Retaining Walls

(Applications)

Prepared by:
Engr. Kenny B. Cantila
 DESIGN EXAMPLE

Example 1. The cantilever retaining wall shown below is backfilled with

granular material having a unit weight, y, of 19 kN/m3 and an internal angle
of friction, φ, of 30°. Assuming that the allowable bearing pressure of the soil
is 120 kPa, the coefficient of friction is 0.4 and the unit weight of reinforced
concrete is 24 kN/m3.

• Determine the factors of safety against sliding and overturning.

• Calculate ground bearing pressures.
• Design the wall and base reinforcement assuming the compressive
strength of concrete is f’c = 27 MPa, yield strength of steel is fy = 380
MPa and the cover to reinforcement in the wall and base are, respectively,
35 mm and 75 mm. db = 20 mm
 x3
x1
5.0m
Ws
Ww
Fa

x2
0.4 m Wb

0.7 m 0.4 m 2.9 m Pa

𝐂𝐨𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞

1 − sin ∅
Ka =
1 + sin ∅
1 − sin 30o
Ka =
1 + sin 30o
𝟏
𝐊𝐚 =
𝟑

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞

Pa = K a ys H
1
Pa = 19 5.40
3
𝐏𝐚 = 𝟑𝟒. 𝟐 𝐤𝐏𝐚
 SLIDING

Consider the forces acting on a 1 m length of wall. Horizontal force on wall

due to backfill, Fa , is

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞

1 1
Fa = Pa H = (34.2)(5.4) = 92.34 kN
2 2

Total Vertical Weight:

Weight of wall (Ww) = 0.4(5)(1)(24) = 48.0 kN

Weight of base (Wb) = 0.4(4)(1)(24) = 38.4 kN
Weight of soil (Ws) = 2.9(5)(1)(19) = 275.5 kN
Total Vertical Weight Rv = 361.9 kN
Frictional Force:

Ff = μR v = 0.4(361.9) = 144.76 kN

Assume passive pressure force (Fp ) = 0. Hence factor of safety against

sliding is

Factor of Safety against Sliding

Ff
FSs =
Fa
144.76
FSs =
92.34

FSs = 1.57 > 1.50 (Ok)

 OVERTURNING

Overturning moment Resisting moment

H RM = Ww x1 + Wb x2 + Ws x3
OM = Fa
3
5.4 RM = 48 0.9 + 38.4 2 + 275.5(2.55)
OM = 92.34
3
𝐎𝐌 = 𝟏𝟔𝟔. 𝟐 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦 𝐑𝐌 = 𝟖𝟐𝟐. 𝟓 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦

Factor of Safety against Overturning

RM
FSo =
OM
822.5
FSo =
166.2

FSo = 4.95 > 1.5 (Ok)

 Ground Bearing Pressure

Take moment at the centerline of the base

ƩMb = 0
4 − 2.9 H
M = Ws − Fa − Ww 2 − 0.9
2 3
H
M = Fa + Ww 1.1 − Ws 0.55
3
5.4
M = 92.34 + 48.0 1.1 − 275.5 0.55
3
𝐌 = 𝟔𝟕. 𝟓 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦
 Toe Heel
B/3 B/6 B/3

q min
x e
q max

B/2 Rv B/2

RM − OM 822.5 − 166.2
x= = = 1.813 m
Rv 361.9
B 4 B 4
e = − x = − 1.813 = 0.187 m = = 0.667 m
2 2 6 6

M 67.5 𝐁
e= = = 0.187 m 𝐞< (𝐎𝐊)
R v 361.9 𝟔
 Rv 6e
q= 1±
B B
361.9 6(0.187)
q= 1±
4 4

361.9 6(0.187) 361.9 6(0.187)

q max = 1+ q min = 1−
4 4 4 4
𝐪𝐦𝐚𝐱 = 𝟏𝟏𝟓. 𝟖𝟓 𝐤𝐏𝐚 𝐪𝐦𝐢𝐧 = 𝟔𝟓. 𝟏𝟎 𝐤𝐏𝐚

Bearing pressure at the toe Bearing pressure at the heel

 Bending Reinforcement for Wall

1 Hs
Fs = K a ys H 2 Ms = Fs
2 3
1 1 5
Fs = 19 52 Ms = 79.17
2 3 3
𝐅𝐬 = 𝟕𝟗. 𝟏𝟕 𝐤𝐍 𝐌𝐬 = 𝟏𝟑𝟏. 𝟗𝟒 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦

Design moment

Mu = 1.2Ms
Mu = 1.2 131.94
Mu = 158.34kN ∙ m
𝐌𝐮 = 𝟏𝟓𝟖, 𝟑𝟒𝟎, 𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐍 ∙ 𝐦𝐦
 Bending Reinforcement for Wall (cont’d)

Mu = 158,340,000 N ∙ mm Steel ratio:

b = 1,000 mm
c = 35 mm
20 0.85f ′ c 2R u
d = 400 − 35 − = 355 mm ρ= 1− 1−
2 fy 0.85f ′ c

Mu = ∅R u bd2 0.85(27) 2(1.396)

Mu ρ= 1− 1−
Ru = (380) 0.85(27)
∅bd2
158,340,000
Ru =
0.90(1,000)(355)2 𝛒 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟑𝟕𝟗𝟐𝟖
𝐑 𝐮 = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟗𝟔 𝐌𝐏𝐚
 Bending Reinforcement for Wall (cont’d)

Minimum Steel ratio: Maximum Steel ratio:

1.4 0.85f′c 𝛽1 600

ρmin = ρmax = 0.75
fy fy 600 + fy

1.4 0.85(27)(0.85) 600

ρmin = ρmax = 0.75
380 380 600 + 380
ρmin = 0.0036842
𝛒𝐦𝐚𝐱 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟑𝟓𝟕

ρmin < ρ < ρmax

ρ = 0.0037928
 Bending Reinforcement for Wall (cont’d)

Required Steel Area: Steel Area of one bar:

As = ρbd π
Ao = db 2
As = 0.0037928(1,000)(355) 4
π
𝐀 𝐬 = 𝟏, 𝟑𝟒𝟔. 𝟒𝟒 𝐦𝐦𝟐 Ao = 20 2
4
Ao = 314.16 mm2

Number of bars required:

As
n = int +1
Ao
1,346.66
n = int +1
314.16
n=5
 Bending Reinforcement for Heel at Base

Toe Heel
0.7 m 0.4 m 2.9 m

q min
q max q2 q1

2.9 3.3
q1 = qmin + (qmax − qmin ) q 2 = q min + (q max − q min )
4 4
2.9 3.3
q1 = 65.10 + (115.85 − 65.10) q 2 = 65.10 + 115.85 − 65.10
4 4
𝐪𝟏 = 𝟏𝟎𝟏. 𝟗𝟎 𝐤𝐏𝐚 𝐪𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎𝟔. 𝟗𝟕 𝐤𝐏𝐚
 Bending Reinforcement for Heel at Base

Weight of soil

L= 2.9 m W1 = γs Vs
W1 = 19 2.9 5 1
W1 = 275.5 kN
x1
5.0m
W1
Weight of concrete

0.4 m 𝐌 x2 W2 W2 = γc Vc
W2 = 24[2.9 0.4 1 ]
P1 W2 = 27.84 kN
q1
P2
 Bending Reinforcement for Heel at Base (cont’d)

Actual Moment

L L
M = W1 x1 + W2 x2 − P1 − P2
2 3
2.9 2.9 2.9 1 2.9
M = 275.5 + 27.84 − 65.1 2.9 1 − (36.8)(2.9) 1
2 2 2 2 3
M = 399.475 + 40.368 − 273.745 − 51.581
𝐌 = 𝟏𝟏𝟒. 𝟓𝟐 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦

Design Moment

Mu = 1.2M
Mu = 1.2 114.52
𝐌𝐮 = 𝟏𝟑𝟕. 𝟒𝟐 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦
 Bending Reinforcement for Heel at Base (cont’d)

Mu = 137,420,000 N ∙ mm Steel ratio:

b = 1,000 m
c = 75 mm
20 0.85f ′ c 2R u
d = 400 − 75 − = 315 mm ρ= 1− 1−
2 fy 0.85f ′ c

Mu = ∅R u bd2 0.85(27) 2(1.54)

Mu ρ= 1− 1−
Ru = (380) 0.85(27)
∅bd2
137,420,000
Ru =
0.90(1,000)(315)2 𝛒 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟒𝟏𝟗𝟗
𝐑 𝐮 = 𝟏. 𝟓𝟒 𝐌𝐏𝐚
 Bending Reinforcement for Heel at Base (cont’d)

𝛒𝐦𝐢𝐧 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟑𝟔𝟖𝟒 Steel Area of one bar:

π
𝛒𝐦𝐚𝐱 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟑𝟓𝟕 Ao = db 2
4
π
ρmin > ρ Ao = 20 2
4
Ao = 314.16 mm2
Final steel ratio:

ρ = 0.004199 Number of bars required:

Required Steel Area: As

n = int +1
Ao
As = ρbd 1,322.69
As = 0.004199(1,000)(315) n = int +1
314.16
𝐀 𝐬 = 𝟏, 𝟑𝟐𝟐. 𝟔𝟗 𝐦𝐦𝟐 n=5
 Bending Reinforcement for Toe at Base

W
0.4 m x 𝐌 Weight of concrete

0.7 m W = γc Vc

W = 24[0.7 0.4 1 ]
q max P1 q2
W = 6.72 kN
P2
 Bending Reinforcement for Toe at Base (cont’d)

Actual Moment

0.7 2
M = P1 + P2 0.7 − Wx
2 3
0.7 1 2 0.7
M= 0.7 106.77 + 0.7 115.85 − 106.77 (0.7) − 6.72
2 2 3 2
M = 26.159 + 1.483 − 6.37
𝐌 = 𝟐𝟏. 𝟐𝟕𝟐 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦

Design Moment

Mu = 1.2M
Mu = 1.2 21.272
𝐌𝐮 = 𝟐𝟓. 𝟓𝟐𝟔 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦
 Bending Reinforcement for Toe at Base (cont’d)

Mu = 25,526,000 N ∙ mm Steel ratio:

b = 1,000 m
c = 75 mm
20 0.85f ′ c 2R u
d = 400 − 75 − = 315 mm ρ= 1− 1−
2 fy 0.85f ′ c

Mu = ∅R u bd2 0.85(27) 2(0.286)

Mu ρ= 1− 1−
Ru = (380) 0.85(27)
∅bd2
25,526,000
Ru =
0.90(1,000)(315)2 𝛒 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟕𝟓𝟕
𝐑 𝐮 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟖𝟔 𝐌𝐏𝐚
 Bending Reinforcement for Toe at Base (cont’d)

𝛒𝐦𝐢𝐧 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟑𝟔𝟖𝟒𝟐 Steel Area of one bar:

π
𝛒𝐦𝐚𝐱 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟑𝟓𝟕 Ao = db 2
4
π
ρmin > ρ Ao = 20 2
4
Ao = 314.16 mm2
Final steel ratio:

ρ = 0.0036842 Number of bars required:

Required Steel Area: As

n = int +1
Ao
As = ρbd 1,160.52
As = 0.0036842(1,000)(315) n = int +1
314.16
𝐀 𝐬 = 𝟏, 𝟏𝟔𝟎. 𝟓𝟐 𝐦𝐦𝟐 n=4
 DETAILS
TO FOLLOW
Example 2: A retaining wall 4.60 m high carries surcharge of 11.97 kN/m2
on the level backfill. Assume weight of soil = 15.71 kN/m3 and concrete
weighs 23.56 kN/m3. Angle of internal friction = 32o , f’c = 20.68 MPa, fy =
344.7 MPa. Use ρ = 0.18fc ′ /fy and steel covering = 75 mm. Load factor for
soil pressure and weight of soil is 1.6 . Determine the following:

a. Design moment of the retaining wall

b. Thickness of the stem of the retaining wall
c. Spacing of the 25 mm ∅ vertical main reinforcement for the stem of the
retaining wall.
 11.97 kN/m2

4.15 m

0.45 m

0.45 m t 1.50 m
 11.97 kN/m2
a

P1
4.15 m
P2

4.15/2

4.15/3
0.45 m a b

0.45 m t 1.50 m
𝐂𝐨𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 P1 = ahs
1 − sin ∅
Ka = P1 = 3.675(4.15)
1 + sin ∅ P1 = 15.25 kN
1 − sin 32o
Ka =
1 + sin 32o
𝐊 𝐚 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟎𝟕 Pu1 = 1.6P1
Pu1 = 1.6(15.25)
𝐏𝐮𝟏 = 𝟐𝟒. 𝟒𝟎 𝐤𝐍
Bottom Pressure due to Surcharge
a = Kaq 1
P2 = bhs
a = 0.307(11.97) 2
𝐚 = 𝟑. 𝟔𝟕𝟓 𝐤𝐏𝐚 1
P2 = 20.015 (4.15)
2
P2 = 41.53 kN

Bottom pressure due to backfill

b = K a γs hs Pu2 = 1.6P2
b = 0.307(15.71)(4.15) Pu2 = 1.6(41.53)
𝐛 = 𝟐𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟓 𝐤𝐏𝐚 𝐏𝐮𝟐 = 𝟔𝟔. 𝟒𝟓 𝐤𝐍
Part a

Design moment of the stem

4.15 4.15
Mu = Pu1 + Pu2
2 3
4.15 4.15
Mu = 24.40 + 66.45
2 3
𝐌𝐮 = 𝟏𝟒𝟐. 𝟓𝟓 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦
Part b ωf ′ c 1.4
ρ= ρmin =
fy fy
0.18(20.68) 1.4
ρ= ρmin = Use:
344.7 344.7
𝛒 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟎𝟖 𝛒𝐦𝐢𝐧 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟒𝟏 𝛒 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟎𝟖

′ 2
1
Mu = ∅f c bd ω 1 − ω
1.7
1
142.55 × 106 = 0.90 20.68 1000 (0.18)d2 1 − 0.18
1.7
d = 218 mm

𝐝 = 𝟐𝟐𝟓 𝐦𝐦

t=d+c
t = 225 + 75
𝐭 = 𝟑𝟎𝟎 𝐦𝐦
Part c
As = ρbd
As = 0.0108(1,000)(225)
𝐀 𝐬 = 𝟐, 𝟒𝟑𝟎 𝐦𝐦𝟐

π 2
A o = db
4
π
Ao = (25)2
4
𝐀 𝐨 = 𝟒𝟗𝟎. 𝟖𝟕 𝐦𝐦𝟐

Ao
s=b
As
490.87
s = 1,000
2,430
s = 202 mm

𝐬 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝐦𝐦
Example 3: A retaining wall caries a horizontal backfill with a soil having a
unit weight of 18.8 kN/m3. Coefficient of active pressure is Ka = 1/3. The
base has a total depth of 0.5 m. Steel covering is 75 mm. Concrete weighs 24
kN/m3. Load factor for weight of soil and pressure =1.6, f’c = 20.7 MPa, fy =
414 MPa. Compute the following:

a. Factor of safety against sliding if the coefficient of friction between the

soil and the base of the wall is 0.57.
b. Design moment for the stem
c. Spacing of the 25 mm ∅ bars on the stem.
 0.3 m

6.0m

0.7 m 2.0 m
0.5 m

3.5 m
 0.3 m
1
Fa = K a γs hs 2
2
1 1
Fa = (18.8)(6)2
2 3
𝐅𝒂 = 𝟏𝟏𝟐. 𝟖 𝐤𝐍

6.0m Fa
Fah = 1.6Fa W2 W4

2.0 m
Fah = 1.6(112.8)
𝐅𝐚𝐡 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎. 𝟒𝟖 𝐤𝐍 W1 2.0 m
0.5 m

0.7 m W3

3.5 m
 0.3 m
1
F= K a γs hs 2
2
1 1
F= (18.8)(6.5)2
2 3
𝐅 = 𝟏𝟑𝟐. 𝟑𝟖 𝐤𝐍

6.0m F
Fah = 1.6F W2 W4
Fah = 1.6(132.38)
𝐅𝐚𝐡 = 𝟐𝟏𝟏. 𝟖𝟏 𝐤𝐍 W1 2.0 m y
0.5 m

0.7 m W3

3.5 m
W1 = γc Vc Wu1 = 1.2W1
W1 = 24 0.5(6)(0.7) Wu1 = 1.2(50.4)
𝐖𝟏 = 𝟓𝟎. 𝟒 𝐤𝐍 𝐖𝐮𝟏 = 𝟔𝟎. 𝟒𝟖 𝐤𝐍

W2 = γc Vc Wu2 = 1.2W2
W2 = 24 6(0.3) Wu2 = 1.2(43.2)
𝐖𝟐 = 𝟒𝟑. 𝟐 𝐤𝐍 𝐖𝐮𝟐 = 𝟓𝟏. 𝟖𝟒 𝐤𝐍

W3 = γc Vc Wu3 = 1.2W3
W3 = 24 3.5(0.5) Wu3 = 1.2(42)
𝐖𝟑 = 𝟒𝟐 𝐤𝐍 𝐖𝐮𝟑 = 𝟓𝟎. 𝟒𝟎 𝐤𝐍

W4 = γs Vs Wu4 = 1.6W4
W4 = 18.8 6(2) Wu4 = 1.6(225.6)
𝐖𝟒 = 𝟐𝟐𝟓. 𝟔 𝐤𝐍 𝐖𝐮𝟒 = 𝟑𝟔𝟎. 𝟗𝟔 𝐤𝐍
Part a
Total Vertical Load:

R v = Wu1 + Wu2 + Wu3 + Wu4

R v = 60.48 + 51.84 + 50.40 + 360.96
𝐑 𝐯 = 𝟓𝟐𝟑. 𝟔𝟖 𝐤𝐍

Factor of Safety against Sliding:

μR v
FSs =
Fah
0.57(523.68)
FSs =
211.81
𝐅𝐒𝐬 = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟏 < 𝟏. 𝟓𝟎 (𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐤!)
Part b
Design moment of the stem

hs
Mu = Fah
3
6
Mu = 180.48
3
𝐌𝐮 = 𝟑𝟔𝟎. 𝟗𝟔 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦

Modulus of Rupture:

Mu
Ru =
∅bd2
360,960,000
Ru =
0.90 1,000 (225)2
𝐑 𝐮 = 𝟕. 𝟗𝟐 𝐌𝐏𝐚
Part c

Required reinforcement ratio: Steel ratio limits:

f ′c 2R u
ρ = 0.85 1− 1− 1.4 f′c
fy 0.85f ′ c ρmin = ,
fy 4fy
max
(20.7) 2(7.92) 1.4 20.7
ρ = 0.85 1− 1− ρmin = ,
(414) 0.85(20.7) 414 4(414) max
𝛒 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟗𝟎𝟖 𝛒𝐦𝐢𝐧 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟑𝟑𝟖
Part c
Required steel area:

As = ρbd
As = (0.02908)(1,000)(225)
𝐀 𝐬 = 𝟔, 𝟓𝟒𝟑 𝐦𝐦𝟐

Spacing of 25-mm bars:

Ao
s=b
As
π 2
25
s = 1000 4
6,543
s = 75.02
𝐬 = 𝟕𝟓 𝐦𝐦
 References

http://www.keystonewalls.com/media/Technotes/coulomb.pdf

http://www.civil.utah.edu/~bartlett/CVEEN6920/Earth%20Pressure%20Theory.pd

http://www.keystonewalls.com/media/Technotes/coulomb.pdf

http://www.civil.utah.edu/~bartlett/CVEEN6920/Earth%20Pressure%20Theory.pd