HANDBOOK-SP-17(14)

THE REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN

102

conevete cantilever wall retaining earth built at property lne

Retaining Walls Example 6-Reinforned level earth bank8 A high above the final earh l . . .
cantilever wall that retains a
Design a normalweight reinforeed concrete The grade
of rcinforcing Hbar
satisfy durability and strength requireimcnts.
as shown in
Fig. 6.1. The concrete mixthure must from the geotechnical report: soil unit weight of 120 pcf, angle of sot
is assumed at 60.000 psi. The soil data were obtainced and the allowable soil bearing presar
between concrete and soil of 0.4, pressure
intemal friction of 35 degrees, cocfhicient of friction
of 3000 psf. to any other load, and Ihe frost line is 20
Assume that the cantilever wall is built at the property
line. is not subjected 6in

below the finished grade.

Given
Soil data
Y 120 pcf
35 degrees
0.4
Yol3000 psf

Concrere
, = 1.0 (normalweight concrete)

f 60,000 psi
Cantilever wall
h = 8 ft
h 2.5 ft

Fig. E6.1-Cantilever retaining wal.

ACI 318-14 Discussion Calculation

Step 1: Material requirements
7.2.2.1 The mixture proportion Inust satisfy the durability By specifying that the concrete mixture shall be in
requirements of Chapter 19 and structural strength accordance with ACI 301 and providing the exposure
requirements. The designer determines the durabil | elasses, Chapter 19 requirements are satisfied.
ity classes. Please see Chapter 4 of this Handbook
for an in-depth discussion of the catcgories and Based on durability and strength requirements, and
classes. experience with local 1nixturcs, the compressive strength
of concrete is specified at 28 days to be at least 4500 psi.
ACI 301 is a reference specification that is coordi-
nated with ACI 318. ACl encourages referencing
301 into job specifications.

There are several mixture options within ACI

301, such as admixtures and pozzolans, which the
designer can require, permit, or review if suggested
bythe contractor.

Example I ofthis Chapterprovides a more detailed

breakdown on determining the concrete compres-
sive strength and exposure catcgorics and classes.

aci American Concrete Institute -

Copyrighted Material -

www.concrete.org
 CHAPTER 12-RETAINING WALLS
103
lateral essure
press.

valent
2: bqu
Step The geotechnical report provides the cquivalent
lateral pressure the wall 1s required to resist,
cantilever wall data
P (0.271M120 pcf) =

}2.5 pcf
S t e p
Preliminary
3 :P r e l n i n a r y

Generalcriteria
The preliminary retaining wall dimensions (refer stem
to Fig. E6.2) are determmined from the author's
experience and are presented in the text.

pase
Fig. E6.2-Retaining L-Hall required dimensions.

Overall height of wall is: hh th =8f+2.5 ft 10.5 ft

sten0.08(10.5 ft) = 0.83 ft, say, 10in.

Estiumating stem thickness: (0.07 to 0.12)h
Estimating base thickness: (0.07 to 0.1)h, but at ane0.1(10.5 ft) = 1.05 ft, say, 1ft 3 in.
least 12in. base be slightly
Engineers commonly specify the
thickerthan the stem.
(1 ft 3 in.)-(3 in.)
=
1 ft> 6 in. OK
Assuming 3 in. cover, the effective depth is:
206.1.3.1
13.3.1.2 blue0.55 (10.5 fi) = 5.775 ft, say, 5 ft 8in.
Length ofbase (heel): (0.5 to 0.7)h
Heellength: bhret(5 ft 8 in.)-(10 in.)=4 ft 10in.
heelDbuseDisesem

www.concrete.org
aci
CopyrightedMaterial-
Institute
American Concrete
 Step 4 Anplimd fror

T T ipining nll te meethnd h e cooniNVEIS,

nneroprarnintinr fh etrin ie snelvzd for the

ha tmm Iond effecte (refer to Fip E63)

Vertucal Joad
1 LP
C,1h
The vertcal weipht In the sell-weight of the retain-
n wall (stem and have) and the weipht of the soil
LLLD
above the hecl Fig E6.3-Applied formes on retaining wall

Stem wall P Yemn K an P (150 pec%0.83 fX10.5 f- 125 f) - 1152 1b

Basc P.Y. Nb) P (150 pcf(1.25 fM(s 67 f) = 1063 lb
Soil. P- yk b -,) P-(120pcfX10.5 ft- 1.25 fhX5.67 t -0.83 ft) 5372 b

Total vertical load: P- 1152 1b+ 1063lb 5372 lb- 7587 b

The sclf-wcight of thc retaining wall and thc soil

above the hecl tend to counteract the overtuming
moment. Moments taken about the front edge of
base (stem)

Stem wall: M = P(m2)

M -(1152 lb)(0.83 fu2) =478 ft-1b
Basc. M. PAbha 2) M= (1063 lb)(5.67 ft/2) =3014 f-lb
Soil: M, Pab -b/2) M (5372 lb(5.67 ft - 4.83 fU2) = 17,486 ft-Ib

Restoring moment Ma 478 fA-lb+ 3014 ft-lb- 17,486 ft-b = 20,978 ft-1b

The retained soil behind the wall exerts lateral

pressure H on the wall:
H = (C.Y. N2 ) H (0.271)120 pc?(10.5 fty}/2 = 1793 1b/t

Therefore, this lateral force tends to overturn the

retaining wall about the front edge of thestem

MoTu=H/3) Moru (1793 ti 10.5 /3) = 6276 ft-lb

Summation of moinents
AM M-Mon AM (20,978 t-lb) - (6276 tl-lb) = 14,702 ft-Ib

aci American Concrete Institute Copyrighted O Material

-
-

www.concrete.org
 CHAPTER 12-RETAINING WALLS 05

Soil pressure
Step S: The aforementioned detemined cantilever wall
13.3.1.1 basc is ehecked using unfactored forces and allow
ablc soil bearingpressure
To calculate soil pressure, the location ofthe veti
cal resultant force must be detennined.
The distance ofthe resultant to the front face of
stem

AM 14,702 f-b -194

a- ft
ap 7587 Ib

Eccentricity is the differene between the resultant

location and the basemid-length:
e=baue2-a e 5.67 ft/2- 1.94 ft =0.90 ft

Check if resultant falls within the middle third of 5.85 Tt 0.97 ft>e=09 t
6
the base.

Maximum and minimum soil pressure: Therefore, there is no uplift.

7587 lb (7587 160.90f)

91.2 (5.67 ft) /6
S (5.67 f(1 ft)
912 1338 psf 1274 psf
4max 2612 psf< qau =3000 psf
924min64 psf> 0 psf, no tension

Soil bearng pressure is acceptable.

Step6: Stability requirements

Calculate factor ofsafety against overturning:

FS-220 FS 20,978 3.3

MorM 6276 ft-lb
FS=3.5> 2.0 OK

Calculate the factor ofsafety against sliding:

(0.4)(7587 Ib) = 1.69
FS- 5s FS =
FS H (32.5 pct(10.5 fAy(10.5 f/2)
OK
FS 1.69 > 1.5
This calculation neglects the passive pressure
against the toe (conservative).

Conclusion: dimensions adequate to resist overturning, sliding. preventing uplift,

The retaining wall prelinminary
on the soil to less than the
Sure
retaining wall is designed for strength. If any
previous steps must be revised.
Note: Unfactored loads were
are
and limiting pres-
allowable provided soil pressure in
the geotechnical report. In the following steps,
the
of the aforementioned determined
dimensions are not satisfactory, then all the
wal and to calculate the soil pressure.
used to determine the stability of the retaining * * * ******* *********

American Concrete Institute

-
CopyrightedMaterial
-
www.concrete.org9 aci
 106 THE REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN HANDBOOK-SP-17(14)

Step 7: Stem design

The cantilevered concrete stem is a determinate
member and is modeled as a 1 ft wide cantilever KRRRR
bcam (refer to Fig. E6.4).

Elexure
13.2.7.1 The maximum design moment in the stem is calcu-
lated at the face of the base foundation.

Vertical reinforcement in the stem resists the lateral

carth pressure and is placed near the face of the S
stem wall that is against the retained soil. #5
12 in. o.C.
Adequate concrete cover protects reinforcenment
moisture changes in soil.
against Coverismeasured
from the concrete surface to the outemost surtace
ofthe reinforcing bar.

-Ca1sh
Fig. E6.4-Soil laterulforce on stem.
Stem height: h nem=(8 ft) +(2 ft 6 in.)-(1 ft 3 in.) =9 t 3 in.

20.6.1.3.1 From Table 20.6.1.3.1 use, 2 in. cover

21.2.2 Assume that the member is tension controlled:

steel strain &,=0.005 and o =0.9

Load factor
7.4.1.1 U= H,= 1.6H; when lateral pressure acts alone. H,= 1.6(32.5 pcf(9.25 f)(9.25 fiy2 =2225 Ib
5.3.8(a)
The moment is taken at the bottom of the ste1m and
above the base; M,= (2225 1b\9.25/3)) = 6860 ft-lb = 82.300 in.-lb
h 9.25 ft

7.5.1.1 Satisfy: oM,2 M,

22.2.2.1 The coucrete compressive strain at which ultimate
moments are devcloped is equal tos. = 0.003.

22.2.2.2 The tensile strength of concrete in flexure is a vari-

able property and its value is approximately 10 to
15 percent of the concrete compressive strength.
For calculating nominal strength ACI 318 neglects
the concrete tensile strength.

aci American Concrete Institute Copyrighted Material- www.concrete.org

 CHAPTER 12-RETAINING WALLS 107

Deternnine the equivalent concrete compressive

22.23
stress for design.
The concrele compresIVe stress listribution is
inelastic at high stress. The actual distribution of
conenete compressive stress is complex and usually
not known explicitly. The Code permits any stress
distribution to be assumed in design if shown to re
sult in predictions ofnominalstrength in reasonable
agreement with the results of comprehensive tests.
Rather than tests, the Code allows the use of an
equivalent rectangularcompressive stress distribu-
tion of O.8SJ.' with a depth of:
a Prc. where ß is a funetion of concrcte compres-
2.2.24.1
sive strength and is obtained from Table 22.2.2.4.3.

0.05(4500 psi-4000 psi) 0.825

22.2.24.3 For f"s 4500 psi
B, =0.85 1000 psi
=

Find the equivalent concrete compressive depth,a,

22.2.1.1
by equating the con1pression force and the tension
forcc within a unit length of the wall cross section:
C T
C 0.85f ba and T= A/, 0.85(4500 psi(12 in.(a) =A,(60.000 psi)
4,(60,000 psi) =1.314,
0.85(4500 psi)(12 in.)

Equating design moment strength and required

mo-
Calculate required reinforcement area:
ment strength, A, is:
M, =(60,000 psi)4,| 7.68in.- L.314
7.5.2.1
22.3
M4s-
21.2.1
Use flexure strength reduction factor: - 0.9
20.6.1.3.1 Assume No. 5 vertical reinforcement:

d 10 in. -2 in. -
0.625 in./2 =
7.68 in.
d= tswn-cover -d/2
use 2 in. cover

7.5.1.1 Substituting into: pM, 2 M, (0.9M60 ksi)4,| 7.68 in.- =82.3 in.-kip
2

M, =82.3 in.-kip calculated above.

A, =0.20 in.
Solving for A, (refer to Fig. E6.4):
No. 5 at 12 in. on center.
The cantilevered retaining wall calculatcd required Arpmsi#= 0.31 in.-ift> Aswy=0.2 in.ift
9.6.1.2
tensile reinforcement is usually very small com-

pared to the member concrete section. The stem re-

inforcement is checked against the beam minimum
rather than the
required flexural reinforcement area
reinforcement arca because
one-way slab minimum
of the lack of redundancy. The Code requires that
the beam reinforcement area at least the greater of:

A, min
34500 ps(12 in. X7.68 in.) =0.31 in:
60,000 psi

American Concrete Institute - Copyrighted M a t e r i a l - www.concrete.org

aci
 THE REINFORCED CONCRETE OESIGN HANDBOOR-$.171)

Use No 5 at 12 in on center
Eguation 0 61 2a) contnmls, becouse con rete
ompressive surength..4500pei m 0 3) in
4p 031 in - 4,0 31n
0 in OK
Check if the tensron cntrolled aseumption and the A
UNC of ¢ 09 is orat
To answcr the qucsthon, the tensile strain in ren
forcement must e tirst cakulatod and conpared
to the values in Table 21.22 Assune concrete and
nonprestrexsed reunfonement strain varying pro
portonal to the distance from the neutral axis (referc (131X0.31 in)0.49 in.
0.825
to Fig Eo.5

(0.003
7 . 6 8 in. -0.49 in.) = 0.044
0.49 in.
t, 0.044 >0.005

Section is tension controlled and o = 0.9.

where: c and a - 1.314, derived previously.

2 in. cover

0.003

I stem

Fig. E6.5-Strain distribution across stem.

Shear
7.4.3.2 The closest inclined crack to the support of the
cantilevered wall will extend upward from the face
of the base reaching the compression zone approxi-
mately d from the face of the base. The lateral load
applied to the cantulever between the face of the
base and point d away from the face are transfered
directly to the base by compression in the cantilc-
ver above the crack. Accordingly, the Code pemits
design for a maximum factored shear force K, at
a distance d from the support for nonprestressed
members.
For simplicity, the critical section for design shear hm =h-he 10.5 N- I.25 f= 9.25 ft
strength in this example is calculated at the bottomY,= 1.6432.5 pef)9.25 ft(9.25 fiu2) = 2225 Ib
of the stem
7.5.3.1 V, =2/4500 psi(12 in.)(7.68 in.) - 12,365 lb
22.5.5. =+,)=2 To,d
with V, = 0

21.2.1 Shear strength reduction factor: = 0.75

Therefore. V',= $V, is: ¢V, = (0.75)%(12,365 Ib) = 9273 lb

7.5.1.1 Is 2 , satisfied? V,=9273 Ib> K,=225 lb OK

Shear reinforcement is not
requured
aci American Concrete Institute Copyrighted Material
-

www.concrete.org
-
 CHAPTER 12-RETAINING WALLS 109

Step 8: Heel design

Shear Critical
The hase hecl is designcd for shear caused by the shear
superinposcd weight of soil, including self-weight section-
of heel. The soil pressure counteracting the
applicd
gravity loads is neglected as the soil pressure may C,1,h,
not be linear as assumed (refer to Fig. E66).

min
Fig. E6.6-Forre on heel.

21.2.1 Shear strength reduction factor: =0.75

The critical section for shear strength is taken at a
7.4.3.2
distance d from the boltonm of the stem:
7.5.3.1 V,+V)=2|/24
22.5.3.I
with V, = 0

d=15 in. -3 in. - 0.375 in. = 11.6 in.

20.6.1.3.1 d=lae- cover -dy2

From Table 20.6.1.3.1, use 3 in. cover to tension

reinforcement.
Assume No. 6 reinforcement

Then, V,= oV, is: V-(0.75)2 J4500 psi(12 in.)(11.6 in.)

=
14,007 Ib

A load factor of 1.2 is used for the concrete self

weight and 1.6 for backil self-weight. V.-(1.2X150 pef(4.84 ft-11.3 in./12)%1.25 f)
+(1.6(120 pct)(9.25 fi(4.84 - 11.6 in./ft)
V7750lb
V - 14,007 lb> V,= 750 b
Is oV,2 P, satistied?
7.5.1.1 Shearreiitorcenient is not required

American Concrete Institute-Copyrighted O Material - www.concrele.org aci

 110 THE REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN HANDB0OK-SP-17(14)

Elcure
The heel is subject to flexure causcd by the
supenmposed weight of soil and self-weight of
heel. The soil pressure counteracting the applied
grav ity loads is neglected as the soil pressure
may not be lincar as assumed. Thercfore, it is not
included in the calculation of flexure.

6.6.1.2 7hecantilever wall maximum moment and shear in

the heel and toe of the base occur at the stemface
Redistmbution of moments cannot occur.

5.3.1 A load factor of 1.2 is used for the conerete self- M = 1.2(150 pcf)(1.25 ft)(4.84 nP/2
5.3.8 weight and 1.6 for soil backfill. +1.6(120 pcf)(9.25 fi)(4.84 ft)/2
=
(2634 -lb) + (20,802 ft-lb)
23.347 -lb = 281.000 in.-lb

22.2.1.1 Setting C= T 0.85(4500 psi)(12 in.)(a) =4.(60,000 psi)

a A,(60,000 psi) = 1.314,
0.85(4500 psi)(12 in.)
7.5.2.1
M-14l- M-(60,000pai4,1.6 in.4
2

21.2.1 Strength reduction factor for flexure: 0.9

7.5.1.1 oM,2M, 0.9(60 ksi) 4, 11.6
in -2 2281 in.-kip
A1. =281 in.-kip, calculated above.

Solving for A: A,=0.46 in.

9.6.1.2 The cantilevered retaining wall caBlculated
tensile reinforcement is very small compared
to the member concrete section. To prevent a
sudden failure. the Code requires that the flexural
reinforcement area is at least the greater of:

(a)Aa smin 3/4500 pst(12 in.(11.5 in.) =

0.46 in
60,000 psi
Equation (9.6.1.2(a)) controls, because concrete
Use No. 7@12 in. on center (refer to Fig. E6.7)
compressive strength f"'=4500 psi. Aspror'0.6 in./ft > A,wvy= 0.46 in./ft OK
21.2.2 Check if the tension controlled
use of o = 0.9 is correct.
assunmption and the
* * * ******************************"***

aci American Concrete Institute

Copyrighted Material www.concrete.org
-

-
 CHAPTER 12-RETAINING WALLS
111

the tensile strain in

To answer the question.
reinforcement must be first calculated and (1.31)(0.60 in.)-0.95 in.
to the values in lable 21.2.2. Concrete 0.825
compared
and nonprestressed reimtorecment strain is assunmed

to varyproportionaly from the neutral axis. From

sinmilartriangles (rcfer Fig. E6.5):
to

0.003
-td-o) 0.95 in
-(11.6 in.-0.95in.)=0.0336

where: C = R and a = 1.314,derived previously.

60.0336>0.005
Scction is tension controlled and o =0.9.

#7@ 12 in. o.c.

3 in. cover

|Fig. E6.7-Heel reinforcement

Step 9: Toe design
Because the cantilever wall is* bult at the property line, there is no toe at the base.
reinforcement
Step 10: Minimumtransverse
Stem
11.6.1 Assume that No. 5 bars or smaller will be used for
temperature and shrinkage reinforcement. Per Table
l1.6.1:

=0.24 in.2
Prmin0.002 Asmin (0.002)(12 in.)(10 in.) in."2 =0.12 in.2
(Asminom =(4zminanck=0.24
No. 4 at 18 in. on center
Distribute shrinkage and temperature reinforcement Try
between the front and back face of the stem
equally
wall.
|Provide vertical reinforcement at front face to 0.133 in.
supportthe
transverse wall reinforcement. Ag. =(0.2in.
Asrog 0.12 in./face
18 in. on center
Use No. 4 spaced at

in./ft) =
1.84 in.2
Base be used (0.0018)(1.25 ft12 in./f)(5.67 fM(12
or smaller will
Assume that No. 5 bars
24.4.3 and shrinkage
reinforcement. The
and two No.5 at the
for temperature Use five No. 5 placed at the top
can be located
reinforcement
at the top. bottom, or bars for the dowel rein-
bottom as continuous nose
allocated between the
two faces.
extended into the stem (refer
to Fig. E6.8).
forcement

www.concrete.org aci
American Concrete Ing yrighte
112 THE REINFORCcED cONCRETE DESIGN HANDB0oK-$P-17(14)

Step11: Dowels
7.7.1.2 The development length concept is bused on the
25.4.2 attainable average bond stress over the embednient
Iength of rcinforccment.
Development lengths ure required because of the
tendency of highly stressed bars to split relatively
thin sections of restraining concrele.
In application., the development length concept
rcquircs minimun lengths or cxtensions of rein-
foreement beyond all points of peak stress in the
reinforcement. Such peak stresses gcnerally occur
at the points of critical sections for development
ofreinforcement in lexural members and at points
within a span where udjacent reinforcement termi-
nates, or is bent.
For the cantilevered wall, hecl reinforcement must
be properly devcloped. Hecl reinforcement is de
veloped beyond the stem critical section.
25.4.2.1 Development length, (, is the greaterof Eq.
(25.4.2.2) or (25.4.2.3) of ACI 318-14 and 12 in.:

25.4.2.2
1.e,=200

25.4.2.3 2.,- VV.v,

40 tK
a

25.4.2.4 In this example Eq. (25.4.2.3a) will be used.

V= bar location; not more than 12 in. of fresh
V1.0, because not more than 12 in. of concrete is
concrete below horizontal reinforcement
placed below bars.
VeCoating factor, uncoated ye 1.0, because bars are uncoated
= bar size factor, No. 7 and larger
V1.0, because bras are not larger than No:7
Chspacing or cover dimension to cénter of bar,
whichever is smaller 2.3125 in.t0-3.7>2.5
0.625 i
K= transverse reinforcement index
It is permitted to use K, = 0. 2.44 in.+-2.79> 2.5
0.875 in.
25.4.2.3 However, the cxpression: mnust not be
taken greater than 2.5. 2.25 in.+=
0.5 in.
4.5> 2.5
Note: the development length in the stem must be
checked against the splice length of stem reinforce| Therefore, use 2.5 for all three bar sizes in Eq. (25.4.2.3a)
ment and thbe larger length controls.

3 60,000 psi (1.00.0(1.0) d

40 (1.0) 4500 psi 2.5

No. .
dpro n.

23.5
*******

16.8
13.4
5

aci American Concrete Institute-Copyrighted Material-www.co

 113
CHAPTER 12-RETAINING WALLS

Splice No. In.

7.7.1.3 The maximun bar size is No. 7. therefore
splicinS 2 24
25.5 is permitted. 17.4 20
25.5.1.1
25.5.2.1 The No. 7 devclopmcnt in the stcm must bec
checked against the splicc length of the No. 5 bars
in the stem.
The deformmed bars are in tension and the ratio
of provided reinforcement area to required rein-
forcement area is less than 2. Therefore, per Table
21.5.2.1, splice Type B is used and the splice length
is the grcater of
(1.34a)or 12 in.

7.7.2 Clear spacing between bars is the greater of:

25.2.3 (a) 1.5 in. (a) 1.5 in.
(b) 1.5d (b) 1.5 (1.0 in.) = 1.5 in.
(c) 4/3dag (c) (4/3(1 in.) = 1.33 in.

Assume, l in. maximuin aggregate size is used. Thercfore. 1.5 in. controls.
Step 12: Details
3/4 in. 10 in.
chamfer
(typ.)

# 4 @ 18 in. o.c. each face

#4
12 in.
0.C.
# 5 1 2 in. o.c.

2 in.cover

20 in.

#7 3 in. cover
1 2 in. o.c. (7) #5
DWL
#4@
12 in. 0.C.
DWL # @
12 in. o.c.

- 3 in. 3 in. cover

12 in. over

15in.
3 in. cover
5 ft-8 in.
Fig. E6.8-Retainingwallreinforcement.

American Concrete Institute Copyrighted G Material www.concrete.org aci