A sheet pile wall or bulkhead may be subjected to which one of the following types of lateral pressures?
- AActive and passive earth pressureCorrect
- BVertical pressure due to ship impact
- CBalanced water pressure
- DInclined wind pressure
Solution
Concept
Lateral pressures on sheet piles
Step-by-step solution
1. A sheet pile wall retains soil on one side and gets support from soil on the other side. 2. The lateral loads on it are the active earth pressure behind and the passive earth pressure in front.
Explanation
The design of cantilever and anchored sheet piles is based on active and passive earth pressures, along with water pressure where applicable.
Why the other options are wrong
Vertical ship impact and inclined wind pressure are not lateral earth pressures; "balanced water pressure" produces no net load.
Shortcut
Sheet pile = Ka behind, Kp in front.
Common mistake
Choosing balanced water pressure.
Correct answer: A) Active and passive earth pressure