Numerical Modelling of Soil-Nail and Secant Pile in Plaxis 2D: A Case Study of Tomb of Jam Nizam-al-Din Samoo, Makkli Thatta

A numerical analysis using Plaxis 2D reveals that secant piles can significantly reduce the settlement of the Tomb of Jam Nizam-al-Din Samoo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site at Makli, Thatta. The study found that installing secant piles of 12 meters effectively mitigates slope degradation-induced subsidence, offering an economical alternative to retaining walls. Additionally, soil nails installed on the eastern side of the slope improved its Factor of Safety (FOS), reducing the risk of failure and potential tilting or collapse of the tomb. The FOS decreased from 1.36 to 1.10 as the slope angle increased from 45° to 35°, highlighting the critical role of structural interventions in preserving heritage structures on unstable terrains.

Shah, S. R. A., Kumar, A., Ali, T. H., Hakro, M. R., & Zardari, M. A. (2021). Numerical Modelling of Soil-Nail and Secant Pile in Plaxis 2D: A Case Study of Tomb of Jam Nizam-al-Din Samoo, Makkli Thatta. Civil and Environmental Engineering, 17(2), 706–717. https://doi.org/10.2478/cee-2021-0070