Reinforcement Curtailment Problem

for RC Buttress Wall

Table of contents
1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................. 1
2 STAAD ANALYSIS........................................................................................................................ 1
2.1 Geometry............................................................................................................................. 1
2.2 Loading................................................................................................................................ 2
2.3 Analysis Results.................................................................................................................. 2
2.4 Variation of Stresses along height of wall............................................................................4
2.4.1 Stresses at height = 0 ft from base slab:.......................................................................4
2.4.2 Stresses at height = 5 ft from base slab:.......................................................................5
2.4.3 Stresses at height = 10 ft from base slab:.....................................................................6
2.4.4 Stresses at height = 15 ft from base slab:.....................................................................7
2.4.5 Stresses at height = 20 ft from base slab:.....................................................................8
3 CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................ 8

1 Introduction
In the design of RC Buttress wall, the buttress wall is subjected to tensile pull
along its inclined edge. To resist this tensile force, reinforcement is provided along this
edge.
As the triangular horizontal soil pressure on the face of the wall reduces from
base of the wall to top, there has to be reduction in the tensile force too. Hence the
reinforcement can also be curtailed at a particular level where the stresses have
substantially reduced.

Typical RC Buttress Wall

2 STAAD Analysis
2.1 Geometry
RC Butress retaining wall is modeled in STAAD Pro, using plate elements.

STAAD Model of RC Buttress Wall

2.2 Loading

Loading from retained soil

2.3 Analysis Results

SY(local) Stress contour diagram for the whole retaining wall is shown in figure
below.

SY(local) Stress contour diagram

SY(local) Stress contour diagram for the individual buttress wall is shown in figure below

SY(local) Stress contour diagram for Buttress wall

2.4 Variation of Stresses along height of wall

2.4.1

Stresses at height = 0 ft from base slab:

Cross section of Buttress

SY (local) Stress values at 0 ft height

(The figures below the graph indicate the plate numbers from left to right at the section of
reference)

2.4.2

Stresses at height = 5 ft from base slab:

Cross section of Buttress

SY (local) Stress values at 5 ft height

(The figures below the graph indicate the plate numbers from left to right at the section of
reference)

2.4.3

Stresses at height = 10 ft from base slab:

Cross section of Buttress

SY (local) Stress values at 10 ft height

(The figures below the graph indicate the plate numbers from left to right at the section of
reference)

2.4.4

Stresses at height = 15 ft from base slab:

Cross section of Buttress

SY (local) Stress values at 15 ft height

(The figures below the graph indicate the plate numbers from left to right at the section of
reference)

2.4.5

Stresses at height = 20 ft from base slab:

Cross section of Buttress

SY (local) Stress values at 20 ft height

(The figures below the graph indicate the plate numbers from left to right at the section of
reference)

3 Conclusion
From the results of above example, we observe that the stresses at the levels
considered reduce as we move from base to top of the Buttress wall. Hence, the
reinforcement along the sloping edge of the buttress wall can be curtailed according to
the reduction in the stresses.