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The structural design of a reinforced concrete retaining wall with sloping fill is not usually
given as examples in design text books. The basic simplified design procedure is
presented here in excel spreadsheet
STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF R.C RETAINING WALL WITH SLOPING FILL
All dimensions in mm on sketch 225
26.5 °

7000 H1 H2 H3 H4

8200

1200

5680

B
DESIGN DATA:
Height of earthfill retained above gully bed level, H 1 = 7m
Depth of foundation, D fdn = 1.2 m
2
Surcharge pressure, qs 0 kN/m

Properties of Retained Soil/Backfill (well graded sand and gravel)

3
Unit weight of soil, γsoil = 18 kN/m
Angle of internal friction of soil, Ø soil = 30 °
Slope angle of backfill, β 26.5 °

Properties of Sub-base Soil (medium sand)

2
Safe bearing capacity of soil, fsafe 120 kN/m
Coeficient of friction between base and soil, μ 0.5

Design:
Design is to BS 8110: Parts 1,2 and 3, 1997

Characteristic Strengths and Unit Weight of Materials

2
Characteristic strength of concrete, fcu = 35 N/mm
2
Characteristic strenght of steel, fy = 415 N/mm
3
Unit weight of concrete, γconcrete = 24 kN/m
Minimum concrete cover to all reinforcement , c c= 50 mm

Partial Safety Factors, γf

For ULS, values of γ f are taken as 1.2 for the horizontal loads,
and 1.4 for all vertical loads
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Preliminary Sizing:
Height of earth retained above NGL and top of splay (level fill) 7 m
Stem top width: 200 mm to 300 mm, use B stem1= 0.225 m
Base slab width: 0.6H to 0.75H, try B = 5.68 m
Thickness of base slab: 0.1H to 0.08H, try tbase = 0.700 0.7 m
Thickness of stem/base joint: 0.1H to 0.08H, use t stem = 0.9 m
Toe projection = 1/3*B to 1/4*B, try B toe = 2.7548 2.78 m
Heel width, Bheel 2m
Depth of splay, hsplay = 0.5 m
Stem height to bottom of splay, H 2 = 7.5 m
Depth of foundation, D fdn = 1.2 m
Minimum base slab thickness at end of taper, t min = 0.45 m

Calculation of Earth Pressures

For sloping backfill with angle of β degrees, the coefficient of active pressure is computed as
Ka = cosβ* {cosβ-(cos2β -cos2φ)^0.5}/{cosβ+(cos 2β -cos2β)^0.5}

β sinβ cosβ tanβ cos2β

26.565 0.447 0.894 0.500 0.800
cos2β-cos

φ sinφ cosφ cos2φ ka

30 0.500 0.866 0.750 0.224 0.54

Lateral earth pressure, pa

Height of earth retained with slope angle to top of splay, H 3 = H1+Bheel*tanβ,m = 8.00
Height of earth retained with slope angle to bottom of splay, H 4 = H3+hsplay,m = 8.50
Height retained with slope angle to the bottom of the base, H= H 4 +base thickness = 9.20

Earth pressure acting parallel to the sloping fill is

2
pa = ka*γ*H = 88.86 kN/m ka γ (kN/m3) H (m) pa (kN/m2)
0.54 18 9.20 88.86

Horizontal thrust, Pa = 1/2*ka*γ*H2 = ka γ H2 Pa (kN/m)

408.77 KN/m 0.54 18 84.64 408.77

The horizontal and vertical components are

Ph =Pa*cosβ
Pv =Pa*sinβ
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cosβ sinβ Pa Ph Pv
(kN/m) (kN/m) (kN/m)
0.894 0.447 408.77 365.61 182.83

Pv acts along the line at end of heel to slope

STABILITY ANALYSIS
Vertical Loads and Bending Moments about the Toe( Front edge of the base)
Section Number Width Depth Area γconc. Fv Lever arm Moment
2 3
(m) (m) (m ) (kN/m ) (kN/m) (m) (kNm/m)
Stem 1 0.225 7.5 1.69 24 40.50 3.57 144.48
2 0.3375 7 2.36 24 56.70 3.23 183.14
2a 0.675 0.5 0.34 24 8.10 3.12 25.25
Splay RHS 3 0.25 0.5 0.13 24 3.00 3.85 11.54
SplayLHS 4 0.25 0.5 0.13 24 3.00 2.61 7.84
Base Slab 5 1.14 0.25 0.29 24 6.84 1.52 10.40
6 1.9 0.25 0.48 24 11.40 3.23 36.82
7 0.75 0.25 0.19 24 4.50 4.68 21.06
8 5.68 0.45 2.56 24 61.34 2.84 174.22
Backfill 9 2 7 14.00 18 252.00 4.68 1,179.4
10 0.25 0.50 0.13 18 2.25 4.01 9.03
11 1.5 0.50 0.75 18 13.50 4.93 66.56
12 0.75 0.25 0.19 18 3.38 5.18 17.48
13 1 1.00 1.00 18 18.00 5.01 90.25
Vert P Pv 182.83 5.68 1,038.5
667.34 3,015.9

Horizontal Loads and Bending Moments about the Bottom of the Base
2
ka γ H H Fh H/3 Mh
3
(kN/m ) (m) (kN/m) (m) (kNm/m)
Backfill 7 0.54 18 9.20 84.64 365.607 3.067 1,121.2
Surcharge kaqsH
365.61 1121.212

Calculation of Centroid of Loads

Distance of centroid from toe, is

Xbar = (∑Mv- ∑Mh)/∑Fv ∑Mv ∑Mh ∑Fv xbar

(kNm/m) (kNm/m) (kN/m) (m)
3,015.9 1,121.2 667.34 2.84

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Eccentricity of the vertical force relative to the centreline of the base, e is calculated as

e = B/2 - xbar
< B/6
B xbar e B/6
(m) (m) (m) (m)
5.68 2.84 0.00 0.95
Soil Bearing Pressure
Maximum ground pressure = fmax = (Fv/B)*(1+6e/B)

Fv B e fmax fmin fsafe

2)
(kN/m) (m) (m) (kN/m (kN/m ) (kN/m2) 2

667.3422 5.68 0.00 117.59 117.39 120

Check for Overturning

Moment is taken about toe of the base
Factor of safety against overturning, F.S. is

F.S. = ∑Mv/∑Mh 2.69 >1.5 OK

Check for Sliding:

F.S. = 0.5*ΣFV/ ΣFh 0.91 <1.5 Not OK. Hence Provide shear key
(effect of passive resistance neglected)

BENDING REINFORCEMENT
Wall Stem
Height of wall, H3 = 8.00 m

2
pa = ka*γ*H3 = 77.27 kN/m ka γ H3 (m) pa (kN/m2)
0.54 18 8.00 77.27

Horizontal thrust, Pa = 1/2*ka*γ*H32 = ka γ H32 Pa

309.09 KN/m 0.54 18 64.00 309.09

Surcharge pressure, qs
2
ps = ka*qs = 0.00 kN/m ka qs ps (kN/m2)
0.54 0 0.00

Surcharge thrust, Ps = ka*qs*H = ka qs H Ps

0.00 kN/m 0.54 0 8.00 0.00
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The horizontal earth pressure, Ph = Pa*cosβ Pa cosβ Ph

309.09 0.894 276.45

Moment due to earth horizontal thrust, M a Pah H3/3 Mah

Ma = Pah*H3/3 = 737.22 kN-m/m 276.45 2.667 737.22

Surcharge Moment due to horizontal thrust, Ms Ps H/2 Ms

Ms = Ps*H/2 = 0.00 kN-m/m 0.00 3.500 0.00

Ultimate L.S. Moment, M U = 1.2Mah = Mah MU

884.66 KN-m/m 737.22 884.66

Wall is battered at 7.0V:0.675H (angle=84.5 degrees) 84.5 degrees

Wall thickness at top of splay = tstem 900 mm
Concrete Cover, c c = 50 mm
Assume Bar size , Ø 25 mm
Width of slab b= 1m width = 1000 mm
Effective depth, d = h - cc - Ø/2 =
838 mm h cc Ø/2 d (mm)
900 50 12.5 838

K = M/(bd2fcu) = 0.036
M*106 b d2 fcu K
884.66 1000 701,406 35 0.036

K= 0.036 <0.156

Z =d((0.5 + √ (0.25 - K/0.9)) = La* d K K/0.9 √0.25-K/0.9La

0.036 0.0400 0.4582 0.96
La = 0.96 > 0.95
Use La = 0.95

La d Z
Z = La*d = 795.6 mm 0.95 837.5 795.6

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Asreq. = M/(0.87*f y*Z) = M*10 fy 0.87fy Z Asreq
2
3079.66 mm /m 884.6649 415 361.05 795.63 3079.66
Use Y25 - 150 (3271 mm2 /m )

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Minimum steel = 0.13%bh 0.13% b h Min.Steel

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1170 mm /m 0.0013 1000 900 1170

Use Y20 - 250 (1256 mm2 /m ) as minimum steel

Moment at bottom of splay (H4)

2 2
Horizontal thrust, Pa = (1/2)*ka*γ*H = Ka γ H4 Pa
348.94 KN/m 0.54 18 72.25 348.94

The horizontal earth pressure, Ph = Pa*cosβ Pa cosβ Ph

348.94 0.894 312.09

Moment due to earth horizontal thrust, M a

Ma = Pah*H4/3 = 884.27 kN-m/m Pah H4/3 Mah
312.09 2.833 884.27

Ultimate L.S. Moment, M U = 1.2Mah = Mah MU

1061.12 KN-m/m 884.27 1061.12

Check Moment at bottom of splay

Wall thickness at bottom of splay =Stem thk.+2*depth of splay= 1.900 mm
Concrete Cover, c c = 50 mm
Assume Bar size , Ø 25 mm
Width of slab b= 1m width = 1000 mm
Effective depth, d = h - cc - Ø/2 = 1,838 mm

h cc Ø/2 d (mm)
1,900 50 12.5 1,838
2
K = M/(bd fcu) = 0.009
M*106 b d2 fcu K
1061.12 1000 3,376,406 35.00 0.009

K= 0.009 <0.156

Z =d((0.5 + √ (0.25 - K/0.9)) = La* d K K/0.9 √0.25-K/0.9La

0.009 0.0100 0.4899 0.99
0.99>0.95, Use La = 0.95

Z = La*d = 1745.6 mm La d Z
0.95 1837.5 1745.6
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Asreq. = M/(0.87*f y*Z) = M*106 fy 0.87fy Z Asreq

2
1683.63 mm /m 1061.119 415 361.05 1745.63 1683.63
2
Y25 - 150 (3270 mm /m ) provided is OK
BASE SLAB

Design of Heel Slab 5680

2780 900 2000

fmin
fmax

fheel
ftoe

fmax = 117.59 kN/m2

2
fmin = 117.39 kN/m
fmax-fmin = 0.21 kN/m2

2
Heel pressure = fmin + (heel width/base width)*(fmax-fmin) 117.46 kN/m

Earth pressure at Stem/heel junction is given as

Horizontal component = P ah = KaγH1Bheeltanβ
Vertical component = P av = KaγH1Bheel*tanβ*sinβ

Similarly, at the end of the heel,

The vertical component = P av = KaγH2Bheel*tanβ*sinβ

The total force due vertical component P v is

Total Pav = (Kaγ)/2* (H1+H3)*Bheel*tanβ*sinβ
For top of Splay section
ka γ H1 H3 Bheel tanβ sinβ PvT
(kN/m3) (m) (m) (m) (kN/m)
0.54 18.00 7 8.00 2 0.500 0.447 32.41

For bottom of splay section

ka γ H2 H4 Bheel tanβ sinβ PvT
(kN/m3) (m) (m) (m) (kN/m)
0.54 18.00 7.5 8.50 2 0.500 0.447 34.57
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This acts at, xbar =(H1+2*H3)/(H1+H3)*Bheel/3

(H1+H3)/2 Bheel/3 xbar
(m) (m) (m)
1.53 0.667 1.02

Bottom splay
This acts at, xbar =(H2+2*H4)/(H2+H4)*Bheel/3

(H2+H4)/2 Bheel/3 xbar

(m) (m) (m)
1.53 0.667 1.02

Forces and Moments about heel/base joint, C

Section Number Width Depth Area γconc. Fv Lever arm Moment
m (m) (m2)
Backfill 9 2 7 14.00 18 252.00 1 252.00
10 0.5 0.50 0.25 18 4.50 0.33 1.50
11 1.5 0.50 0.75 18 13.50 1.25 16.88
12 0.75 0.25 0.19 18 3.38 1.50 5.06
13 1 1.00 1.00 18 18.00 1.33 24.00
Heel slab 8a (Rect.) 2 0.45 0.90 24 21.60 1.00 21.60
7a 0.75 0.25 0.19 24 4.50 1.00 4.50
7b 0.5 0.25 0.13 24 3.00 0.25 0.75
10 0.5 0.5 0.25 24 6.00 0.17 1.00
Earth Pre
Vert P Pv 32.41 1.02 33.13
358.88 360.42

(m) (kN/m2) (kN/m) (m) (kNm/m)

Upward heel rect. 2 117.46 234.92 1 234.92
Soil Pre heel trian
Mnet 125.50

Ultimate limit state moment, M u = 1.2*Mnet 150.60 kNm/m

base thickness = 700 mm worst case at bottom of splay

Concrete Cover, c c = 50 mm
Assume Bar size , Ø 25 mm
Width of slab b= 1m width = 1000 mm
Effective depth, d = h - cc - Ø/2 = h cc Ø/2 d (mm)
637.5 mm 700 50 12.5 637.5

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K = M/(bd2fcu) = 0.011
6 2
M*10 b d fcu K
150.60 1000 406406 35 0.011

K= 0.011 <0.156

Z =d((0.5 + √ (0.25 - K/0.9)) = La* d K K/0.9 √0.25-K/0.9La

0.011 0.01176 0.48809 0.99
0.99>0.95, Use La = 0.95

Z = La*d = 605.625 mm La d Z
0.95 637.5 605.63

Asreq. = M/(0.87*f y*Z) = M*106 fy 0.87fy Z Asreq

2
688.73 mm /m 150.60 415 361.05 605.625 688.73

Minimum steel = 0.13%bh

2
910 mm /m 0.13% b h Min.Steel
0.0013 1000 700 910

Use Y20 - 250 (1256 mm2 /m ) as distribution and in bottom face of heel slab
Design of Toe
From definition sketch, Figure
Pressure at toe/stem junction, f toe = fmin+Btoe/B(fmax-fmin) 117.49 kN/m2

Toe rectangle pressure = base stem ground pressure = f toe = 117.49 kN/m2
Toe triangle pressure = fmax-ftoe = 0.11 kN/m2

Moment about toe/stem joint, top of splay LHS

Shape/No width depth γ Fv La Moment

Backfill
Toe slab Rect. 8a 2.78 0.45 24 30.024 1.39 41.73
5 1.14 0.25 24 6.84 1.26 8.62
6a 0.5 0.25 24 3 0.25 0.75
4 0.25 0.5 24 3 0.17 0.50

Upward kN/m2 kN/m m kNm/m

soil press toe rect 2.78 117.49 326.62 1.39 454.00
toe trian. 1.39 0.11 0.15 1.85 0.27
(283.90) (402.66)
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Ultimate Limit State moment, M u =1.2M (483.20) (kNm/m)

Depth of toe slab at splay = t base +hsplay 1.2 m
d = h-cc-1/2φ 1137.5 mm
2
K = M/(bd fcu) = 0.016
M*106 b d2 fcu K
483.20 1000 1293906 24 0.016

K= 0.016 <0.156

Z =d((0.5 + √ (0.25 - K/0.9)) = La* d K K/0.9 √0.25-K/0.9La

0.016 0.01729 0.4824 0.98
0.98>0.95, Use La = 0.95

Z = La*d = 1080.625 mm La d Z
0.95 1137.5 1081

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Asreq. = M/(0.87*f y*Z) = M*10 fy 0.87fy Z Asreq
2
1238.46 mm /m 483.1979 415 361.05 1081 1238

Use Y20 - 250 (1256 mm2 /m )

Design of Shear Key

Try shear key with following dimensions
Width 0.9
Depth = 1.6
Coefficient of passive pressure, k p =1/Ka
ka kp
0.54 1.86

2
Passive pressure in front of key = k p*ftoe = 218.95 kN/m
kp ftoe pp

1.86 117.49 218.95

Total passive force, P p = kp*ftoe*hkey =

pp hkey Pp
(kN/m2) (m) (kN/m)
218.95 1.6 350.32
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Total sliding force at the level of shear key bottom is

Ph = KaY/2(htkey)^2*cosβ

htkey=H4+base depth+key depth = 10.80

ka htkey γ cosβ Ph

0.54 10.80 18 0.894 503.83

Weight of soil between base and level of the key bottom =B*h key*γ approx. = 163.584

B hkey Fv (key soil)

5.68 1.6 163.584

Total vertical forces, SumF v +Fv(key)=

SumFv Fv(key) TotalFv

667.34 163.584 830.93

F.O.S against sliding = (μTotalFv+Pp)/Ph

μ TotalFv Pp Ph FOS

0.5 830.93 350.32 503.83 1.52

F.O.S = 1.52 >1.5 OK

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