Experimental Investigation on Deformation Characteristics of Strutted U-Shape Sheet Pile Flexible Retaining Structures in Excavations Using 3D Printing

U-shape steel sheet piles are widely used in deep and large excavation engineering due to their excellent soil-retaining water-stopping performances. To achieve deformation control excavations, an experimental investigation on the characteristics of a strutted pile flexible retaining structure was conducted. Single-layer double-layer indoor model tests sand, where were formed by 3D printing, successfully accomplished. Deformation monitored real time during test. The results show that lateral displacement mode transformed with change from “cantilever” “bulge” finally developed into intricate “recurve bow”. average maximum 0.756% depth. With settlement 0.375% depth average, distribution ground behind walls changed “exponential” “triangular” before ultimately transforming “trough” or “trapezoid” mode. ratio (smax/δmax) 0.54; rate always less than rate.