Abstract: Geotechnical centrifuge model tests of a sheet pile wharf with barrier piles are carried out for optimum design of a deep water sheet pile wharf.The lateral earth pressures acting on the barrier piles both on seaside and landside are measured in the tests.Test results show that the seaside earth pressure distribution of the barrier piles is similar to the landside before excavation of the harbor pond,while after excavation of the harbor pond,the seaside earth pressure is clearly less than the landside.The thickness of the front wall can be controlled within a rational range by using barrier piles to reduce earth pressure acting on the front wall.