A numerical model for predicting the bending strength of Larssen steel sheet piles.

Larssen steel piles are U-shaped in cross-section and are connected together by sliding joints to form quay walls, cofferdams and other types of retaining wall. Since the sliding joints are located along the centreline of the pile wall, slippage of one pile relative to another can lead to a 70% reduction in elastic bending strength. This slippage can be partially prevented by installing the piles in pairs, where the joints are ‘crimped’ in order to prevent inter-pile movement. However, like non-crimped piles, the bending strength is difficult to predict since slip can occur between the crimped pile pairs. This paper presents a numerical model for predicting the bending stresses in crimped piles. Tests are also reported on one-sixth scale pile walls constructed from extruded aluminium Larssen piles, with the results compared to those from the numerical model