Steel sheet pile bulkhead inspection

[Awre]

I will be inspecting an old sheet pile bulkhead including anchoring system to stand on the condition for potential reuse with new oversheeting wall. There's no drawings available and also no details on the deadman (type and location). The contractor on site will excavate along the tie rod and back until they reach the deadman so the type will be determind and the condition will assessd and this should be on 3 or 4 randomly selected ones (tie rods are 8' apart and there're 15 of them. My concern is the risk that this process may have; such as excessive deflection or collapse of portion of the bulkhead if the deadman is exposed. I was thinking of once the deadman location is determined; excavation should move to the rear of the deadman. Any advice? Thanks

 

[DRC1]

Go 4 or 5 feet either side of the anchor and excavate down to the tie. Go out from the wall a distance of about a third of the distance of the wall to the mud line plus 5 feet. This should relive the driving force on the wall in the vicinity of the tie. What I am trying to do is remove the soil in the failure wedge above the anchor and replicating the condition when the anchor was installed. Things are never perfect so include considerable conservatisim. Also note since we can't see the sitethe site, you will need to apply your judgement to the excavation proceedure.

 

[VAD]

adfo:

While excavation allows one to see the system and evaluate the condition, there is a possibility of checking on the system using non destructive testing as well. This may be used in combination with a limited amount of destructive testing. As to the non destructive testing, you may wish to do some research/phone calls etc. Low strain integrity testing comes to mind. However, I am not sure of its viability. I presume that you will be checking on the integrity of the sheet pile and tie rods. I once exhumed a deadman anchor using a vacuun truck - narrow slot. All wireropes were in sound condition after over 69 years embedded.

Just some thoughts