Experimental and Numerical Investigations on the Moment Capacity and Stability of Z‐shaped Steel Piles

Abstract Harbour structures like quay walls or construction pit in civil engineering are often built up with steel sheet piles. Aside of U‐steel piles also Z‐shaped interlocks widely used such structures. The pressure on costs and efficiency the competition this field lead to necessity increased design. To benefit from potentials bending moment capacity semi‐compact forming infills combined walls, four‐point‐bending tests were carried out by Institute Structural Design at Materials Testing Stuttgart 2019. A FE‐model was validated back‐calculating tests, followed an extensive parametric study (GMNIA) different Z‐piles. Among others geometries, which b/t‐ratios grade varied leading a compression flange slenderness. In addition, lock state investigate impact as: Free rotation, crimped crimping densities fully welded over entire length. Three resistance models investigated evaluated for further development Eurocode 3 Part 5. FE model simplified developed stability analyses. This aimed under axial loads.