Our previous article, Retaining Wall: A Design Approach discusses the principle and concept
behind and when and where to consider a retaining wall in our design. We have learned the
different checks against the mode of failures in the retaining wall should be considered in the
design. To further understand the designed approach, here is a worked example of the design of
the retaining wall.
This example is intended to be readily calculated by hand although a lot of
structural spreadsheets and software such as Prokon are available. The purpose of this article is
for the reader to fully understand the principle behind it.
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.
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)
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: How to Write a Construction Method Statement from Scratch
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:
o Pa1=1/2 ɣkaH2 = 11.88kN
o Pa2=1/2 ɣHw2= 5kN
o Pa3=ωkah= 3.17 kN
o 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,
o Weight due to soil: W1= 18kN/m3 x 0.6m x 0.625m x 1.0m = 6.75kN
o Weight due to footing: W2= 0.9 x 25kN/m3 x 0.25m x 1.5m x 1.0m = 8.44kN
o Weight due to wall: W3= 0.9 x 25kN/m3 x 0.25m x 2.0m x 1.0m = 11.25kN
o Weight due to soil: W4= 18kN/m3 x 0.625m x 2.0m x 1.0m = 22.5kN
o Weight due to water: W5= 10kN/m3 x 0.625m x 1.0m x 1.0m = 6.25kN
o Weight due to surcharge: Ws= 12kN/m2 x 0.625m x 1.0m = 7.5kN
o Total Weight, WT = 62.69kN
3.1 Check for Overturning Moment:
To satisfy the Overturning Moment Stability, the following equation should follow:
where:
o RM: Righting Moment due to the weight of the retaining wall
o 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) = 57.91 kNm
• OM= Pa1 (0.67) +Pa2 (0.33) +Pa3 (0.4) = 10.88kNm
READ ALSO: Choosing the Suitable Shoring or Earth Retaining Systems for your Project
RM/OM = 5.32 > 2.0, hence SAFE in Overturning Moment!
3.2 Check for Sliding
To satisfy the stability against sliding, the following equation should govern:
where:
o RF: Resisting Force
o 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, V u 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!
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.
