NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF PILE-SUPPORTED T-WALLS SUBJECT TO LARGE SETTLEMENTS AND FLOOD LOADING

摘要

T-walls, which are concrete floodwalls in an inverted “T” shape, are an integral component of the GreaterrnNew Orleans Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS). In order to resist largernlateral flood loads, T-walls are typically supported on long batter piles that extend through the weak andrncompressible clays and peats commonly encountered in southern Louisiana. Since the piles are battered,rnsettlement of the compressible foundation soils can result in loads acting normal to the piles and inducernpile bending moments. Therefore, the design of pile-supported T-walls is a complex soil-structurerninteraction problem that requires detailed and careful numerical analysis to accurately estimate thernstresses and bending moments in the piles. For this paper, numerical analyses were performed for threerncross sections that each included a two-pile T wall system that was installed within a 15-ft tall new leveernembankment. The cross sections were identical except that the elevation of the T-wall base was varied.rnThis paper discusses the analyses, and it compares the influence of settlements and flood loading on thernpile stresses and bending moments. In addition, this paper includes general recommendations for thernanalysis and design of pile-supported T-walls in practice.