Appendix RW

Retaining Wall Design

Bridge Design Manual - 2002
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APPENDIX RW - DESIGN OF R.C. CANTILEVER RETAINING WALL

Project:

Consultant:

Louis Berger in association with SABA Engineering plc

Designed by : Henok Aberra ( Structural Engineer)

Checked by : Lennart Rahm (Bridge Engineer)
Case: Statical calculation

Date of design :- 29/09/98

General Notes
Specification used : ERA Bridge Design Manual-2002
Back fill material is assumed level and traffic surcharge load is incorporated.

W9

W8
W1
H [height of wall]

W2
W4
W6
W3

W7

W5

Input Dimensions
Recommended value
Height of wall, H =
Stem top thickness,T1 =
Stem bottom thickness,T2 =
Depth of heel cantilever,T5 =
Tappering slope,y1 =
End depth of heel cantilever,T3 =
End depth of toe cantilever,T4 =
Length of heel cantilever,L1 =
Length of toe cantilever,L2 =
Length of footing, L =
Height of fill, H2 =
Free board of wall height on top =

5.00
0.25
0.40
0.40
0.10
0.21
0.30
1.95
1.00
3.35
4.80
0.00

m
m
m
m
m
m
m
m
m
m
m

1.01 m
3.50 m

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Retaining Wall Design
Bridge Design Manual - 2002
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Material Properties
Yield stength of reiforcemement steel, fy for f <=20 =
Yield stength of reiforcemement steel, fy for f >20 =
Cylinderical compressive strength at 28 days, fc' =

350.0 Mpa
400.0 Mpa
20.0 Mpa

Unit weight of concrete,gc =

Unit weight of soil,gs =
Active earth pressure coef. Ka =
ff =
fT =
fT*tan ff=
Coef. of friction b/n concrete and foundation material =
Foundation material (Soil, Rock)=

24.00
19.22
0.38
38 Deg.
0.9
0.70
0.70
soil

Bearing resistance of the foundation material =

qsurcharge =

Soil type
Clay
Sand
Gravel

fT

ff

0.85
0.8
0.9

22
25
38

250.00 kN/m2
2
16.24 kNm

Load Factors
Active Horizontal earth pressure =
Vertical earth pressure =
Dead load of components =

Max
1.50
1.35
1.25

Min
0.90
1.00
0.90

1.0 Dead Load

Resisting

Material
Portion
concrete
W1
"
W2
"
W3
"
W4
"
W5
"
W6
"
W7
Concrete Total
soil
soil

W8
W9
Surcharge
Soil Total

Weight
[kN/m]
27.6
8.28
3.84
1.20
7.20
4.56
9.59
62.28
176.06
6.63
34.11
216.79

Centroidal moment
distance
(Weight
from toe X centroidal
distance)
[m]
1.13
31.05
1.30
10.76
1.2
4.61
0.67
0.80
0.50
3.60
2.05
9.35
2.375
22.79
82.96
2.375
1.35
2.3

418.14
8.95
78.44
505.53

2.0 Lateral Pressure

The surcharge load from highway loading may be taken as given in Table 3-25
Wall Height[m]
<=1.50
3.0
6.0
>=9.0

heq [m]
1.70
1.20
0.76
0.61

A chart can be prepared for the interpolation

between heights of 1.5 and 9.0 m.

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Appendix RW
Retaining Wall Design
Bridge Design Manual - 2002
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Highway Surcharge load

y = -0.0034x3 + 0.077x2 - 0.6266x + 2.478

heq [m]

2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
0.00

2.00

4.00
6.00
Wall height [m]

8.00

heq [m]

10.00

Wall Height[m]
1.5
3.0
6.0
9

heq [m]
1.70
1.20
0.76
0.61

Polynomial (heq [m])

Let P1 & P2 be the earth pressure from the surcharge and linearly varyng load.

P1
P2

sum

Force
30.86
91.30
122.15

Arm from
Driving
foundation Moment
level
about Toe
2.5
77.14
1.7
152.16
229.30

3.0 Bearing pressure beneath footing

The bearing pressure beneath footing is calculated by the factored loads. According to Tables 3-2 & 3-3,
the dead load of the wall and the surcharge loads are factored by the minimum or maximun value; whereas, the lateral
pressure is factored by the maximum value.

a ) With min. factors for dead and surcharge load and max. factor for lateral pressure
The summation of moment about toe, Msum =
The eccentricity e , is therefore,
e =L/2-Msum/V =

0.809 m

I ) When the foundation material is rock

Case -1

236.24 kNm

e<L/4, OK !!

e>L/6, Look at Case -2

When e<=L/6
q heel =

-36.59 kN/m2

OK !!

q toe =

199.48 kN/m2

OK !!
-36.59
199.48

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Retaining Wall Design
Bridge Design Manual - 2002
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Case -2

When L/6<e<=3/8*L

qmax =2V/[3(L/2-e)] =
L1 =3[L/2-e] =

210.08 kN/m2
2.598 m

210.08
L1 =

2.598 m

II ) When the foundation material is soil

qmax*Le =V and qmax*Le*(L-Le/2) =V(L/2+e)
From the above two eq's qmax and Le can be calculated.
Le =V/qmax =

1.732 m
V

qmax =V(L/2+e)/[Le(L-Le/2)] =

157.56 kN/m2
qmax =

157.6 kN/m2

Le = 1.732 m

b ) With max. factors for dead and surcharge load and max. factor for lateral pressure
The summation of moment about toe, Msum =
The eccentricity e , is therefore,
e =L/2-Msum/V =

0.481 m

I ) When the foundation material is rock

Case -1

442.22 kNm

e<L/4, OK !!

e<=L/6, Look at Case -1

When e<=L/6
q heel =

15.22 kN/m2

OK !!

q toe =

205.98 kN/m2

OK !!
15.22
205.98

Case -2

When L/6<e<=L/4

qmax =2V/[3(L/2-e)] =
L1 =3[L/2-e] =

206.96 kN/m2
3.581 m

206.96
L1 =

3.581 m

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Appendix RW
Retaining Wall Design
Bridge Design Manual - 2002
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II ) When the foundation material is soil

qmax*Le =V and qmax*Le*(L-Le/2) =V(L/2+e)
From the above two eq's qmax and Le can be calculated.
Le =V/qmax =

2.387 m
qmax =

155.2 kN/m2

qmax =V(L/2+e)/[Le(L-Le/2)] =

155.22 kN/m

Le = 2.387 m
4.0 Stability
4.1 Stability against overturning
For foundation on soil, the location of the resultant of the reaction forces shall be within the middle half of the base.
For foundation on rock, the location of the resultant of the reaction forces shall be within the middle three-fourth
of the base. This condition is already checked above.
4.2 Stability against sliding
Driving force =
Resisting force =

122.15 kN
152.44 kN

Resisting force > Driving force, OK !!

5. Design of components
5.1 Design of stem
5.1.1 Design for Flexure
The moment at the base of the stem is calculated as;
Net height of fill on stem =

4.60 m

Msurcharge =
Mvaryng =
Msum =

65.29 kNm/m
118.48 "
183.78 "

The factored moment for design is therefore,

Mfact. =

275.67 kNm/m

The cracking moment given by :

Ig =bh3/12 =
5.3E+09 mm4
yt=
200 mm
fr =
2.817 MPa
The amount of reinforcement shall be adequate to develop a factored flexural resistance at least equal to the
lesser of :
- 1.2 times the cracking strength determined on the basis of elastic stress distribution and the
modulus of rupture, fr, of the concrete.
- 1.33 times the factored moment required by the applicable strength load combinations.
Besides the area of reinforcement shall not be less than the minimum shrinkage and temprature reinforcement.
Since bar S2 is cut at some point up the spacing at bottom shall not be greater than half the maximum spacing.
Mcr =frIg/yt =

75.13 KNm/m

Mu =

275.67 KNm/m

As = Mu/ffy(d-a/2)
=

2460.47 mm

a = Asfy/(.85fc'b)
=
57.89 mm

use

20

S1

c/c

Dprov. =
beff =

400 mm
1000 mm

fy =
fc' =
f=
fbar =
cover =
dprov =
b1 =

400
20
0.9
20
50
340
0.85

MPa
MPa
mm
mm
mm

120 mm

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Bridge Design Manual - 2002
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As prov. =

2618 mm

Smax =

r max. = 0.75rb =0.75(0.85b1fc'/fy*(599.843/(599.843+fy)))=

r prov. = As/bd =

450 mm
0.0163

0.0077 OK !!

Half bar cut off location

As' =As/2 =

1308.30 mm

The distance from top to the point where half of the reinforcement is not required (i.e "y") can be found by trial and error
to equalize the moment by the factored lateral pressure and the moment that can be resisted by half of the bar.

My = factor*(q(y-y*)2/2+kags(y-y*)3/6) ---My = fAs'fy(d-As'fy/1.7fc'b)-----------------

(1)
(2)

Where d = y/(H-T5)*(T2-T1)+T1-cover-f/2
y* is the free board given on top

y
2.65

My
of eq (1)
119.52

My
of eq (2)
123

Hint : It is preferable if My of eq (2) is slightly

greater than My of eq (1).

Extension length reqd beyond the point at which it is no longer required is given by ;
lext reqd = max( 15*dia of bar,deff)
=
340 mm
Therefore, the bar can be cut at the following distance from top of wall.
Bar cut off point from top of wall =

2.31 m

5.1.2 Check for Wide beam Shear

Usually, since T2 is not small as compared to the stem height, we take the shear force
at the bottom of the wall.
Vhoriz.factored =
183.23 kN/m
Allowable shear stress is given by : vc = 0.166sqrt(fc')
f shear =
=
0.742 Mpa
The maximum allowable factored shear force that can be resisted by the concrete section is:
227.17 kN/m
> Vhoriz, OK !
Vall =f*vc*b*d =

0.9

5.2 Design of toe cantilever

5.2.1 Design for Flexure

a ) With min. factors for dead and surcharge load and max. factor for lateral pressure
a
The factored pressure from underneath minus weight of cantilever is,
qtoe =

150.36 kN/m2

q a-a =

2
147.96 kN/m

Wc

The factored moment for design is therefore,

Mfact.a-a =

74.78 kNm/m
a

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Retaining Wall Design
Bridge Design Manual - 2002
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b ) With max. factors for dead and surcharge load and max. factor for lateral pressure
The factored pressure from underneath minus weight of cantilever is,
qtoe =
q a-a =
Mfact.a-a =

148.02 kN/m2
2
145.62 kN/m
73.61 kNm/m

Therefore, the maximum moment at section a-a for design is,

Mfact.a-a (max)=

74.78 kNm/m

The cracking moment given by Eq.(12.39) as follows:

4
Ig =bh3/12 =
5.3E+09 mm
yt=
200 mm
fr =
2.817 MPa
The amount of reinforcement shall be adequate to develop a factored flexural resistance at least equal to the
lesser of :
- 1.2 times the cracking strength determined on the basis of elastic stress distribution and the
modulus of rupture, fr, of the concrete.
- 1.33 times the factored moment required by the applicable strength load combinations.
Besides the area of reinforcement shall not be less than the minimum shrinkage and temprature reinforcement.
Since bar T2 is cut at some point up the spacing at bottom shall not be greater than half the maximum spacing.

Mcr =frIg/yt =

75.13 KNm/m

Mu =

90.16 KNm/m

As = Mu/ffy(d-a/2)
=

924.83 mm

a = Asfy/(.85fc'b)
=
19.04 mm

use

12
As prov. =

T1

c/c

943 mm2

400 mm
1000 mm

fy =
fc' =
f=
fbar =
cover =
dprov =
b1 =

350
20
0.9
12
75
319
0.85

MPa
MPa
mm
mm
mm

120 mm
Smax =

r max. = 0.75rb =0.75(0.85b1fc'/fy*(599.843/(599.843+fy)))=

r prov. = As/bd =

Dprov. =
beff =

450 mm
0.0196

0.0030 OK !!

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Appendix RW
Retaining Wall Design
Bridge Design Manual - 2002
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5.2.2 Check for Wide beam Shear

a ) With min. factors for dead and surcharge load and max. factor for lateral pressure
b
qtoe =
q b-b =
V factored b-b=

150.36 kN/m2
2
157.56 kN/m

104.84 kN/m

b ) With max. factors for dead and surcharge load and max. factor for lateral pressure
qtoe =
q b-b =

148.02 kN/m
2
155.22 kN/m

V factored b-b=

103.26 kN/m

V factored b-b(max) =

104.84 kN/m

f shear =
Allowable shear stress is given by : vc = 0.166sqrt(fc')
=
0.742 Mpa
The maximum allowable factored shear force that can be resisted by the concrete section is:
213.14 kN/m
> Vhoriz, OK !
Vall =f*vc*b*d =

0.9

5.3 Design of heel cantilever

5.3.1 Design for Flexure

b
a
wt. of soil + Surcharge

a ) With min. factors for dead and surcharge load

and max. factor for lateral pressure
Wc

Case -1 When the foundation material is rock

q a-a =

2
96.85 kN/m

2
q end =
0.00 kN/m
b
a
The length of pressure application Lh is,
Lh =
1.20 m
The average pressure by the weight of soil, surcharge and heel cantilever is given as,
2
qsoil+surcharge+cantilever=
113.06 kN/m
b
a
wt. of soil + Surcharge
Case -2 When the foundation material is soil

qmax =
157.56 kN/m2
Lh =
0.33 m
Assume counter clock-wise moment as positive.
Ma-a =

206.29 kNm/m

Wc

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Retaining Wall Design
Bridge Design Manual - 2002
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b ) With max. factors for dead and surcharge load and max. factor for lateral pressure
Case -1 When the foundation material is rock
2
126.26 kN/m

q a-a =

2
q end =
15.22 kN/m
The length of pressure application Lh is,
1.95 m
Lh =
The average pressure by the weight of soil, surcharge and heel cantilever is given as,
2
qsoil+surcharge+cantilever=
152.89 kN/m

Case -2 When the foundation material is soil

qmax =
155.22 kN/m2
Lh =
0.99 m
Assume counter clock-wise moment as positive.
Ma-a =

215.07 kNm/m

Therefore, the maximum moment is taken for design.

Mfact.a-a (max) =
215.07 kNm/m
The craking moment given by eq.(8.2) as follows:
Mcr =frIg/yt =

75.13 KNm/m

Ig =bh3/12 =
yt=
fr =

5.3E+09 mm4
200 mm
2.817 MPa

The amount of reinforcement shall be adequate to develop a factored flexural resistance at least equal to the
lesser of :
- 1.2 times the cracking strength determined on the basis of elastic stress distribution and the
modulus of rupture, fr, of the concrete.
- 1.33 times the factored moment required by the applicable strength load combinations.
Mu =

As = Mu/ffy(d-a/2)
=

1869.26 mm

a = Asfy/(.85fc'b)
=
43.98 mm

215.07 KNm/m
Dprov. =
beff =

400 mm
1000 mm

fy =
fc' =
f=
fbar =
cover =
dprov =
b1 =

400
20
0.9
20
50
340
0.85

MPa
MPa
mm
mm
mm

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Appendix RW
Retaining Wall Design
Bridge Design Manual - 2002
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use

20

H1

c/c

1964 mm2

As prov. =

160 mm
Smax =

r max. = 0.75rb =0.75(0.85b1fc'/fy*(599.843/(599.843+fy)))=

r prov. = As/bd =

450 mm
0.0163

0.0058 OK !!

5.3.2 Check for Wide beam Shear

a ) With min. factors for dead and surcharge load and max. factor for lateral pressure
q end =

2
157.56 kN/m

q b-b =

2
0.00 kN/m

Lh =

0.00 kN/m

V factored b-b=

220.47 kN/m

b ) With max. factors for dead and surcharge load and max. factor for lateral pressure
q end =

2
155.22 kN/m

q b-b =

2
155.22 kN/m

Lh =

0.65 kN/m

V factored b-b=

197.70 kN/m

Therefore, the maximum shear at section b-b for design is,

Vfactored =
220.47 kN/m
f shear =
Allowable shear stress is given by : vc = 0.166sqrt(fc')
=
0.742 Mpa
The maximum allowable factored shear force that can be resisted by the concrete section is:
227.17 kN/m
> Vhoriz, OK !
Vall =f*vc*b*d =

0.9

5.4 Shrinkage and temprature reinforcement

According to section 5.10.8, the area of reinforcement for walls and footings in each direction shall not be less than :
As = 0.0015Ag
>=
Use

fbar =

10 mm

487.5 mm2
f

10

c/c

320

mm

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Appendix RW
Retaining Wall Design
Bridge Design Manual - 2002
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H [height of wall]

Bar Schedule
300
Bar S1
400

400

10

S1*

c/c

240 mm

300
L=

1400 mm

S1

c/c

240 mm

S2

c/c

240 mm

4753
f
L=

20
5153 mm

400
Bar S2
f
2616

L=

20
3016 mm

400

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Appendix RW
Retaining Wall Design
Bridge Design Manual - 2002
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Bar S3

f
4850

L=

10

S3

c/c

320 mm

c/c

240 mm

c/c

240 mm

5000 mm

150
Bar T1
175
3250
f
L=

12

T1

3425 mm

Bar T2
175
1550
f
L=

12

T2

1725 mm

Bar H1
2262
300
80
f
L=

20

T1

c/c

160 mm

2642 mm

Bar Schedule and quantities per linear meter

Bar
S1
S1*
S2
S3
H1
T1
T2
Distri.

Size
[mm]
20
10
20
10
20
12
12
10

Number/m
4.17
4.17
4.17
3.13
6.25
4.17
4.17
54

Length
[mm]
5153
1400
3016
5000
2642
3425
1725
1000*

Weight
[kg]
52.96
3.60
31.00
9.64
40.73
12.67
6.38
33.30

Grade 20 Concrete--------------------2.59 m3
Reinforcement Steel-------------------190.27 kg
* indicates that the actual length is the length of the wall minus cover
The fraction number of bar is due to per linear assumption.

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