The performance Ofhydraulic structures predicted from model tests
Abstract
Most cofferdams are constructed with an adequate factor of safety regarding the structural components. Therefore failure can occur only due to piping or bottom heave within the excavation caused by water seeping from the higher outside to the lower inside water table.This paper scrutinizes the different analytical and semi-empirical methods used in the analysis of sheeted cofferdams for hydraulic considerations and these are compared to the results of a series of model tests carried out in a flow tank. The model test investigation in turn is used to analyze a failure of a prototype cofferdam.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Dam Engineering and Safety
Hydraulic flow and structures
Geotechnical Engineering and Analysis
Publication details
- Journal / source
- CRC Press eBooks
- Pages
- 249–256
- Publication date
- 12 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter