Retaining Walls http://osp.mans.edu.eg/sfoundation/ret.

htm

Retaining walls
Types of Retaining walls

Retaining walls can be divided into gravity walls,

1)Gravity walls:

gravity walls can be classified to :

a) Massive walls made of plain concrete or, bricks

b) Reinforced concrete walls

c) Crib walls made of wood or precast concrete

d) Gabion walls

(I)Wall stability

(I a) Rotational sliding

We have to make sure that wall is stable against rotational sliding . Factor of safety should be
greater than 1.5 theory if slope stability can be used to evaluate wall stability (Figure 1)

Figure 1
(I b) Wall overturning

Factor of safety for wall overturning should be greater than 2.0 this factor of safety can be
determined by (Figure 2)

1 of 6 6/2/2012 4:28 AM
Retaining Walls http://osp.mans.edu.eg/sfoundation/ret.htm

(I c) Wall sliding

Wall sliding a long plane AA \ and stem against plane BB \ should be checked (Figure 2)

Figure 2

This factor of safety should not be less than 2.0 .

Initial Dimensions of Walls

Figure 3 shows the initial dimensions of the wall , where the designer can us e it as a start point
for wall design . In general the base can be about (1/2 2/3)h , base thickness (1/6 1/8)h and
foundation depth should be greater than 1m.

2 of 6 6/2/2012 4:28 AM
Retaining Walls http://osp.mans.edu.eg/sfoundation/ret.htm

Figure 3

Structural Design

Figure 4 shows the developed stresses at critical sections . These stresses should be less than
allowable values.

Figure 4

(I) Reinforced Concrete Retaining Walls

This type of wall can be classified as cantilever retaining walls, counter forts walls, and buttresses
walls . Figure 5 and Figure 6

shows these types of walls.

3 of 6 6/2/2012 4:28 AM
Retaining Walls http://osp.mans.edu.eg/sfoundation/ret.htm

Figure 5

Figure 6

(II a) Initial Dimensions of Walls

Figures 7and Figure 8 show the initial dimension of walls in which user can use it as an initial
dimension of walls . Designer should check stability and safety of this wall according to design
basics.

In general , base width is about (1/2 2/3)h ,and base thickness (h/12)

Figure 7

4 of 6 6/2/2012 4:28 AM
Retaining Walls http://osp.mans.edu.eg/sfoundation/ret.htm

Figure 8

(II b) Critical Sections

Figure 9 shows the different critical section of cantilever walls. For counter fort walls , the stem
should be designed as a slab supported from three sides and free from the fourth end . Tie
should be designed in the same way we design stem.(Figures 10)

Figure 9

5 of 6 6/2/2012 4:28 AM
Retaining Walls http://osp.mans.edu.eg/sfoundation/ret.htm

Figure 10

6 of 6 6/2/2012 4:28 AM