3.

Stability Check:
There are two checks to consider the stability of the retaining wall. One is the check for an
overturning moment and the other one is the check for sliding. The weight of the retaining
wall including the gravity loads within it plays a vital role in performing the stability check.
Refer to Figure A.4 for the mass or weight calculations.

The self-weight component of the retaining wall should be factored down or to be multiplied
by weight reduction factor (0.9) to account for uncertainty because they are “stabilizing” in
this context. Hence,


o Weight due to soil: W 1= 18kN/m3 x 0.6m x 0.625m x 1.0m = 6.75kN
o Weight due to footing: W 2= 0.9 x 25kN/m3 x 0.25m x 1.5m x 1.0m = 8.44kN
o Weight due to wall: W 3= 0.9 x 25kN/m3 x 0.25m x 2.0m x 1.0m = 11.25kN
o Weight due to soil: W 4= 18kN/m3 x 0.625m x 2.0m x 1.0m = 22.5kN
o Weight due to water: W 5= 10kN/m3 x 0.625m x 1.0m x 1.0m = 6.25kN
o Weight due to surcharge: W s= 18kN/m3 x 0.625m x 0.8m x 1.0m = 9kN
o Total Weight, W T = 64.19kN