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DESIGN OF RETAINING WALL Tarikul Islam 1

RETAINING WALL:
Wall used to hold back masses of earth or other loose materials
A. Types (Commonly used)
• Gravity wall
• Cantilever wall
• Counterfort wall
B. Components of Cantilever wall
1. Arm or Stem
2. Base
a) Heel
b) Toe
3. Key
C. Lateral pressure on account of earth
1.Active earth pressure
2. Passive earth pressure
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D. Earth pressure coefficients (Rankine’s Theory)

𝐶 = (Active earth pressure coefficient)
𝜑= angle of internal friction
𝐶 = (Passive earth pressure coefficient)

E. Earth pressure at different level

1. active earth pressure = 𝐶 𝛾 ℎ
2. passive earth pressure =𝐶 𝛾 ℎ
𝛾 = Unit weight of backfill soil
h = height of backfill
F. Effects of surcharge
Equivalent height for surcharge
ℎ = Where, S = intensity of surcharge

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G. External stability of the wall

1. safety against overturning
> 2 where, 𝑀 =Resisting moment
𝑀 = Overturning moments
2. safety against sliding
= > 1.5 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝑆 = sliding resistance =f.V=𝜇V
V = Total vertical force
f = 𝜇 = the coefficient of friction between concrete and supporting soil
H = Total horizontal force
3. Safety against underpressure
The toe pressure shall be less than permissible value 𝑞 and 𝑞 shall be calculated using the
given relation:
𝑞 = 1± [𝑓 = ± = ± = ± ] and 1 × 𝑏 = 𝐴
× ×

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G. Drainage
Water accumulated behind the wall within backfill soil shall be prevented by providing weep
holes
H. Estimating size of cantilever retaining wall

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DESIGN OF RETAINING WALL Tarikul Islam 5

J. Forces Acting over cantilever retaining wall

H1

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Calculation of underpressure
𝑃 𝑀𝑐 𝑃 𝑃𝑒𝑐
𝑓= ± = ±
𝐴 𝐼 𝐴 𝐼
Considering 1’ length of retaining wall of width b
𝑞 = ±
× × ×

= (1 ± )
For no tension V must pass through the middle third of the width b (i.e., V must pass through
the kern zone. Kern of a section
l/6
b/6 l
b/6 l/6

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DESIGN OF RETAINING WALL Tarikul Islam 7

Problem: Retaining wall shown in figure-1 has to resist a vertical surcharge of 330 psf, in
addition to backfill soil. Backfill soil is medium sand of unit weight 𝛾 = 110 𝑝𝑐𝑓. Angle of
internal friction is φ = 32°, Allowable bearing capacity, 𝑞 = 4𝑘𝑠𝑓. Design the retaining wall
both by W.S.D and U.S.D methods if 𝑓 = 3000 𝑝𝑠𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑓 = 60000 𝑝𝑠𝑖. Friction coefficient in
between concrete and soil, f=0.55.
Solution:
Equivalent height on account of surcharge

ℎ = = = 3ft

°
𝐶 = = = 0.307
°

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Considering 1’ width of the wall

Pressure at top =𝐶 𝛾 ℎ = 0.307 × 110 × 3 = 101.31𝑝𝑠𝑓
Pressure at bottom =𝐶 𝛾 ℎ = 0.307 × 110 × 22
330 psf
= 742.94𝑝𝑠𝑓 12”
A. Check for stability of Wall 101.31
Overturning Moment 𝑀
H (lbs) Arm M (lb-ft)
(ft) 22’

H1 1 8172.34 22/3 59930.50 2’ 8’ H1

× 742.94 × 22 4’
2
H2 101.31 × 22 2228.82 22/2 24517.00 2’
742.94
H = 10401.16 lbs 𝑀 = 84447.50 lb-ft O
14’

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Resisting Moment 𝑀
330 psf
Arm M 12”
V (lbs)
(ft) (lb-ft)
101.31
W1 14 × 2 × 150 4200 7 29400
1
W2 × 1 × 20 × 150 1500 4.67 7005
2 22’
W3 1 × 20 × 150 3000 5.5 16500
2’
W4 8 × 20 × 110 17600 10 176000 4’ 8’ H1

W5 8 × 3 × 110 2640 10 26400

2’
V = 28940 lbs 𝑀 = 255305 lb-ft
742.94
O
14’

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Factor of Safety against overturning = = = 3 > 2 𝑂𝑘

.

. ×
Factor of Safety against Sliding = = = = 1.53 > 1.5 𝑂𝑘
.

Under-pressure or bearing pressure :

. B/3 B/3 = 4.67’
Resultant of forces, ˜𝑥 = = = 5.9 B/3

Resultant of the force passes through the middle third B =14’

Eccentricity e = − 𝑥 = 7 − 5.9 = 1.1 < = = 2.33

× .
𝑞= 1± = (1 ± )
×

𝑞 = 3041.65 𝑝𝑠𝑓 < 4𝑘𝑠𝑓 𝑂𝐾 and 𝑞 = 1092.63 𝑝𝑠𝑓

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DESIGN OF RETAINING WALL Tarikul Islam 11

B. Structural Design of each components by U.S.D. Method

(a)Stem
Check for shear: Shear is critical at a distance d from the top of footing. For simplicity check
at the bottom of stem
d= 24 − 2.5 = 21.5“
𝑉 = 𝐻 + 𝐻 = 10.8 + 3.24 = 14𝐾
.
𝑉 = 2 𝑓 𝑏𝑑 = 0.75 2 3000 × 12 ×
= 21.2 𝐾
Rebar at Tension Face:
Moment at the face of the footing
Mu = 10.8 × + 3.24 × = 104.4
. ×
𝐴 = = . = 1.137 (controls)
. ( ) . × ( . )
. ×
a= = = 2.22 in
. . × ×
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𝐴 = = × 12 × 21.5 = 0.86
Provide  20 @ 0.48 × = 5"c/c
.
(b) Heel
Total Downward load= 0.528 + 3.52 + 0.36 = 4.408

Muf = 4.408 × = 141.0

d= 24 − 2.5 = 21.5“
×
𝐴 = = . = 1.57 (controls)
. ( ) . × ( . )
. ×
a= = = 3.08 in
. . × ×

𝐴 = 0.86
Provide  25 @ 5.8=5.5" c/c at top

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(c) Toe
charge/ft = = 139.21
d= 24 − 3 − .5 = 20.5“ 𝑖𝑓 1"∅ 𝑏𝑎𝑟 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑
. .
Vu at d from the face = 1.6 ( × 2.292) −
0.9 0.3 × 2.292 = 9.95 𝐾
.
𝑉 = 2 𝑓 𝑏𝑑 = 0.75 2 3000 × 12 ×
= 20.21 𝐾 > 9.95 𝐾 OK
. .
Muf = 1.6( × 4 × × 4 + 2.485 × 4 × )
−0.9(0.3 × ) = 34.401
2485
𝑀 34.4 × 12
𝑖𝑛
𝐴 = 𝑎 = = 0.379
0.9𝑓 (𝑑 − 2) 0.9 × 60(20.5 − 0.74) 𝑓𝑡
2
. ×
a= = = 0.74 in
. . × ×
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𝐴 = = × 12 × 20.5 = 0.82 (controls)

× × .
Or 𝐴 = = = 0.67
Provide  25 @11" c/c at bottom
Binder = 0.003 × 12 × = 0.432 𝑖𝑛
Provide  16 @8.61≈ 8.5" c/c at bottom and at top
Check the development length of the tension bars
Cd = 𝑑 = 56𝑑 = 56"
√

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Problem: Cantilever Retaining wall shown in figure has to resist a vertical surcharge of 300 psf,
in addition to backfill soil. Backfill soil is medium sand of unit weight 𝛾 = 100 𝑝𝑐𝑓. Angle of
internal friction is φ = 32°, Allowable bearing capacity, 𝑞 = 4𝑘𝑠𝑓. Design the heel and toe by
U.S.D methods if 𝑓 = 4500 𝑝𝑠𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑓 = 60000 𝑝𝑠𝑖. Friction coefficient in between concrete
and soil, f=0.55.
Solution:
Equivalent height on account of surcharge

ℎ = = = 3ft

°
𝐶 = = = 0.307
°

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Considering 1’ width of the wall

Pressure at top =𝐶 𝛾 ℎ = 0.307 × 100 × 3 = 92.1𝑝𝑠𝑓
Pressure at bottom =𝐶 𝛾 ℎ
= 92.1 + 0.307 × 100 × 21
= 92.1 + 644.7 𝑝𝑠𝑓
A. Check for stability of Wall
Overturning Moment 𝑀
H (lbs) Arm M (lb-ft)
(ft)
H1 1 6769.35 7 47385.45
× 644.7 × 21
2
H2 92.1 × 21 1934.1 10.5 20308.05

H = 8703.45 lbs 𝑀 = 67693.5 lb-ft

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Resisting Moment 𝑀
Arm M
V (lbs)
(ft) (lb-ft)

W1 11.5 × 2 × 150 3450 11.5/2 19837.5

1
W2 × 0.5 × 19 × 150 712.5 4.083 2907
2
W3 1 × 19 × 150 2850 4.75 13537.5

W4 6.25 × 19 × 100 11875 8.375 99453.12

W5 6.25 × 3 × 100 1875 8.375 15703.12

V = 20762.5 lbs 𝑀 =151438.24lb-ft

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Under-pressure or bearing pressure :

. .
Resultant of forces, ˜𝑥 = = = 4.033
.

Resultant of the force passes through the middle third

. .
Eccentricity e = −𝑥 = − 4.033 = 1.717 < = = 1.917′

. × .
𝑞= 1± = (1 ± )
. × .

𝑞 = 3423 𝑝𝑠𝑓 < 4000 𝑝𝑠𝑓 𝑂𝐾 and 𝑞 = 189.57 𝑝𝑠𝑓

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(b) Heel
d=24”- 3” - 0.5” = 20.5”
Total Downward load= 0.48 + 3.04 + 0.36 = 3.88
𝑉 = 3.88 × 6.25 = 24.25 𝐾
.
𝜑𝑉 = 0.75 × 2 × 4500 × 12 × = 24.75 𝐾 > 24.25 𝐾, 𝑂𝐾
.
Muf = 3.88 × = 75.78
. ×
𝐴 = = . = 0.84 (controls)
. ( ) . × ( . )
. ×
a= = = 1.1 in
. . × . ×

𝐴 = × 12 × 20.5 = 0.825

Or, 𝐴 = 0.0033 × 12 × 20.5 = 0.81

Provide  20 @ 6.85=6.5" c/c at top
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DESIGN OF RETAINING WALL Tarikul Islam 20

(c) Toe
.
charge/ft = = 281.17
.
d= 24 − 3 − .5 = 20.5“ 𝑖𝑓 1"∅ 𝑏𝑎𝑟 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑
. .
Vu at d from the face = 1.6 × 2.04
−0.9 0.3 × 2.04 = 9.685 𝐾
.
𝑉 = 2 𝑓 𝑏𝑑 = 0.75 2 4500 × 12 ×
= 24.75 𝐾 > 9.685 𝐾 OK
. .
Muf = 1.6( × 3.75 × × 3.75
. .
+2.36863 × 3.75 × ) − 0.9(0.3 × ) = 32.655
𝑀 32.655 × 12 𝑖𝑛
𝐴 = 𝑎 = = 0.358
0.9𝑓 (𝑑 − 2) 0.9 × 60(20.5 − 0.46) 𝑓𝑡
2
. ×
a= = = 0.46 in
. . × . ×
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DESIGN OF RETAINING WALL Tarikul Islam 21

𝐴 = = × 12 × 20.5 = 0.82

× × .
Or 𝐴 = = = 0.84 (controls)
Provide  20 @6.5" c/c at bottom
Binder = 0.003 × 12 × = 0.432 𝑖𝑛
Provide  16 @8.61≈ 8.5" c/c at bottom and at top

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