Evaluation of a T-Wall Section in New Orleans Considering 3D Soil-Structure Interaction
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 8
Abstract
T-walls in New Orleans survived Hurricane Katrina whereas I-walls obviously failed in several sections. However, it is still unclear whether these T-walls truly survived the hurricane with a fair amount of safety margins or barely survived it with undetected damages. The initial design of T-walls was based on simplified loading conditions with limited consideration of soil-structure interaction. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) numerical analyses were conducted, incorporating realistic loading conditions and soil-structure interactions but with time-saving techniques to evaluate the detailed behavior of T-walls. This paper addressed the procedure of innovative 3D numerical analyses and important findings by using special structural elements in . From this study, T-walls were found to have adequate stress levels in H-piles and concrete walls. However, it showed that the major factor that may cause the instability of the T-wall was the slope instability-type unbalanced force. This unbalanced force, however, was counteracted by the batter piles so that the overall stability of the T-wall system could be maintained.
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Acknowledgments
The authors appreciate the funding received under a subcontract from the Department of Homeland Security-sponsored Southeast Region Research Initiative (SERRI) at the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 137 • Issue 8 • August 2011
Pages: 731 - 742
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 19, 2009
Accepted: Nov 25, 2010
Published online: Dec 10, 2010
Published in print: Aug 1, 2011
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