Numerical 3D Modelling of a Quay Wall System in Soft Ground Conditions

For quay wall structures challenging geotechnical conditions can be met due to the marine environment and it is quite common that a conservative design is adopted due to soft soil deposits and strict serviceability port requirements. The aim of this study is to examine a special cofferdam type of quay wall solution for soft soil conditions taking into account different constitutive soil models, load conditions and 3D soil-structure interaction effects.

The investigation was based on finite element model analysis with advanced constitutive models, like the modified cam-clay and the soft soil creep models. The effect of the soil models was examined in detail regarding the different loads and model assumptions of the soft ground conditions. It was found that the modified cam-clay model was appropriate and the most numerically stable to model the soil-structure interaction of the soft soil and the quay wall.

Based on the numerical 3D model a detailed performance analysis was completed and the assessment of the adopted structural solution was also conducted. The obtained results can support quay wall projects in soft soil, either on the level of feasibility study, or at the design phase.