DESIGN OF EARTH RETAINING STRUCTURES

Retaining walls are structures constructed to resist lateral pressures from earth, water and other

materials. The retaining materials are usually termed as backfill. The main function of retaining

walls is to stabilize hillsides and control erosion. The lateral loads depends on the nature of the

backfill in contact with the structure and the deformation that occur. The backfill is an essential

part of a retaining structure, and the properties and characteristics of the backfill are just as

important as the properties of the concrete in the structure proper. A retaining structure must

support its backfill without detrimental lateral movement, and the surface of the backfill must not

settle unduely.

Analysis and Design of Retaining Walls

The stages involved in the analysis and design of retaining walls are:

(i) Calculation of the lateral earth pressures.

(ii) Assumption of the width of the geometric dimensions of the retaining wall and

determination of the factors of safety against sliding forward and overturning.

(iii) Calculation of the base pressure and comparing this with the permissible bearing

pressure.

(iv) Calculation of the bending moment on the retaining wall

(v) Calculation of the bending moments and shearing forces on the base

(vi) Determination of the thickness and reinforcement of the wall required to provide

resistance to the bending moments and shearing forces in the above.

1
 Forces and Pressures on the Retaining Wall

These forces and pressures are calculated as shown below

The active earth pressure, �� = �� ��

Where Ka is the coefficient of the active earth pressure which is calculated as

1 − sin ∅
�� =
1 + sin ∅

Earth force, �� = 0.5�� �

Lateral force due to surcharge, �� = �� ��

Total Lateral force = �� + ��

Vertical forces are calculated by considering the wall and earth weights

µ . ����� �������� ������

Factor of safety against sliding = >= 1.6
����� ������� �����

��������� ������ 1135.95

Factor of safety against overturning = ����������� ������
=
199.992
>= 2.00

Base Pressure

2
 � 6�
�=
�
±
�2
<= Maximum allowable bearing pressure

M = moment about the base centre line

Example

The retaining wall shown below retains an earth fill of 6m in height. The angle of internal
resistance of soil is 35° and a value of coefficient of friction µ = 0.5. The unit weight and
the allowable soil bearing pressure are 18kN/m3 and 120kN/m2 respectively.

(a) Analyse for the stability of the retaining wall

(b) Design the wall using grade 25 concrete and grade 410 reinforcement.

Solution

Allowable soil bearing pressure = 120kN/m2

Unit weight of the soil =18kN/m3
Coefficient of friction, µ = 0.5
Surcharge load, q = 5kN/m2
(a) Stability Analysis
1−sin 35
The active earth pressure, �� = �� �� = 1+sin 35 �18�6 = 29.267 kN/m2

Earth force, �� = 0.5�� � = 0.5�29.267�6 = 87.80��

Surcharge, �� = �� �� = 0.271�5�6 = 8.13��

3
Total Lateral force = �� + �� = 87.80 + 8.13 = 95.931��
Vertical forces
���� = ���� � ���� ����ℎ� = 0.4�5.5�24 = 52.80��
���� = 0.5�4.5�24 = 54.00��
����ℎ = 3.1�5.5�18 = 306.90��
����ℎ���� = 3.1�5 = 15.5 ��
Total, W = 429.20kN
��������� ����� (�. ����� �������� �����) 0.5�429.20
Factor of safety against sliding = =
95.931
= 2.24 >
������� ����� (����� ������� �����)
1.6 ������������
Overturning moments

Earth =87.801� 6 3 = 175.602���

Surcharge =8.13� 6 2 = 24.390���

Total 199.992kNm

Resisting moments: Taking moment about the toe

Wall = 52.80�1.2 = 63.36���
Base = 54�2.25 = 121.50���

Earth = 306.90�2.95 = 905.36���

Surcharge = 15.5�2.95 = 45.73���

Total 1135.95kNm
��������� ������ 1135.95
Factor of safety against overturning = = = 5.68 >
����������� ������ 199.992
2.00 ������������
Base Pressure
� 6�
�=
�
±
�2
M = moment about the base centre line

� = 87.801�2 + 8.13�3 + 52.80 2.25 − 1.20 − 306.90� 2.95 − 2.25

− 15.5� 2.95 − 2.25 = 255.432 − 224.85 = 30.582���
429.20 6�30.582
�= ± = 95.38 ± 9.06
4.5 4.52

4
�1 = 95.38 + 9.06 = 104.41kN/m2
�2 = 95.38 − 9.06 = 85.94kN/m2
The two base pressures are lower than the allowable soil bearing pressure of 120kN/m2. The
section is therefore satisfactory.

(b) Design of the Retaining Wall

Bending reinforcement for wall: moment of the lateral forces

Horizontal moment = 87.8� 0.25 + 5.5 3 + 8.13� 0.25 + 5.5 2 = 207.31���

= 207.31�1.6 (���) = 331.69���

Effective depth, � = 400 − 50 − 10 = 340��

� 331.69�106
�= = = 0.115
�����2 25�1000�3402

� = 340 0.5 + (0.25 − 0.115 0.9) = 288.87��

331.69�106
�� = = 2947.97��2
0.95�410�288.87

Provide Y25@150mm c/c (As =3270mm2)

Base: Designed using bearing pressure at ultimate limit state

� = 87.801�2�1.6 + 8.13�3�1.6 + 52.80 2.25 − 1.20 �1.0 − 306.90� 2.95 − 2.25 �1.0
− 15.5� 2.95 − 2.25)�1.0 = 149.74���

429.20 6�149.74
�= ± = 95.38 ± 44.37
4.5 4.52

�1 = 95.38 + 44.37 = 139.75 kN/m2

�2 = 95.38 − 44.37 = 50.63 kN/m2
Heel: Top reinforcement

5
Taking moment about wall centre line for vertical loads and bearing pressures

� = 54� 3.1 4.5 �1.65�1 + 306.9�1.75�1 + 15.5�1.75�1 − 3.3�50.63� 3.3 2

115.98 − 50.63
− �3.3� 3.3 3 = 232.77���
2

Effective depth, � = 500 − 50 − 10 = 440��

� 232.77�106
�= = = 0.048
�����2 25�1000�4402

� = 440 0.5 + (0.25 − 0.048 0.9) = 415.13��

232.77�106
�� = = 1439.58��2
0.95�410�415.13

Provide Y20@200mm c/c (As =1570mm2)

Toe: Bottom reinforcement

Taking moment about wall centre line for vertical loads and bearing pressures
139.75 − 115.98
� =− 54� 1.0 4.5 �0.7�1 + 1.20�115.98� 1.20 2 + �1.20� 1.2�2 3
2
= 86.56���

� 86.56�106
�= = = 0.017
�����2 25�1000�4402

� = 0.95�440 = 418��

86.56�106
�� = = 531.66��2
0.95�410�418

Provide Y12@175mm c/c (As =646mm2)