This paper presents a novel strut-free earth retaining wall system for excavation, referred to as the asymmetric double-row pile wall (ARPW) retaining system. This system comprises three key elements: front-row reinforced concrete piles, back-row walls, and connecting crossbeams at the top of the piles. This paper aims to analyze the deformation characteristics and mechanical behavior of the ARPW retaining system, double-row pile wall (DRPW) retaining system, and single-row pile wall (SPW) retaining system using both physical model tests and numerical simulations. The study reveals that, with reasonable row spacing, double-row structures exhibit substantially lower earth pressure and bending moments compared to SPW. Additionally, all double-row structures display reverse bending points. The optimal row spacing for DRPW and ARPW is within the ranges of 2D to 6D and 4D to 8D, respectively. ARPW outperforms DRPW by efficiently utilizing active zone friction force and soil weight force (Gs) to resist overturning moments, thereby resulting in improved anti-overturning capabilities, reduced deformations, lower internal forces, and enhanced stability. The study also presents a case study from the Jinzhonghe Avenue South Side Plot in Tianjin, demonstrating the practical application and effectiveness of the ARPW system in meeting stringent deformation requirements for deep foundation pits. These research findings provide valuable insights for practical engineering applications.

Sliding damage of canal slopes due to the degradation of shear and compression properties of expansive soils caused by long-term dry-wet-freeze-thaw cycles is frequently encountered in canal projects in cold and arid regions. To address this issue, this paper developed a new reinforcing technique for expansive soil canal slopes with monolithic structural anti-slide piles. The sliding damage mechanism of the canal and the reinforcement schemes were analyzed based on the numerical simulations with the FLAC 3D software. The results showed that force redistribution of double-row piles occurred under the longitudinal connection. The maximum reduction in pile displacement was 20.66% under the X-type connection, and the distribution of internal force of pile body changed. The pile forces were redistributed again under the full connection mode, and the pile displacement increased by 4.38%, 95.14%, and 82.09% under the transverse and longitudinal connection mode, the front and rear full connection mode, and the frame full connection mode, respectively. The stability of the canal slope returned to a steady state (F-S > 1.30) in the full connection mode. The findings in this paper can provide guidance for practical engineering.