8/26/2021 Worked Example: Retaining Wall Design | The Structural World

Worked Example:

Figure A.1-Retaining Wall Cross Section

Consider the cantilever retaining wall with the cross-section shown in the above Figure A.1, which retains a 2m
depth of soil having the groundwater table at -1.0m level.

Design Parameters:
Soil Bearing Capacity, qall : 100 kPa
Coefficient of Soil Friction, ф: 30°
Unit Weight of Soil, ɣs: 18 kN/m3
Unit Weight of Water, ɣw: 10 kN/m3
Unit Weight of Concrete, ɣc: 25 kN/m3
Surcharge, ω: 12 kN/m2
Ground Water Level: -1m from 0.00 level
Height of Surcharge, h: 0.8m
Height of Wall: 2.0m
f’c: 32 Mpa
fy: 460 Mpa
concrete cover: 75mm

1. Analytical Geometry and Variables

Before we proceed with the design, it is important for the designer to know the geometric variable and
parameters of the retaining wall. Refer to Figure A.2 below.

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Figure A.2-Retaining Wall Geometric Variables

where:

H: Height of the retaining wall

L: Width of the base
D: Thickness of the base
B: Width of the toe
C: Stem thickness at the bottom
T: Stem thickness at the top

2. Approximate Proportions of a Cantilever Retaining Wall

The next thing to consider is the assumptions that we can make in terms of the geometry of the retaining wall
that we are designing. Given the height, H of the retaining wall, we can assume or counter check our initial
design considerations should at least according to the following geometric proportions:

Base width: L= 0.5H to 2/3H

Thickness of base: D= 0.10H
Stem thickness at the bottom: C=0.10H
Width of the toe: B= 0.25L to 0.33L
Stem thickness at the top: t=250mm (minimum)

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Based on the above approximate geometric proportions, let us assumed the following parameters to be used in
our design:

Base width:                 L= 1.5m

Base thickness:          D= 0.25m
Stem thickness:          C=t =0.25m
Width of Toe:               B= 0.625m

3. Analytical Model
Sketches of the retaining wall forces should be considered to properly distinguish the different forces acting on
our retaining wall as tackled in the previous article, Retaining Wall: A Design Approach. Based on our
example in Figure A.1, we have the forces due to soil pressure, due to water and surcharge load to consider.
Figure A.3 below is most likely our analytical model.

READ ALSO:   Shear Friction Check: A Worked Example

 Figure A.3-Retaining Wall Forces Diagram

Considering the Figure A.3, we can derive the following equation for the active pressures, Pa and passive
pressure Pp. Notice that the pressures acting on the wall are equivalent to the area (triangle) of the pressure
distribution diagram. Hence,

Pa1=1/2 ɣKaH2              →eq. 1,  where H is the height of retained soil

Pa2=1/2 ɣHw2                  →eq.2,  where Hw is the height of the groundwater level
Pa3=ωKah                    →eq.3,  where h is the height of surcharge

The passive pressure, Pp would be:

Pp=1/2 ɣkpHp2               →eq.4

Values of Coefficient of Pressure, ka and kp

According to Rankine and Coulomb Formula, the following are the equation in calculating the coefficient of
pressure:

Ka= (1-sin ф)/(1+sin ф)

Ka= 0.33

Kp= (1+sin ф)/(1-sin ф)

Kp= 3

Substituting the values, we have the following results:

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Pa1=1/2 ɣkaH2  = 11.88kN

Pa2=1/2 ɣHw2= 5kN
Pa3=ωkah= 3.17 kN
Pp=1/2 ɣkpHp2= 9.72kN

3. Stability Check:
There are two checks to consider the stability of the retaining wall. One is the check for an overturning moment
and the other one is the check for sliding. The weight of the retaining wall including the gravity loads within it
plays a vital role in performing the stability check. Refer to Figure A.4 for the mass or weight calculations.

Figure A.4-Retaining Wall Weight Components

The self-weight component of the retaining wall should be factored down or to be multiplied by weight reduction
factor (0.9) to account for uncertainty because they are “stabilizing” in this context. Hence,

Weight due to soil: W1= 18kN/m3 x 0.6m x 0.625m x 1.0m = 6.75kN

Weight due to footing: W2= 0.9 x 25kN/m3 x 0.25m x 1.5m x 1.0m = 8.44kN
Weight due to wall: W3= 0.9 x 25kN/m3 x 0.25m x 2.0m x 1.0m = 11.25kN
Weight due to soil: W4= 18kN/m3 x 0.625m x 2.0m x 1.0m = 22.5kN
Weight due to water: W5= 10kN/m3 x 0.625m x 1.0m x 1.0m = 6.25kN
Weight due to surcharge: Ws= 12kN/m2 x 0.625m x 1.0m  = 7.5kN
Total Weight, WT = 62.69kN

3.1 Check for Overturning Moment:

To satisfy the Overturning Moment Stability, the following equation should follow:

where:

RM: Righting Moment due to the weight of the retaining wall

OM: Overturning Moment due to lateral earth pressure

With reference to Figure A.4 diagram and taking moment at the point, P conservatively neglecting the effect of
passive pressure hence:

RM= W2 (0.75) + W3(0.75) + W4(1.19) + W5(1.19) + Ws(1.19) = 60.02 kNm

OM= Pa1 (0.67) +Pa2 (0.33) +Pa3 (0.4) = 10.88kNm

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READ ALSO:   Construction Joint in Slabs

RM/OM = 5.52> 2.0,                         hence SAFE in Overturning Moment!

3.2 Check for Sliding

To satisfy the stability against sliding, the following equation should govern:

where:

RF: Resisting Force

SF: Sliding Force

The sliding check should be carried out with reference to the Figure A.4 diagram and considering the
summation of vertical forces for resisting force and horizontal forces for sliding force conservatively neglecting
the passive pressure, hence:

RF= W1+W2+W3+W4+W5+ Ws = 55.94kN

SF= Pa1+Pa2+Pa3 = 20.05kN

RF/SF = 2.79 > 1.5,      hence SAFE for Sliding!

4. Check the Wall Thickness for Shear

The nominal shear is equal to the lateral forces on the retaining wall, neglecting the effect of passive pressure
which will give us:

Nominal Shear, Vn = 20.05kN

Ultimate Shear, Vu = 1.6Vn = 32.08kN

For the thickness of the wall to be safe in shear, the ultimate shear, Vu should less than the allowable shear,
Vallow as recommended by the ACI 318 code.

Vc = 0.17√fc’bwd

where: ф=0.75

bw=1000mm

d= 250mm-75mm-6mm = 169mm

Vc = 0.17√fc’bwd = 162.52kN

Vallow= 121.89kN

 Since Vu < Vallow, hence SAFE in Shear!

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5. Design the Wall Stem for Flexure

Nominal Moment, Mn = 10.88kNm
Ultimate Moment, Mu = 1.6Mn = 17.40kNm

Mu =φ fc’ bd2ω (1- 0.59 ω)

17.40×106 = 0.90 x 32 x 1000 x 1692 ω (1-0.59 ω)

ω = 0.0216

ρ = ω fc’/fy= 0.00150

As= ρbd = 0.00150x1000x169 = 254mm2

Asmin= ρminbt = 0.002 x 1000 x 250 = 500mm2

Required Vertical Bar: Try T10-200; As act= 392mm2 x 2 sides = 785.4mm2

Required Horizontal Bar: Try T10-250; As act= 314mm2 x 2 sides= 628.32mm2

Hence: use T10-200 for vertical bar and T10-250 for horizontal bar.

6. Check for Bearing Pressure under Footing

The foundation bearing capacity usually governs the design of the wall. The soil, particularly under the toe of
the foundation, is working very hard to resist the vertical bearing loads, sliding shear, and to provide passive
resistance to sliding. The bearing capacity of the soil should be calculated taking into account the effect of
simultaneous horizontal loads applied to the foundation from the soil pressure.

For the footing to be safe in soil pressure, the maximum soil pressure under working load shall be less than the
allowable soil bearing capacity. The maximum soil bearing pressure under the footing considering 1m strip is:

where:

P= 62.69kN
A= (1×1.5) m2
M=10.88 kNm
b= 1m
d=1.5m

Substituting the values above will give us:

qmax= 70.81kPa < qall=100 kPa, hence, oK!

Solving for Ultimate bearing pressure:

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where:
P= 1.6x 6.75 + 1.4×8.44 +1.4×11.25 +1.6x 22.5 +1.6×6.25 +1.6×7.5= 96.37kN
A= (1×1.5) m2
M=17.40kNm
b= 1m
d=1.5m

 Substituting the values above will give us:

qumax= 110.65kN
qumin= 17.85kN

7. Check the Required Length of the Base

If qumin is in tension check the required length otherwise ignore if it is in compression. Since our qumin is tension
(+), the value of L must be computed as follows:

READ ALSO:   The Sequence of Actual Construction

Figure A.5-Pressure Diagram under Tension

From Figure A.5:

Solve for Eccentricity:

e=M/P = 0.181

  

where:

a=length of pressure
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qe= qumax
b=1 meter strip

a= 1.74m

L= 2(e+a/3) = 1.52 say 1.6m

8. Check the Adequacy of Footing Thickness for Wide Beam Shear

Fig A.6-Pressure Diagram under Compression

8.1 When qumin is in Compression

 Solving for y by similar triangle: referring to Figure A.6 above

y/1.044      = (112.24-19.44)/1.5;        y = 64.59 kPa

qc= 19.44 + 64.59 = 84.03 kPa

L’= (1.5m-1.044m) = 0.456m

B= 1m strip
qumax=112.24kPa

Vu= 44.75kN

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 8.2 When qumin is in Tension

qc=y

 Solving for y by similar triangle: (referring to Figure A.6 above, L=a=1.75)

y/1.244= 112.24/1.75;         y = 79.79 kPa

 qc=79.79kPa

 Vu= 1/2 (qc + qumax) L’b

L’= (1.6m-1.244m) = 0.356m

B= 1m strip
qumax=112.24 kPa

 Vu=34.18kN

 Hence, use:  Vu=44.75kN

 Vallow= фVc

Vc = 0.17√fc’bwd

where:

ф=0.75
bw=1000mm
d= 250mm-75mm-6mm = 169mm

Vc = 0.17√fc’bwd = 162.52kN

Vallow= 121.89kN

 Since Vu < Vallow, hence SAFE in Shear!

9. Check the Wall Thickness for Flexure

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Figure A.7-Pressure Diagram for Flexure Check

9.1 When qumin is in Compression

Solving for y by similar triangle:(referring to Figure A.7 above)

y/0.875      = (112.24-19.44)/1.5;        y = 54.13 kPa

 qc= 19.44 + 54.13 = 73.57 kPa

 Mu= (73.57×0.625) x (0.625/2) + (38.67×0.625) (1/2) x (2/3) (0.625) → (area of trapezoid x lever arm)

Mu=19.40 kNm

9.2 When qumin is in Tension

qc= qumin + y

Solving for y by similar triangle: (referring to Figure A.7 above. L=a=1.75)

y/1.075    = 112.24/1.75;         y = 68.95 kPa

qc=19.44 + 68.95= 88.39 kPa

 Mu = (88.39×0.75) x (0.75/2) + (23.85×0.75) (1/2) x (2/3) (0.75) → (area of trapezoid x lever arm)

 Mu= 19.40kNm

 Hence, use Mu=29.33kNm

Mu =φ fc’ bd2ω (1- 0.59 ω)

29.33×106 = 0.90 x 32 x 1000 x 1692 ω (1-0.59 ω)

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ω = 0.0364

ρ = ω fc/fy= 0.002532

As= ρbd = 0.002532x1000x169 = 428mm2

Asmin= ρminbt = 0.002 x 1000 x 250 = 500mm2

Required Vertical Bar: Try T10-200; As act= 392mm2 x 2 sides = 785.4mm2

Required Horizontal Bar: Try T10-250; As act= 392mm2 x 2 sides= 628.32mm2

 10. Reinforcement Details of Retaining Wall

The presented calculations above are actually too tiring to perform manually especially if you are doing a trial
and error design. Thanks to structural design soft wares and spreadsheets, available nowadays, our design
life will be easier.

Our team developed a user-friendly spreadsheet for the design of cantilever retaining wall based on the
above calculation. Grab your copy here!

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