERIFICATION 317
Ka, K0, Kp method c, ϕ, δ method Relative

(bm3-2a) (bm3-2b) error [%]
35.3 Compare load distance to sheet pile: load of 25 kN/m² on

high side
Description:
To verify the influence on the results of the exact starting point of a surcharge load,
the geometry show in Figure 35-3 is loaded by a uniform surcharge of 25 kN/m2
starting near the wall and ending at 50 m from the wall. The distance between the load
and the sheet pile wall is varied from 0 m, 0.01 m, to 0.1 m.
0.0
50 m -2.0
-7.0
0.01m
0.1m
Figure 35-3 – Geometry for bm3-3

MSheet results:
In the table below the results for different distances between the load and the sheet
pile wall are presented for comparison. Calculations are performed with the Fine earth
pressure coefficients option from the Calculation Options window.
distance: 0 m distance: 0.01 m distance: 0.1 m

(bm3-3a) (bm3-3b) (bm3-3c)
Max. displacement [mm] 70.9 70.7 65.6
Max. moment [kNm] 61.8 61.7 57.9
Use MSheet input files bm3-3a.shi, bm3-3b.shi and bm3-3c.shi to run this benchmark.
35.4 Influence of soil against sheet pile wall for an excavation
Description:
Three cases are compared to verify if an excavation where a small part of soil has been
left against the sheet pile wall can be schematized by putting a load of same size and
weight on the surface behind the sheet pile. These cases are outlined below and shown
in Figure 35-4, Figure 35-5 and Figure 35-6:
1. An initial situation with different horizontal levels at each side of the sheet pile
without any load or excavation;
2. A small part of soil is added on a horizontal surface. This calculation is performed
by means of partly excavating a higher surface level;
3. A load is put on the surface to schematize the effect of case 2.
Figure 35-4: Initial Figure 35-5: With soil Figure 35-6: With load
(bm3-4a) (bm3-4b) (bm3-4c)
VERIFICATION 319
MSheet results:
In the table below the results of the different calculations are presented for
comparison.
Initial With soil With load

(bm3-4a) (bm3-4b) (bm3-4c)
Use MSheet input files bm3-4a.shi, bm3-4b.shi and bm3-4c.shi to run this benchmark.
35.5 Equilibrium of initially unequal surfaces and surcharges
Description:
The option First stage represents initial situation from the Calculation Options window
allows modeling of initially non-horizontal surfaces, or initial loads that already exist
before installation of the sheet piling.
This benchmark verifies that a combination of initially unequal surfaces and surcharges
does not result in any displacement and moments during the first phase, provided that
no active or passive soil yielding occurs. It is also checked if the incremental
displacements and moments during subsequent stages are the same as the incremental
results from a standard MSheet analysis, again provided that no soil yielding occurs.
The input data is summarized below:

- homogeneous soil, unit weight = 10 kN/m³
- modulus of subgrade reaction = 1000 kPa/m
- c, ϕ, δ method
- cohesion = 0 kN/m2
- sheet piling length = 21 m
- flexural stiffness of sheet piling = 4.1370 × 108 kNm2/m’
- Phreatic surface located at –100 m
The loading is modeled as follows:

- Phase 1: On the left of the sheet pile wall is a surface higher than the top of
the wall, comparable to a surcharge of 10 kN/m. On the right hand side of the
sheet pile wall an initial surcharge of 20 kN/m.
- Phase 2: The surcharge on the right hand side is reduced to 10 kN/m. The
non-horizontal surface on the left-hand side is replaced by a surface load with
equal weight.
- Phase 3: An excavation of 1 m on the right hand side.
10 20
10 10
10
10
Figure 35-7 – Loading – phase 1, 2,3
MSheet results:
• Friction angle = 30º (bm3-5a)
The results show that displacements and moments are as expected compared to the
target values derived from the standard MSheet analysis, and that no displacement
occurs during the initial stage.
Target MSheet Relative error [%]

Displacement top for stage 1 [mm] 0 0 0.00
Displacement top for stage 2 [mm] 4.1 4.1 0.00
Displacement top for stage 3 [mm] 7.8 7.8 0.00
• Friction angle = 5º (bm3-5b)

If the friction angle is reduced to 5 degrees, then displacements and moments will arise
during the initial stage, due to soil yielding.
VERIFICATION 321
MSheet
Displacement top for stage 1 [mm] 0.6
Use MSheet input files bm3-5a.shi and bm3-5b.shi to run this benchmark.
35.6 Additional horizontal pressure due to a uniform load
Description:
This benchmark evaluates the horizontal stress distribution along the sheet piling due
to a uniform load q = 20 kN/m². Calculations are performed with the K – method with
Ka = K0 = Kp = 1.
uniform load
pile
γ = 0kN/m3
Figure 35-8 – Uniform distribution of the load
Benchmark result:
The soil weight γ is nil so that the horizontal stress along the pile due to the soil
weight is nil. The horizontal stress along the sheet piling is therefore constant and
equal to 20 kN/m² ie equal to the vertical stress since Ka = K0 = Kp = 1.
MSheet result:

[%]
Horizontal pressure along the sheet 20 20 0.00
piling [kN/m²]

35.7 Additional horizontal pressure due to a surcharge load
Description:
This benchmark evaluates the horizontal stress distribution along a pile due to a
triangular surcharge load with qmax = 20 kN/m² at x = 0 m and qmin = 0 at x = 5 m.
When using a surcharge load, calculations can be performed only using the Culmann
method.
surcharge load
pile
γ = 0kN/m3
Figure 35-9 – Triangular distribution of the surcharge load
In MSheet, two cases shall be considered according to the values of the K-ratios
calculated with the Culmann method:
i) If Ka < K0 < Kp, then the additional horizontal earth pressure due to the surcharge
load becomes:
n
2Pmi x mi 2 y
σ H (y ) = ∑ f π (x
i =1
2
+ y2 )
2
mi
where:
y Vertical coordinate [m]
n Number of elements
L = 10 m Length of the sheet pile
xmi Horizontal coordinate at the middle of element i [m]
Pmi Average load of element i [kN/m]
f Multiplication factor (influence of the sheet pile wall)
⎧L if x i > L
f =⎨
⎩2 - x i L if xi ≤ L
ii) If Kp < Ka and/or K0 < Ka, then MSheet will calculate new K0 and/or Kp ratios: Kp = Ka
and/or K0 = Ka. The horizontal earth pressure due to the surcharge load becomes:
VERIFICATION 323
σ H (y ) = K (y ) ⋅ σ V (y )
with:
K(y) = neutral earth pressure coefficient at depth y
n
σ V (y ) = ∑ [(θ i +1 − θ i ) + sin θ i +1 cos θ i +1 − sin θ i cos θ i ]
2qmi
i =1
π
⎛ xi ⎞
θ i = arctan⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ y ⎠
⎛ xi +1 ⎞
θ i + 1 = arctan⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ y ⎠
with:
xi and xi+1 Horizontal coordinates of boundaries of element i [m]
qmi Average surcharge of element i [kN/m²]
Benchmark result:
The soil weight γ is nil so that the horizontal stress along the pile due to the soil
weight is nil, only the horizontal stress due to the surcharge load is calculated by
MSheet.
If the value of the cohesion is high (c = 100 kN/m²), case i) for the K-ratios is checked.
If the value of the cohesion is nil, case ii) is checked. The K-values from MSheet results
are used in the analytical calculation of the horizontal pressure.
The horizontal stress distribution for both cases is calculated in a spreadsheet. The
surcharge load is divided into 50 elements of 0.1 m. Results at different depths are
presented in the tables below.
MSheet result:
• Results for case i): c = 100 kN/m² (bm3-7a):
Horizontal pressure Benchmark MSheet Relative error

[kN/m²] [%]
at depth –2 m 4.54 4.54 0.00
at depth –4 m 1.59 1.59 0.00
at depth –6 m 0.68 0.68 0.00
at depth –8 m 0.34 0.34 0.00
at depth –10 m 0.19 0.19 0.00
• Results for case ii): c = 0 kN/m² (bm3-7b):
Horizontal pressure Benchmark MSheet Relative error

[kN/m²] [kN/m²] [%]
at depth –2 m 19.75 19.75 0.00
at depth –4 m 19.50 19.50 0.00
at depth –6 m 19.24 19.24 0.00
at depth –8 m 18.99 18.99 0.00
at depth –10 m 18.74 18.74 0.00
35.8 Non-horizontal surface
Description:
In MSheet, a non-horizontal soil surface (bm3-8a) is alternatively modeled as a
horizontal surface with additional surcharge loads (bm3-8b). This benchmark compares
the results of both configurations calculated with MSheet. The Culmann method is
used.
2m
q = 15 kN/m2
1m
γeff = 15 kN/m3 γeff = 15 kN/m3

c = 5 kN/m2 c = 5 kN/m2
ϕ = 30 degrees ϕ = 30 degrees
δ = 25 degrees δ = 25 degrees
Figure 35-10 – Non-horizontal soil surface modeled as a horizontal surface with an

additional trapezoidal surcharge
Benchmark results:
In MSheet, a calculation is performed using the configuration of bm3-8b, with a
horizontal soil surface loaded with a trapezoidal surcharge which has the same weight
and form that the top layer of bm3-8a.
MSheet results:
The calculation is performed using the configuration of bm3-8a. The results of the two
methods are compared in the table below:

(bm3-8b) (bm3-8a) [%]
Maximum shear stress [kN] 25.2 25.2 0.00
VERIFICATION 325
35.9 Symmetry (left and right side)
Description:
The symmetry of a problem in MSheet is checked. Calculations are performed using the
Culmann method.
q = 50 kN/m2
a b
γeff = 15 kN/m3 γeff = 15 kN/m3

c = 5 kN/m2 c = 5 kN/m2
ϕ = 30 degrees ϕ = 30 degrees
δ = 25 degrees δ = 25 degrees
Figure 35-11 – Symmetry of the problem
MSheet results:
Two calculations are performed with MSheet:
- with the upper side on the left (bm3-9a)
- with the upper side on the right (bm3-9b).
The results of the two calculations are compared in the table below:
MSheet MSheet Relative error

(bm3-9a) (bm3-9b) [%]
Max. displacement [mm] 67.5 -67.5 0.00
Max. moment [kNm] -37.8 37.8 0.00
Max shear force [kN] -26.3 26.3 0.00
35.10 Effect of the acting width
Description:
The effect of the acting width [§ 32.1.1] is checked in this benchmark. The same
problem is considered for two values of the acting width: 1 m and 2 m. This benchmark
checks that output pressures and moments are multiplied by a factor 2 when the acting
width is 2 m.
MSheet results:
The normal force must be entered as a total force (in kN). As the normal force per
running meter is set equal to 5 kN/m’, then the input normal forces are 5 kN and 10 kN
respectively for the benchmarks with an acting width of 1 and 2 m. The results of these
two analyses are compared in the table below:
Results MSheet Factor

bm3-10a bm3-10b
Acting width [m] 1m 2m
Maximum displacement [mm] -4.3 -4.3 1.00
Maximum moment [kNm] -29.6 -59.1 2.00
Maximum shear force [kN] -27.3 -54.5 2.00
Vertical force active [kN] -44.94 -89.87 2.00
Vertical force passive [kN] 28.65 57.31 2.00
Vertical force
Vertical anchor force [kN] -2.90 -5.80 2.00

Normal force on sheet piling [kN] -5.00 -10.00 2.00
balance
Resulting vertical force [kN] -24.19 -48.36 2.00

Vertical force capacity [kN] 102.00 102.00 1.00
Horizontal effective pressure (left) [kN] 58.3 116.6 2.00
Horizontal effective pressure (right) [kN] 91.5 182.9 2.00
Maximum passive effective resistance [kN] 77.31 154.63 2.00
Mobilized passive effective resistance [kN] 58.32 116.63 2.00
Percentage mobilized resistance [%] 75.4 75.4 1.00
Soil collapse
Maximum passive moment [kNm] 308.19 616.38 2.00

Mobilized passive moment [kNm] 227.83 455.66 2.00
Percentage mobilized moment [%] 73.9 73.9 1.00
Ea: active pressure sheet pile (with loads) 91.438 182.876 2.00
[kN]
Ea: active pressure sheet pile (no loads) [kN] 87.410 174.819 2.00
Er: horizontal pressure slide plane (with 10.735 21.470 2.00
loads) [kN]
“Allowable Anchor Force”
Er: horizontal pressure slide plane (no loads) 10.427 20.854 2.00
[kN]
E0: active pressure anchor wall [kN] 23.410 46.820 2.00
Ec: cohesion along slide plane [kN] 2.989 5.977 2.00
Allowable anchor force (with loads) [kN] 60.417 120.835 2.00
Allowable anchor force (no loads) [kN] 56.689 113.378 2.00
Calculated anchor force [kN] 33.262 66.525 2.00
VERIFICATION 327
35.11 Vertical force balance
Description:
The vertical balance of a sheet pile wall loaded with a horizontal load F = 100 kN/m in
the middle, loaded by a normal force of N = 40 kN over the entire sheet piling, and
reinforced at the middle by an anchor with an inclination β = 15º is checked according
to [chapter 28]. The pile has the following properties: length L = 10 m, acting width
b = 2.5 m, height h = 400 mm, coating area Acoat = 1.35 m2/m2 wall, steel section
Asteel = 170 cm2/m. The soil reaction is neglected as the modulus of subgrade reaction is
equal to k = 0.01 kN/m³. The soil weight is γ = 15 kN/m³, the angle of friction is
δ = 20º, the neutral earth pressure coefficient is K0 = 0.58 and the cone resistance is
qc = 6 MPa.
friction
passive side active side
β
F
pile
Fanchor
anchor
Figure 35-12 – Forces equilibrium in benchmark 3-11
The vertical balance is checked considering two cases:

- the resulting force from friction is supposed to be entirely downwards on the
active side and upwards on the passive side, therefore
L
γ L2
= − Factive = ∫ K 0 γ z tan δ b dz = K 0 tan δ b
friction friction
Fpassive
2
0
- a coating area exists along the sheet piling, therefore

γ L2
friction
Fpassive = − Factive
friction
= K0 tan δ b Acoat
2
Benchmark result:
For the calculation of the vertical force balance, four contributions must be considered:
Fbalance = Factive
friction
+ F passive
friction
+ N + FVanchor
with:
γ L2
- friction
Fpassive = − Factive
friction
= K0 tan δ b = 395.82 kN (plugged)
2
γ L2
- friction
F passive = − Factive
friction
= K0 tan δ b Acoat = 534.35 kN (unplugged)
2
- FVanchor = − F tan β b = −66.99 kN
- N = −40 kN
The vertical force balance is then equal to: Fbalance = 106.99 kN
The vertical force capacity is:
ξ pr ;max; po int Asteel b 0.75 × 6000 × 0.017 × 2.5

Fmax = = = 153 kN (unplugged)
γ m,b 1.25
ξ pr ; po int;max h b 0.75 × 6000 × 0.4 × 2.5

Ftoe,d = = = 3600 kN (plugged)
γ m,b 1.25
MSheet result:
The results of the benchmark are compared with those found by MSheet in the table
below:
error [%]
Unplugged results:
Vertical active force [kN] -534.35 -534.35 0.00
Vertical passive force [kN] 534.35 534.36 0.00
Plugged results:
Vertical active force [kN] -395.82 -395.81 0.00
Vertical passive force [kN] 395.82 395.82 0.00

VERIFICATION 329
35.12 Horizontal pressures in stratified soil with additional

pore pressures
Description:
The horizontal pressures along a pile (L = 16 m) in a stratified soil are calculated. The
geometry is outlined in Figure 35-13.
CLAY CLAY
PEAT PEAT
SAND SAND
Figure 35-13 – Stratified soil with additional pore pressures
The following characteristics are chosen:

Clay Peat Sand
dry wet wet wet
Depth top layer 0 -1 -12 -13
γ [kN/m³] 14 11 20
K0 0.61 0.69 0.43
Additional pore pressure top: 0 0 -42 -80
bottom: 0 -42 -80 -80
Benchmark result:
Horizontal effective pressure is calculated for four different depths:
z = -0.6 m σ w = 0 kN/m2
σ ′H = K 0 (σ V − σ w ) = K 0 (γ × z − 0) = 0.61 × 14 × 0.6 = 5.124 kN/m2
z = -3.20 m σ w = 10 × (3.20 − 1) − 42 ×
(3.20 − 1) = 13.6 kN/m2
(12 − 1)
σ H′ = 0.61 × (14 × 3.20 − 13.6) = 19.032 kN/m2
⎡
σ w = 10 × (12.4 − 1) − ⎢42 +
(80 − 42) × (12.4 − 12) ⎤ = 56.8 kN/m2
z = -12.40 m ⎥
⎣ (13 − 12) ⎦
σ ′H = 0.69 × [12 × 14 + 0.4 × 11 − 56.8] = 79.764 kN/m2
z = -16 m σ w = 10 × (16 − 1) − 80 = 70 kN/m2
σ H′ = 0.43 × [12 × 14 + (13 − 12) × 11 + (16 − 13) × 20 − 70] = 72.67 kN/m2
MSheet result:
The results of the MSheet calculation are compared with the benchmark in the table
below:
Depth Benchmark MSheet Relative error

[%]
Pore pressure [kN] -0.6 m 0.00 0.00 0.00
-3.2 m 13.60 13.60 0.00
-12.4 m 56.80 56.80 0.00
-16 m 70.00 70.00 0.00
Horizontal pressure -0.6 m 5.12 5.12 0.00
[kN] -3.2 m 19.03 19.03 0.00
-12.4 m 79.76 79.76 0.00
-16 m 72.67 72.67 0.00
35.13 Functioning of classes in option Verify Sheet Piling

(Method II)
Description:
The verification is made on an anchored sheet pile wall where two loads are applied
during the second stage: a uniform load of 20 kN/m2 on the active side and a surcharge
load of 2 kN/m2 on the passive side (Figure 35-14). The following input low
representative values are used:
- Anchor modulus Eanchor = 1.9 × 108 kPa
- Cohesion c = 11 kPa
- Friction angle φ = 30°
- Delta friction angle δ = 20°
- Modulus of subgrade reaction k = 13000 kN/m³
- Ground level at passive side GLpas = -4 m
- Phreatic line at passive side WLpas = -6 m
- Phreatic line at active side WLact = -1 m
- Multiplication factor (anchor stiffness) f = 1.3
VERIFICATION 331
Figure 35-14 – Geometry for the sheet piling verification (stage 2)
When selecting the option Verify Sheet Piling, MSheet applies the partial factors and
level variations as defined in the Default Partial Factors window on soil strength (c, φ,
δ and k), ground level and phreatic surface, only during the selected stage [§ 29.3],
here the second stage. Verification consists of the execution of six analyses (steps 6.1
to 6.5 and step 9.1), for the five following safety classes: representative, I, II, III and
user-defined.
The user-defined partial factors and level changes are:

- Factor on cohesion 1.25
- Factor on tangent phi 1.3
- Factor on modulus of subgrade reactions 0.8
- Change in surface level on passive side 0.4 m
- Change in phreatic line on passive side 0.3 m
- Change in phreatic line on active side 0.1 m
The inputted partial factors on loads (uniform and surcharge) apply only for safety
class III and user-defined safety class. For other safety classes (representative, I and II)
the partial factor on loads is set equal to 1 as prescribed in table 3.7 of the CUR 166
procedure, whatever the inputted partial factor. For safety class III, table 3.7 of
CUR 166 prescribes values of 1.25 for unfavorable loads and 1.00 for favorable loads.
That’s the values used in this benchmark as shown in Table 35-1 below.
Table 35-1 – Partial factors and design values for loads

Safety class Representative I II III User-defined
Partial factor on 1 1 1 1.25 1.25
uniform load
Partial factor on 1 1 1 1 0.9
surcharge load
qunif [kN/m2] 20 20 20 20 × 1.25 = 25 20 × 1.25 = 25
qsurcharge [kN/m2] 2 2 2 2×1=2 2 × 0.9 = 1.8
Benchmark result:
The benchmark results are obtained using MSheet calculation results with different
input values to those mentioned above, only for the second stage. Input values are
design values used by MSheet when the option Verify Sheet Piling is selected.
The soil design input values are presented in the following tables for the five safety
classes and the steps 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 and 9.1.
Table 35-2 – Design values for representative safety class (stage 2)

File name bm3-13aa bm3-13ab bm3-13aa bm3-13ab bm3-13ac bm3-13ad
CUR step 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 9.1
Eanchor 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 E × 1.3 =
[kPa] 2.47 108
k [kN/m³] k / 1.0 = k × 2.25 = k / 1.0 = k × 2.25 = 13000 13000
13000 29250 13000 29250
c [kPa] 11 11 11 11 11 11
ϕ [º] 30 30 30 30 30 30
δ [º] 20 20 20 20 20 20
GLpas [m] -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4
WLpas [m] -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6
WLact [m] -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
Table 35-3 – Design values for safety class I (stage 2)

File name bm3-13ae bm3-13af bm3-13ag bm3-13ah bm3-13ac bm3-13ai
CUR step 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 9.1
Eanchor 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 E × 1.3 =
[kPa] 2.47 108
k [kN/m³] k / 1.3 = k × 2.25 = k / 1.3 = k × 2.25 = 13000 10000
10000 29250 10000 29250
c [kPa] c / 1.0 = c / 1.0 = c / 1.0 = c / 1.0 = 11 11
11 11 11 11
ϕ [º] 28.81 28.81 28.81 28.81 30 28.81
δ [º] 19.12 19.12 19.12 19.12 20 19.12
GLpas [m] -4.2 -4.2 -4.2 -4.2 -4 -4.2
WLpas [m] -5.85 -5.85 -6.15 -6.15 -6 -5.85
WLact [m] -0.95 -0.95 -0.95 -0.95 -1 -0.95
VERIFICATION 333
Table 35-4 – Design values for safety class II (stage 2)

File name bm3-13aj bm3-13ak bm3-13al bm3-13am bm3-13ac bm3-13an
CUR step 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 9.1
Eanchor 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 E × 1.3 =
[kPa] 2.47 108
k [kN/m³] k / 1.3 = k × 2.25 = k / 1.3 = k × 2.25 = 13000 10000
10000 29250 10000 29250
c [kPa] c / 1.0 = c / 1.0 = c / 1.0 = c / 1.0 = 11 11
11 11 11 11
ϕ [º] 26.66 26.66 26.66 26.66 30 26.66
δ [º] 17.56 17.56 17.56 17.56 20 17.56
GLpas [m] -4.3 -4.3 -4.3 -4.3 -4 -4.3
WLpas [m] -5.8 -5.8 -6.2 -6.2 -6 -5.8
WLact [m] -0.95 -0.95 -0.95 -0.95 -1 -0.95
Table 35-5 – Design values for safety class III (stage 2)

File name bm3-13ao bm3-13ap bm3-13aq bm3-13ar bm3-13ac bm3-13as
CUR step 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 9.1
Eanchor 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 E × 1.3 =
[kPa] 2.47 108
k [kN/m³] k / 1.3 = k × 2.25 = k / 1.3 = k × 2.25 = 13000 10000
10000 29250 10000 29250
c [kPa] c / 1.1 = c / 1.1 = c / 1.1 = c / 1.1 = 11 10
10 10 10 10
ϕ [º] 25.69 25.69 25.69 25.69 30 25.69
δ [º] 16.87 16.87 16.87 16.87 20 16.87
GLpas [m] -4.35 -4.35 -4.35 -4.35 -4 -4.35
WLpas [m] -5.75 -5.75 -6.25 -6.25 -6 -5.75
WLact [m] -0.95 -0.95 -0.95 -0.95 -1 -0.95
Table 35-6 – Design values for user-defined safety class (stage 2)

File name bm3-13at bm3-13au bm3-13av bm3-13aw bm3-13ac bm3-13ax
CUR step 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 9.1
Eanchor 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 1.9 108 E × 1.3 =
[kPa] 2.47 108
k [kN/m³] k / 0.8 = k × 2.25 = k / 0.8 = k × 2.25 = 13000 16250
16250 29250 16250 29250
c [kPa] c / 1.25 = c / 1.25 = c / 1.25 = c / 1.25 = 11 8.8
8.8 8.8 8.8 8.8
ϕ [º] 23.95 23.95 23.95 23.95 30 23.95
δ [º] 15.64 15.64 15.64 15.64 20 15.64
GLpas [m] -4.4 -4.4 -4.4 -4.4 -4 -4.4
WLpas [m] -5.7 -5.7 -6.3 -6.3 -6 -5.7
WLact [m] -0.9 -0.9 -0.9 -0.9 -1 -0.9
MSheet result:
MSheet results are obtained by using the option Partial factors in verified stage only
(method II) and selecting the second stage in the Verify Sheet Piling window for the
different safety classes with an Anchor stiffness multiplication factor of 1.3. The results
obtained from the Moment/Force/Displacement Charts window are compared in the
tables below.
Table 35-7 – Results for representative safety class (stage 2)

Benchmark MSheet Error
(bm3-13a) [%]
Steps 6.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13aa 30.7 30.7 0.00
and 6.3 Max. shear force [kN] 36.9 36.9 0.00
Anchor force [kN] 50.3 50.3 0.00
Steps 6.2 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13ab 30.3 30.3 0.00
Step 6.5 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13ac 30.7 30.7 0.00
Step 9.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13ad 31.0 31.0 0.00
Anchor force [kN] 52.3* 52.4 0.19
* Difference in shear force at the anchor position (level -1.5 m): 14.39 – (-37.96)
VERIFICATION 335
Table 35-8 – Results for safety class I (stage 2)

(bm3-13b) [%]
Step 6.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13ae 35.3 35.2 0.28
Step 6.2 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13af 33.1 33.0 0.30
Step 6.3 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13ag 34.8 34.7 0.29
Step 6.4 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13ah 32.8 32.8 0.00
Step 9.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13ai 35.6 35.5 0.28
Anchor force [kN] 58.0* 57.9 0.17
Table 35-9 – Results for safety class II (stage 2)

(bm3-13c) [%]
Step 6.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13aj 39.3 39.5 0.51
Step 6.2 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13ak 36.8 36.9 0.27
Step 6.3 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13al 39.0 39.0 0.00
Step 6.4 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13am 36.7 36.7 0.00
Step 9.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13an 39.5 39.7 0.5
Anchor force [kN] 61.8* 61.9 0.16
VERIFICATION 337
Table 35-10 – Results for safety class III (stage 2)

(bm3-13d) [%]
Step 6.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13ao 45.5 45.9 0.87
Step 6.2 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13ap 42.9 43.1 0.46
Step 6.3 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13aq 45.3 45.3 0.00
Step 6.4 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13ar 42.8 42.8 0.00
Step 9.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13as 45.3 45.7 0.88
Anchor force [kN] 71.4* 71.5 0.14
Table 35-11 – Results for user-defined safety class (stage 2)

(bm3-13e) [%]
Step 6.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13at 51.4 51.2 0.39
Step 6.2 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13au 49.6 49.4 0.40
Step 6.3 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13av 50.8 50.8 0.00
Step 6.4 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13aw 49.1 49.1 0.00
Step 9.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-13ax 50.9 50.7 0.39
Anchor force [kN] 73.0* 72.8 0.27
Use MSheet input files bm3-13a.shi till bm3-13e.shi to run this benchmark.
VERIFICATION 339
35.14 Functioning of classes in option Verify Sheet Piling

(Method I)
Description:
The same benchmark as the previous benchmark is used [§ 35.13]. But now, the partial
factors apply on all stages (method I) but not only the second stage as previously.
Benchmark results:
The same design values as those of Table 35-1 to Table 35-6 are used for both stages,
but not only the second one. See bm3-14aa.shi to bm3-14ax.shi for the benchmark
inputs and results.
MSheet result:
MSheet results are obtained by using the option Partial factors in all verified stages
(method I) for the different safety classes with an Anchor stiffness multiplication factor
of 1.3. The results obtained in the Moment/Force/Displacement Charts windows are
compared in the tables below.
Table 35-12 – Results for representative safety class (stage 2)

(bm3-14a) [%]
Steps 6.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14aa 30.7 30.7 0.00
Steps 6.2 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14ab 24.8 24.8 0.00
Step 9.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14ad 30.7 30.7 0.00
Table 35-13 – Results for safety class I (stage 2)

(bm3-14b) [%]
Step 6.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14ae 39.8 39.7 0.25
Step 6.2 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14af 29.7 29.5 0.68
Step 6.3 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14ag 39.4 39.3 0.25
Step 6.4 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14ah 29.5 29.4 0.34
Step 9.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14ai 39.8 39.7 0.25
VERIFICATION 341
Table 35-14 – Results for safety class II (stage 2)

(bm3-14c) [%]
Step 6.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14aj 43.1 43.3 0.46
Step 6.2 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14ak 32.6 32.7 0.31
Step 6.3 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14al 42.6 42.8 0.47
Step 6.4 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14am 32.4 32.5 0.31
Step 9.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14an 43.0 43.2 0.46
Table 35-15 – Results for safety class III (stage 2)

(bm3-14d) [%]
Step 6.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14ao 48.0 48.3 0.62
Step 6.2 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14ap 38.1 38.3 0.52
Step 6.3 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14aq 47.5 47.7 0.42
Step 6.4 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14ar 37.9 38.0 0.26
Step 9.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14as 47.7 48.0 0.62
VERIFICATION 343
Table 35-16 – Results for user-defined safety class (stage 2)

(bm3-14e) [%]
Step 6.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14at 50.1 49.8 0.60
Step 6.2 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14au 45.5 45.4 0.22
Step 6.3 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14av 49.3 49.4 0.20
Step 6.4 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14aw 45.0 45.1 0.22
Step 9.1 Max. moment [kNm] bm3-14ax 49.1 48.9 0.41
35.15 Functioning of classes in Design Sheet Piling Length
Description:
The same problem as [§ 35.13] is considered.
For the Design Sheet Piling Length option, MSheet applies the same partial factors on
modulus of subgrade reaction, cohesion, friction angle, ground level and phreatic
surface as for step 6.3 of the Verify Sheet Piling option.
Benchmark result:
The benchmark results are the same as [§ 35.14] for method I and the same as
[§ 35.13] for method II, for step 6.3. The table below gives an overview of the MSheet
files used as benchmark results.
Table 35-17 – MSheet files corresponding to the benchmark results

Safety class Method I Method II
(all stages verified) (only stage 2 verified)
Representativ bm3-14a.shi bm3-13a.shi
e
I bm3-14b.shi bm3-13ab.shi
II bm3-14c.shi bm3-13c.shi
III bm3-14d.shi bm3-13d.shi
User-defined bm3-14e.shi bm3-13e.shi
MSheet result:
MSheet results are obtained using the Design Sheet Piling Length option and selecting a
sheet piling length of 9 m.
Table 35-18 – Method I (all stages verified) – Results for stage 2

Safety Results Benchmark MSheet Relative
class (sheet piling length = 9 m) error [%]
Rep. Max. negative moment [kN] 30.7 30.7 0.00
bm3-14aa
Max. positive moment [kN] 10.7 10.7 0.00
bm3-15a
Anchor force [kN] 50.26 50.26 0.00
I Max. negative moment [kN] 39.3 39.3 0.00
bm3-14ag

bm3-15a

Anchor force [kN] 60.66 60.66 0.00
II Max. negative moment [kN] 42.8 42.8 0.00
bm3-14al
bm3-15a

Anchor force [kN] 64.13 64.13 0.00
III Max. negative moment [kN] 47.7 47.7 0.00
bm3-14aq

bm3-15a

Anchor force [kN] 71.88 71.88 0.00
User- Max. negative moment [kN] 49.4 49.4 0.00
bm3-14av
defined Max. positive moment [kN] 14.4 14.4 0.00

bm3-15b

Anchor force [kN] 67.59 67.59 0.00
VERIFICATION 345
Table 35-19 – Method II (only stage 2 verified) – Results for stage 2

Safety Results Benchmark MSheet Relative
class (sheet piling length = 9 m) error [%]
Rep. Max. negative moment [kN] 30.7 30.7 0.00
bm3-13aa
bm3-15a
Anchor force [kN] 50.26 50.26 0.00
I Max. negative moment [kN] 34.7 34.7 0.00
bm3-13ag
bm3-15a
Anchor force [kN] 55.38 55.38 0.00
II Max. negative moment [kN] 39.0 39.0 0.00
bm3-13al
bm3-15a
Anchor force [kN] 58.98 58.98 0.00
III Max. negative moment [kN] 45.3 45.3 0.00
bm3-13aq
bm3-15a
Anchor force [kN] 68.19 68.19 0.00
User- Max. negative moment [kN] 50.8 50.8 0.00
bm3-13av
defined Max. positive moment [kN] 15.3 15.3 0.00

bm3-15b

Anchor force [kN] 69.58 69.58 0.00
Use MSheet input files bm3-15a.shi to bm3-15b.shi to run this benchmark.

36
36 Benchmarks compared with
other programs
This chapter contains benchmarks for which the results of MSheet are compared with
the results of other programs.
36.1 Functioning of classes in option “Overall Stability”
Description:
The Overall Stability option checks overall sheet pilling stability using the Bishop
method with circular slip planes. For safety classes I, II and III, the strength
parameters c and tan φ are divided by 1.5 and 1.2 respectively and the driving moment
is multiplied by 0.9 (class I), 1.0 (class II) or 1.1 (class III) as prescribed in table 3.11
from CUR 166. For representative safety class, no partial factor is applied. For the user-
defined partial factor set, c and tan φ are divided by 1.2 and 1.4 respectively and the
driving moment by 0.8.
The verification is made on a sheet pile wall with the following representative
characteristics:
- Cohesion = 15 kPa
- Friction angle = 24°
- Weight of soil (sat. and unsat.) = 15 kN/m³
- Ground level at passive side = -5 m
- Ground level at active side =0m
- Phreatic surface at left side = -6 m
- Phreatic surface at right side = -9 m
- Uniform load at right side = 10 kN/m²
- Length of the sheet piling = 11 m
Figure 36-1 – Geometry for Overall Stability benchmark
Benchmark result:
Calculations are performed using the M-Serie program MStab 9.8.8 with the Bishop
method and the c-φ parameters.
For the representative safety class, the inputs given above are used and lead to a
stability factor of 2.091 (with a tangent line at Y = -11.10 m).
For safety classes I, II, III and user-defined, the design values of cohesion and friction
angle are:
c rep c rep
c I = c II = c III = = 10 kN/m2 c user = = 12.5 kN/m2
1 .5 1.2
⎛ tan ϕ rep ⎞ ⎛ tan ϕ rep ⎞

ϕ I = ϕ II = ϕ III = arctan⎜⎜ ⎟ = 20.36°
⎟ ϕ user = arctan⎜⎜ ⎟ = 17.64°
⎟
⎝ 1 .2 ⎠ ⎝ 1.4 ⎠
For safety class II, calculation with MStab leads to a stability factor of 1.582 (with a
tangent line at Y = -11.10 m).
For safety classes I and III, the driving moment is multiplied by 0.9 and 1.1
respectively. This means that stability factors for classes I and III are approximately:
VERIFICATION 349
R f 1.582
fI = = II = = 1.758
0.9 M 0.9 0.9
R f 1.582
f III = = II = = 1.438
1 .1 M 1 .1 1 .1
where R is the resisting moment and M is the driving moment.
For user-defined partial factors set, calculation with MStab leads to a stability factor of
1.608 (with a tangent line at Y = -11.10 m). As the driving moment must be multiplied
by the user-defined partial factor 0.8, the stability factor is approximately:
R 1.608
fuser = = = 2.010
0.8 M 0 .8
MSheet results:
In MSheet the value of the stability factor for the different safety classes is obtained
using the Overall Stability option. The MSheet and MStab results are compared in the
table below.
Table 36-1 – Stability factors for different partial factor sets

Partial factor set Benchmark MSheet Relative error [%]
(MStab)
Representative 2.09 2.09 0.00
Safety class I 1.74 1.76 1.14
Safety class II 1.58 1.58 0.00
Safety class III 1.42 1.44 1.39
User-defined 2.01 2.03 0.99

Literature
[Lit 1] Müller-Breslau, H.; Erddruck auf Stützmauern. Verlag Kröner, Stuttgart,

1906.
[Lit 2] Kötter, F.; Die Bestimmung des Druckes an gekrümmten Gleitflächen.

Sitzungsbericht Kön. Preuß. Ak. d. Wissenschaften, Berlin, 1903.
[Lit 3] Culmann, K.; Die Graphische Statik, Zürich, 1866.
[Lit 4] Kranz, E.; Über die Verankerung von Spundwänden. Verlag Wilhelm Ernst &
Sohn, 1953.
[Lit 5] Damwandconstructies (Design Guide Sheet Piling, in Dutch), CUR-publication

166, 1994.
[Lit 6] Terzaghi, K.; Evaluation of coefficients of subgrade reaction. Géotechnique,

Vol 5, no 4., 1955
[Lit 7] Amar, S. et. al; The application of pressure meter results to foundation
design in Europe, Part 1. ISSMFE European Technical Committee on Pressure
Meters, A. A Balkema, Rotterdam, 1991.
[Lit 8] Ménard, L et al; Méthode générale de calcul d’un rideau ou d’un pieu sollicité
horizontalement en fonction des résultats pressiométriques, Sols-soils 22-23
VI, 1971.
[Lit 9] DIN; 1982, DIN 4085, Baugrund, Berechnung des Erddrucks, Erläuterungen,
Beuth Bauverlag, 1982.
[Lit 10] Jáky, J.; Minimum value of earth pressure, Proc. 2nd Int. Conf. Soil Mech.
Found. Engg. I, Rotterdam, 1948.
[Lit 11] Boussinesq, J.; Application des Potentials à l’Étude de l’Équilibre et du

Mouvement des Solides Élastiques, Gauthier-Villars, Paris, 1885.
[Lit 12] NEN 6740, Dutch Design Code TGB; Geotechnical Structures.
[Lit 13] NEN 6743, Dutch Design Code TGB;C Calculation method for bearing capacity
of pile foundation Compression Piles.
[Lit 14] NEN 6770 Dutch Design Code TGB; Steel Structures.
[Lit 15] NEN 6702 Dutch Design Code TGB; Loads and deformations.
[Lit 16] CUR (Civieltechnisch Centrum Uitvoering Research en Regelgeving) Dutch

Design Guidelines; Publikatie 166 Damwanconstructies 4e druk, 2005.
[Lit 17] Brinch Hansen, J. and Christensen, N.H.; The Ultimate Resistance of Rigid
Piles Against Transversal Forces, Bulletin no. 12 of the Geoteknisk Institut,
1961.
[Lit 18] Orr, T.L.L and Farrell, E.R.; Geotechnical Design to Eurocode 7.
[Lit 19] Bouma, A. L. Mechanica van constructies, college b13, Technische

Hogeschool Delft, 1981.
[Lit 20] Harderwijk, NVAF/PSW, Schadevrij installeren van stalen damwand in

Nederland, 2002.
[Lit 21] E. H. de Leeuw; Tabellen ter bepaling van horizontale spanningen en

verplaatsingen in een homogene elastische laag van eindige dikte SE-58-IX-b,
1963.
[Lit 22] Janbu, N., Bjerrum, L. and Kjaernsli, B; Veiledning ved løsing av
fundamenteringsoppgaver (Soil mechanics applied to some engineering
problems), Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Publ. 16, Oslo, 1956.
Index
Acting width verification .............................302, 303

background ................................... 267 Berlin wall .........................................267
example........................................ 115 Bishop...............................................245
input............................................ 168
Boussinesq.........................................234
verification ................................... 325
Brinch-Hansen
Active earth pressure ......................... 176
background....................................264
Additional pore pressure input ............................................180
background ................................... 271 verification ....................................306
input............................................ 183
Buttons on icon bar ............................. 32
tutorial......................................... 125
verification ................................... 329 c, phi, delta .......................... See Culmann
Allowable anchor force Calculation ........................................201

background ................................... 241 allowable anchor force ....................206
calculation .................................... 206 menu .....................................199, 201
verification ............................ 290, 292 options..........................................199
overall stability ..............................208
Anchor ................................. See Anchors
single pile......................................201
Anchors start..............................................200
add button...................................... 34 verify sheet piling ..........................203
allowable force, background ............ 241
Charts
allowable force, calculation ............. 206
Moment/Force/Displacement ...........215
grout............................................ 191
stress state ....................................217
input............................................ 190
stresses .........................................218
modelling...................................... 191
Verification
overview of options.......................... 18
Moment/Forces/Displacement ..........216
pre-tensioning force....................... 196
view chart data .......................215, 217
stability ........................................ 241
tutorial.................................... 67, 111 Cohesion ...........................................175
Combined wall Design procedures

arching ......................................... 268 overview of options ......................... 20
background ................................... 267 Design sheet piling length...................202
input............................................ 169 calculate........................................202
tutorial......................................... 115 tutorial .......................................... 83
verification ................................... 308 verification ....................................343
Concrete floor under water Difference in pressure heads .See Additional
background ................................... 271 pore pressure
tutorial........................................... 87
Directories .........................................159
Culmann
Displacement
background ................................... 233
charts ...........................................215
select method................................ 162
graphs CUR 166 verification .............216
select per stage ............................. 196
pile top .........................................196
tutorial........................................... 57
soil ...............................................189
verification ............................ 312, 315
verification .............................302, 303
CUR 166............................................ 251
allowable anchor force.................... 206
background....................................231
allowable anchor force, background . 241
coarse/fine ....................................199
delta friction angle reduction.......... 200
Culmann........................................233
design sheet piling length .............. 202
fictive ...........................................201
method I....................................... 204
input for sheet piling......................176
method II ..................................... 205
input for single piles.......................180
modulus of subgrade reaction.......... 177
Jáky..............................................232
overall stability (Bishop) ................ 208
Kötter (curved slip surface) .............234
partial safety factors ............... 251, 255
Müller-Breslau................................233
representative values ..................... 251
neutral ..........................................232
safety classes ................................ 252
select calculation method ................162
select model.................................. 162
verification .............................294, 315
semi-probabilistic approach............. 251
supported steps ............................. 253 E-Consult
tutorial.................................... 97, 107 experiences....................................223
verification report.......................... 214 input ............................................221
verify sheet piling.......................... 203 NVAF lines .....................................221
vertical force balance ..................... 213 tutorial .........................................139
vertical force balance, background... 247 Eurocode 7
CUR step-by-step method ....... See CUR 166 defining partial factors....................162
Curve settings ................................... 176 Examples

Combined wall / Acting width..........115
Curved slip surfaces............................ 176
surcharge loads ..............................133
De Leeuw .......................................... 263
Experience data..................................223
Definitions of symbols .......................... 24
Fictive earth pressure coefficients ........201
Delft GeoSystems ................................. 27
File menu ..........................................157
Delta friction angle ............................ 175
Files................................................... 36
VERIFICATION 355
Forces location of datafile .........................159

charts........................................... 215 usage ............................................170
graphs CUR 166 verification ............ 216 Limitations ......................................... 23
Friction angle .................................... 175 Literature ..........................................351
GeoDelft ............................................. 27 Loads
Getting Started.................................... 29 displacement pile top......................196
Grout anchors.................................... 191 horizontal line load ........................186
allowable anchor force.................... 207 limited dimensions .........................269
menu ............................................184
Help ................................................... 25
moments .......................................187
Horizontal line loads normal force ..................................188
add button...................................... 34 overview of options ......................... 19
input............................................ 186 select per stage ..............................197
tutorial........................................... 78 soil displacements ..........................189
verification ............................ 278, 286 surcharges .....................................185
Icon bar.............................................. 32 tutorial ................................... 77, 133
Identification ............................. 163, 165 uniform .........................................184
Initial stage Main window....................................... 30

background ................................... 259 Measure distance between two points .... 33
input............................................ 199 Ménard
limitations .................................... 200 background....................................265
Initial stress...................................... 232 input ............................................181
Input diagram ..................................... 32 verification ....................................304
Introduction .............15, 37, 155, 227, 275 Menu

Calculation..............................199, 201
Jáky ................................................. 232
E-Consult module ...........................221
Ka, Ko , Kp...See Earth pressure coefficients File ...............................................157
Kötter (curved slip surface) Loads ............................................184
background ................................... 234 overview......................................... 30
input............................................ 176 Project ..........................................161
verification ................................... 294 Results ..........................................211
Language .......................................... 160 Soil ...............................................173
Stages ....................................194, 197
Lateral earth pressure
Supports........................................190
Culmann ....................................... 233
straight slip surface ....................... 233 Menu bar ............................................ 30
surcharge according to Boussinesq ... 234 Model
Lateral earth pressure ratio................. 231 select sheet piling ..........................161
select single pile.............................161
Layers
tutorial .......................................... 41
add to profile ................................ 182
input............................................ 174 Modules.............................................. 29
input for single pile ....................... 179 base module.................................... 17
c,phi,delta (Culmann) ...................... 21
Library
E-Consult........................................ 22
selection ....................................... 160 supports ......................................... 19

single pile ....................................... 21 Overall stability
verification ..................................... 21 background....................................245
Modulus of subgrade reaction.............. 238 calculation.....................................208
background ................................... 238 verification ....................................347
input CUR 166 (secant)................... 177 Pan button ......................................... 33
input single pile ............................ 181
Parameters.........................................174
input Tangent (MSheet classic)........ 178
unloading/reloading input.............. 177 Partial safety factors....................162, 251
verification ..................... 295, 297, 300 CUR 166 ........................................255
stages ...........................................253
Moments
user defined...................................162
add load button............................... 34
charts........................................... 215 Passive earth pressure.........................176
charts CUR 166 verification ............. 216 Pile top displacement
input............................................ 187 verification ....................................280
verification ................................... 282 Pile Top displacement .........................196
MSheet Piles...................................See Single pile
characteristics ................................. 17
Pre-compressed struts ................ See Struts
starting .......................................... 29
support........................................... 26 Pre-stressed anchors ............... See Anchors
Müller-Breslau (straight slip surface) Profiles

background ................................... 233 input ............................................182
input............................................ 176 Project menu .....................................161
verification ................................... 294 tutorial .......................................... 41
Neutral earth pressure ........................ 176 Reference ..........................................155
Non-horizontal surface Release history.................................... 22
background ............................ 233, 259 Report
input............................................ 173 content .........................................212
tutorial........................................... 57 select content ................................211
verification ................................... 324 verification report ..........................214
Normal force Representative values .........................251
input............................................ 188
Results ..............................................212
verification ................................... 286
overview of options ......................... 20
NVAF lines ........................................ 221 report ...........................................212
Options stress state ....................................217
anchors & struts .............................. 18 verification report ..........................214
design procedures ............................ 20 Rigid supports
loads .............................................. 19 input ............................................194
results ............................................ 20 verification ....................................282
sheet piling..................................... 18
Rotation ............................................193
single pile ....................................... 21
soil................................................. 19 RWS ................................................... 28
staged construction.......................... 20 Safety classes.....................................251
VERIFICATION 357
Seepage ......... See Additional pore pressure select profile ..................................198

Select button ...................................... 33 stages ...........................................239
semi-probabilistic approach................. 251 Spring support

add button ..................................... 34
Settings
chart ..................................... 163, 165 Spring supports
diagram ................................. 163, 164 input ............................................193
verification ....................................282
Sheet pile wall.................. See Sheet piling
Staged construction.................. See Stages
Sheet piling
background ................................... 229 Stages
design length ................................ 202 background....................................239
input window ................................ 167 input ............................................194
library .......................................... 170 Manager ........................................194
overview of options.......................... 18 menu .....................................194, 197
tutorial........................................... 42 overview and input.........................195
verification 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, overview of options ......................... 20
290 single piles ....................................197
verify using CUR ............................ 203 Stage Composer ............................... 34
tutorial .......................................... 67
Single pile
arching ......................................... 264 Start calculation.................................200
background ................................... 263 Starting MSheet .................................. 29
calculation .................................... 201 Straight slip surfaces ..........................176
input............................................ 173
Stress
library .......................................... 173
diagrams........................................218
loaded by forces ..................... 143, 264
distribution due to surcharges .........322
loaded by soil deformation....... 149, 263
initial............................................232
overview of options.......................... 21
stages........................................... 197 Stress state
tutorial.................................. 143, 149 charts ...........................................217
verification ............................ 304, 306 Strut ........................................See Struts
Single piles Struts
library .......................................... 170 add button ..................................... 34
Soil .................................................. 173 input ............................................192
background stiffness ...................... 238 overview of options ......................... 18
background strength ...................... 237 pre-compression force .....................197
displacement verification................ 288 verification .............................303, 321
displacements................................ 189 Struts verification ..............................304
lateral earth pressure ..................... 264 Supports
layers ........................................... 174 add button ..................................... 34
menu............................................ 173 anchors .........................................190
modified soil reaction..................... 268 menu ............................................190
overview of options.......................... 19 overview of options ......................... 19
parameters .................................... 174 rigid supports.................................194
profiles ......................................... 182 select ............................................198
select per stage ............................. 197 calculation.....................................203

spring supports.............................. 193 moments, forces & displacements .....216
struts ........................................... 192 tutorial .........................................108
Surcharge loads verification .............................330, 339
add button...................................... 34 Vertical force balance
background ................................... 234 background....................................247
input............................................ 185 input ............................................168
limited size, background................. 269 report ...........................................212
limited size, tutorial....................... 133 tutorial .......................................... 57
tutorial........................................... 78 Vertical Force Balance
verification ............................ 317, 322 verification ....................................327
Surfaces............................................ 173 View results
add .............................................. 174 menu sheet piling...........................211
input............................................ 173 moments, forces & displacements .....215
select ........................................... 197 Moments/Force/Displacement charts
select per stage ............................. 196 CUR 166 verification .......................216
tutorial......................................44, 60 report ...........................................212
Symbols .............................................. 24 stress state ....................................217
System requirements............................ 23 stresses .........................................218
verification report ..........................214
Tangent modulus of subgrade reaction . 178
Wall friction
Translation........................................ 193
background....................................237
Tutorials ............................................. 37 input ............................................175
Under water See Concrete floor under water Water levels
Uniform loads input ............................................183
add button...................................... 34 select ............................................197
input............................................ 184 select per stage ..............................196
verification ................................... 321 verification ....................................311
Unit weight of soil Water pressure ............................271, 273
saturated ...................................... 175 different on both sides of sheetpile ..271
unsaturated .................................. 175 Water properties.................................184
Unit weight of water .......................... 184 Zoom
Unloading / Reloading ....................... 238 Area button .................................... 33
Verification .... See Eurocode 7, See CUR 166 In button........................................ 33
Limits button .................................. 34
Verify sheet piling
Out button...................................... 33
report........................................... 214
Undo button ................................... 34
Verify Sheet Piling

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MSheet Version 7

Design of Diaphragm and Sheet Pile Walls

M.A.T Visschedijk, GeoDelft, the Netherlands

With the co-operation of:

GeoDelft, Delft, the Netherlands, 2005

This manual may not be reproduced, in whole or in part,

3 TUTORIAL 1: EXCAVATION USING KA, KO AND KP 39

4 TUTORIAL 2: EXCAVATION USING C, PHI, DELTA 57

5 TUTORIAL 3: STAGED EXCAVATION WITH PRE-STRESSED ANCHORS 67

5.5.1 Stages Manager ...................................................................................71

6 TUTORIAL 4: APPLYING LOADS 77

7 TUTORIAL 5: DESIGN OF REQUIRED SHEET PILING LENGTH 83

8 TUTORIAL 6: SUBMERGED CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE FLOOR 87

9 TUTORIAL 7: DESIGN CODE CHECKING (CUR 166, METHOD I) 97

10 TUTORIAL 8: DESIGN CODE CHECKING (CUR 166, METHOD II) 107

11 TUTORIAL 9: VERIFY ANCHOR STABILITY (KRANZ METHOD) 111

12 TUTORIAL 10: MODELLING OF COMBI-WALLS 115

13 TUTORIAL 11: NON-HYDROSTATIC PORE PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION 125

14 TUTORIAL 12: MODELLING OF LOADS WITH LIMITED DIMENSIONS 133

15.3 E-Consult Experiences.................................................................................... 141

16 TUTORIAL 14: HORIZONTALLY LOADED PILE (MOORING POST) 143

17 TUTORIAL 15: HORIZONTAL PILE DEFORMATION CAUSED BY EMBANKMENT 149

19.2.4 Construction menu – Profiles library .................................................... 170

21 VIEW RESULTS 211

22 E-CONSULT MODULE 221

23 GOVERNING EQUATION 229

24 LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE RATIO 231

25 SOIL STRENGTH AND STIFFNESS 237

26 ALLOWABLE ANCHOR FORCE 241

27 OVERALL STABILITY 245

28 VERTICAL FORCE BALANCE 247

29 THE CUR 166 STEP-BY-STEP DESIGN PROCEDURE 251

30 INITIAL STAGE 259

31 ANALYSIS OF SINGLE PILES 263

32 SPECIAL CASES 267

33 BENCHMARKS WITH AN EXACT SOLUTION 277

34 BENCHMARKS FROM LITERATURE 311

35 BENCHMARKS: SPECIAL APPLICATIONS 315

36 BENCHMARKS COMPARED WITH OTHER PROGRAMS 347

1.2 Features in standard module

Figure 1-1 – MSheet Options

1.2.1 Sheet Piling

1.2.2 Anchors and Struts

MSheet models both anchors and struts using discrete springs.

Figure 1-2 – Stress-Strain Relationship for Anchors

• Anchors. Anchors are characterized by arbitrary direction, elastic normal stiffness,

Horizontal soil layers can be defined, optionally in combination with a non-horizontal

horizontal effective stress

Figure 1-3 – Soil Stress versus Displacement

• Physical Non-linear. MSheet makes use of multi-linear relationships between

For detailed information see [chapter 24] and [chapter 25].

1.2.4 Loads and Supports

hydrostatic pore excess pore pressure

• Construction. Excavation or elevation of soil (see staged construction).

1.2.5 Staged Construction

Construction sequences can be modeled using a step-by-step (phased) analysis. This

1.2.6 Design Procedures

1.3 Features in additional modules