Analysis of a cofferdam support and design implications

The procedure used for the analysis and design of a single reinforced concrete ring beam supporting a large diameter sheet pile cofferdam is presented. A simplified two dimensional model on a powerful commercial structural analysis program was employed. Non-conventional techniques were used to analyse the ring beam under non-uniform loadings of the cofferdam during the various stages of construction. Design implications of reinforcing the beam to cope with these loads is also discussed.