Distributions of lateral earth pressure behind rock-socketed circular diaphragm walls considering radial deflection

The distributions of lateral earth pressure behind rock-socketed circular diaphragm walls are investigated. Two different motion mechanisms of the wall during excavation and their corresponding simplified formulas of radial deflection are considered. Then, combined with the motion modes and radial deflection of circular diaphragm wall during excavation, a semi-analytical solution for the lateral earth pressure by using three-dimension horizontal and vertical stress equilibrium for the differential element of the cohesive surrounding soil is introduced. Furthermore, the applicability of the proposed method is validated by comparison with the results with an axisymmetric beam on a nonlinear elastic foundation method, as well as a field case.