Field Study of a Cellular Bulkhead

A detailed experimental analysis is presented of the structural behavior of a segment of a steel sheet pile cellular bulkhead in Long Beach Harbor, Calif. The bulkhead consists of 62-ft diam circular cells with connecting arcs and retains a 55-ft height of fine silty sand hydraulic fill. Measurements were made, beginning during construction and extending over 4 yr, of sheet pile strains and deflections, pore water pressures, and soil and bulkhead movements. The findings provide both empirical knowledge and a clearer understanding of cellular bulkhead performance. Of particular interest were the hoop tensions and associated lateral earth pressures, the consolidation phenomena, and the distortions of sheet piles and soil. Useful information was obtained about field instrumentation and the importance of certain construction procedures. The test results are provided in as full detail as feasible.