Evaluation of New Concepts for Cellular Structure Construction

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a research project which identified problems with sheetpile cellular construction and proposed solutions. Sheetpile cellular structures are cylinders of sheetpile that are filled with soil. Several of these cylinders may be interconnected to form cofferdams and wharfs, or an isolated cell may be used to moor barges and ships. The most prominent shortcomings of the existing method of construction are the lack of redundancy of the structural system for safety, and the complexity and hazards involved with constructing the cells. There are three major findings in the study: (1) Bursting is the dominant failure mode for cellular structures; (2) a concept which would involve the use of wider sheetpiles would increase structural safety, however, a very large order might be required to justify retooling costs; and (3) another concept, cell structures built from hooplike concrete segements, could be designed to a high target reliability.