MODULE 13

I. Learning Outcome: This module is about Lateral Earth Pressure Continuation

Topics: Lateral Earth Pressure Continuation
A. Tensile Crack
a. Problem Solving for Tensile Crack
B. Anchoring and Tie Rods
a. Definition and Brief Introduction on Anchoring in
Retaining Walls and Sheet Piles
b. Tension Rod Forces
c. Length of Anchor Bolts
K. Problem Solving
L. Problem
Time Factor: 6 hours (1 weeks)

II. Tensile Crack

Tensile Cracks refers to brittle deformation without displacement along the discontinuous
surface. Tensile cracks are often observed within backfill soils behind retaining structures prior
to failure. These cracks occur up to a depth where tensile stress exceeds the soil tensile strength.

III. Problem Solving for Tensile Crack

1. A retaining wall is shown

a. Determine the total active pressure before tensile crack occurs.
b. Determine the total active pressure after tensile crack occurs.
Surcharge
q = 15 KPa

γ = 16.5 KN /cu m
φ = 26 ̊
C = 10 KN/sq m

h = 6m

Solution:
1. Solve this problem uses the height as reference. The first height is at the top
of the retaining wall and the second height is at the bottom of the retaining
wall.
2. Solve for Ka
1−sin φ 1−sin 26
Ka= = =0 . 39
1+ sin φ 1+sin 26

3. As a direct approach, the total unit pressure is:

pa = Ka γ h + q Ka + 2 c √ K a
For soil For surcharge For cohesion

4. At height, h = 0, at the top of the retaining wall

pa = Ka γ h + q Ka + 2 c √ K a

pa = 0 + 15 (0.39) + 2(10) √0.39

pa = -6.64 KN/ sq m

5. At height, h = 6 m, at the bottom of the retaining wall

pa = Ka γ h + q Ka + 2 c √ K a

pa = (0.36)(16.5)(6) + 15 (0.39) + 2(10) √0.39

pa = 31. 97 KN/sq m

6.Plot the pressure diagram based on the unit pressures solved.

7.Make a vertical line, AB, from the top to the bottom of the retaining wall.
Surcharge
q = 15 KPa

C -6.64 A
y
Critical point where tensile crack occurs

6-y
h = 6m

B 31.97 D

Tensile Crack Diagram

8. Plot the value -6.64 from point A horizontally to the left to point C. Observe
that this is a negative value, thus going to the left.

9. At Point B, plot 31.97 horizontally to the right to point D, Observe that this is
a positive value, thus going to the right.

10. Connect points C to D.

11. This makes a diagonal line which intersects the vertical line. The intersection
is the critical point where tensile crack will occur making the retaining wall
unsafe at this point.

12. Locate this exact point using ratio and proportion.

y 6
=
6.64 6.64+31.97

y = 1.03 m
therefore, 6 - y = 4.97 m

13. Therefore the tensile crack depth = 1.03 m from the top of the retaining wall.

14. The Active Pressure before the tensile crack

(Direct approach)

Note:
This formula is solved directly since you have taken this up in Module 12.

pa = ½ Ka γ h2 + q Ka h + 2 c √ K a h

pa = ½(0.39)(16.5) 62 + (15) (0.39)(6) + 2 ( 10 ) √ 0.39( 6)

Fa = 76 KN

15. Another solution for solving this is to get the area of both of the triangular
figures. (observe the negative sign!)

Fa = ½ (31.97) (4.97)(1) + ½ (-6.64) (1.03) (1) = 76 KN

16. The Active Pressure after tensile crack occurs

(Get the area of the larger triangle)

Fa = ½ (31.97) (4.97) (1) = 79.45 KN

IV. Anchoring and Tie Rods

Ground anchors also known as earth or percussion driven or mechanical anchors

are versatile devices used to hold , restrain, and support building, civil engineering and other
structures, either permanently or temporarily. Anchoring a structure is to ensure the weight of the
structure is greater than the forces that might be applied to it.

An anchored retaining wall allows for variety of fronts of retaining walls to be supported
by anchors driven into the earth behind them and attached by cables or strips. These anchors are
usually mechanically driven into the ground and their ends expanded by injecting pressurized
concrete or mechanical means. Also called a tie-back system, an chored retaining wall basically
consists of anchors, cables, and thin walls. Anchors are installed into the ground to balance the
foundation and the load is then supported by the retaining walls, held in place by cables
connecting the anchors and walls.

Tie Rods have many purposes in Civil Engineering works. The Tie Rods may be
temporary structures. Their primary function is to secure the formwork by holding them together
during concrete pouring operations. They may be used in clamping formworks preventing either
side from bulging under the wet weight of the concrete.

Tie Rods may also be used when seawalls and retaining walls experience extreme
stresses. The tie bar system helps keep them steady. They are hidden from sight, steel tie rods
keep these structures up right and able to withstand the forces of groundwater expansive soil
pressure and other destructive forces.

Tie Rods helps to hold sheet piles from being pushed away by lateral forces from the
inside such as loads from infill or embankment. They counter pull forces and serve as tension
members.
V. Problem Solving

A. A sheet pile wall is shown.

a) Determine the minimum value of embedment depth d for stability, in meters.
b) Using the minimum value of d, determine the tension in the tie rod per meter
length of pile.

3m γ= 19.62 KN/cu m
1m

Tie Rod

6m Φ= 30 ͦ
Dredged line
Ka = 0.3
Kp = 3
γsat= 19.49 KN/cu m
d

Solution:

Note:
a) The water pressure may not be included in the analysis. It will cancel out
because it appears at the same level on both sides of the wall.
b) By now, you should have mastered Module 12, therefore the solutions shall
not be fully elaborated. Please do your best to self understand.
1. Illustrate your Pressure Diagram.

3m γ= 19.62 KN/cu m T O Fa1

1m b

Tie Rod c
f
6m Φ= 30 ͦ a Fa2
Dredged line
Ka = 0.3
Kp = 3
Fa3
γsat= 19.49 KN/cu m Fp
d

p3 p1 p2

2. Active Pressures

p1 = Ka γ h = 0.3(19.620 (4) = 23.544 KPa

Fa1 = ½ (23.544) (4 )( 1) = 47.088KN

Fa2 = (23.544) (6 + d )( 1)

b = 4/3 – 1 = 1/3

c = 1 = ½ (6 + d) = 4 + d/2

p2 = Ka γ h = 0.3 (19.49-9.81) (6 + d) = 2.904 (6 + d)

Fa3 = ½ [2.904(6 + d) (6 + d)](1) = 1.452(36 + 12d + d2)

f = 1 + (2/3) (6 + d) = 5 + 2d/3

3. Passive Pressure

p3 = Ka γ h = 3(9.68) (d) = 29.04 d

Fp = ½ (29.04d)(d) = 14.52 d2

a = 7 +2d/3
 4. ∑ M 0 =0
Fp (a) + Fa1 (b) = Fa2(c) + Fa3(f)

14.52 d2 (7 +2d/3) + 47.088(1/3) = (23.544) (6 + d ) (4 + d/2) + 1.452(36 + 12d + d 2) (5 + 2d/3)

d = 4.347 m

5. ∑ F h=0

T = Fa1 + Fa2 + Fa3 - Fp

T = 47.088 + (23.544) (6 + 4.347) + 1.452[36 + 12(4.347) + (4.347)2]

T = 171.77 KN

B. An anchored sheet pile wall shown supports a mass of sandy soil with horizontal
surface. Unit weight of soil is 16 KN/cu m with an angle of friction of 30 ͦ .
Kp =3, Ka =1/3, h1 = 1.2 m , h2 = 4.3 m, h3 = 2.1 m

a) Find the tension of the anchor plates (dead man).

b) Find the value of H if a factor of safety of 1.5 is used against anchor resistance
failure.
c) Determine the minimum length of the anchor ties.

h1 = 1.2 anchor bolt H

h2 = 4.3

sheet pile

h3 = 2.1

Solution:

1. Make your pressure Diagram with required unit pressures and pressures.
2. This problem shall be solved directly, since this was taken up in Module 12.
3. Include T, tension, in the anchor bolt.
h1 = 1.2 anchor bolt H T

h2 = 4.3
sheet pile

Fa

h3 = 2.1 Fp

a) T + Fp = Fa

Fp = ½ Ka γ h32 = ½ (3) ( 16) (2.1)2 (1) = 105.84 KN

Fa = ½ Ka γ h2 = ½ (1/3) (16) (7.6) 2 (1) = 154.03 KN

T + 105.84 = 154.03

T = 48.19 KN

b) For H

1 2
γ H (K p −K a)
2
T=
F. S.

1 2 1
(16)H (3− )
2 3
48.19=
1.5

T = 1.84 m

c) For Minimum length of anchor ties

Make your diagram

 L

X y

h1 = 1.2 30 ͦ H = 1.84 m

h2 = 4.3

Sliding surface

φ 30
h3 = 2.1 45− =45− =30 °
2 2

x
tan30 °=
7.6
x = 4.39 m

1.84
tan30 °=
y
y = 3.19 m

Minimum length of anchor ties = 4.39 + 3.19 = 7.58 m

d) If failure occurs, failure wedge starts at the top of the sheet pile,
horizontally at x = 4.39 m and slides diagonally down to the bottom of the
sheet pile.

h = 7.6 m

failure wedge
 φ 30
45− =45− =30 °
2 2

VI. Problem

1. The figure shows an anchored sheet pile wall which has values of h1 = 1.68 m, h2 =
4.0 m, h3 = 2.24 m and H = 2.0 m Unit weight of non-cohesive soil is 18 KN/cu m.

a. Compute the angle of friction of the non-cohesive soil if the distance from the
sheet pile to the point where sliding or failure wedge will occur due active
pressure on the wall by the horizontal backfill is equal to 4.39 m.
b. Compute the factor of safety against anchor resistance if the allowable tension
in the anchor bolt is 70.76 KN/m for a continuous anchor plates (dead man).
c. Compute the minimum length of the anchor bolt needed to have full capacity
X = 4.39 m

h1 = 1.68 anchor bolt H=2m

h2 = 4.0

sheet pile Failure wedge

h3 = 2.24