Retaining Walls

CE 264 Geotechnical Engineering

Mark Albert H. Zarco
1st Semester 2019-2020
 Types of Retaining Walls
Gravity Cantilever
 Application of Earth Pressure Theory

Semi Gravity Gravity

Application of Earth Pressure Theory
 Failure Mechanisms
• Overturning
• Sliding
• Bearing Capacity Failure
• Deep-seated slope Failure
 Failure Mechanisms
Overturning Sliding
 Failure Mechanisms
Bearing Failure Slope Failure
Checking for Sliding & Overturning
 Checking for Sliding
• Factor of Safety Against Sliding
∑𝐹𝑅
𝐹𝑆𝑆 =
∑𝐹𝐷
• Passive force is generally ignored in
calculations.
• 𝛿 ′ = 𝑘1 𝜙 ′ and 𝑐𝑎 = 𝑘2 𝑐 ′ (where 𝑘1 and 𝑘2
1 2
generally range from to .
3 3
• FS>1.5 is generally acceptable.
 Increasing FS against Sliding
• Increase base width
• Use a shear key
• Use a dead man anchor
 Increasing FS against Sliding
• Sloped Heel
 Checking for Overturning
• Moments are taken about the toe of the wall.
• Factor of Safety Against Overturning
∑𝑀𝑅
𝐹𝑆𝑂 =
∑𝑀𝑂
• Resultant of bearing pressure should be within
the middle one-third of base width to ensure
full contact of foundation.
• FS>2.0 is generally acceptable.
 Checking for Bearing Capacity Failure
𝐵 ∑ 𝑀𝑅 −∑𝑀𝑂
• Eccentricity: 𝑒 = −
2 ∑𝑉
∑𝑉 6𝑒 𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡
• 𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 1+ ≤
𝐵 𝐵 𝐹𝑆𝐵
∑𝑉 6𝑒
• 𝑞𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 1− ≥0
𝐵 𝐵
• Inclination and eccentricity of loads should be
considered when computing 𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡
• 𝐹𝑆𝐵 equal to 3.0 is acceptable. Settlement is not
considered in the computation of 𝐹𝑆𝐵 .
 Checking For Slope Failure
• Compute factor of safety using an appropriate
method.
• Allowable factor of safety depends on
reliability of parameters and consequences of
failure.
Construction and Expansion Joints
Wall Drainage
 Criteria for Filter Material
Retention Drainage
𝐷15 𝐹 𝐷15 𝐹
• <5 • >4
𝐷85(𝐵) 𝐷15(𝐵)
Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls
Reinforcements General Considerations
• Metal Strips • Internal Stability
• Non-biodegrable/UV – Check to determine if stresses
in reinforcing elements are
resistant fabrics within allowable limits
• Geogrids – Check to determine if stresses
are within pull-out limits.
• External Stability
– Sliding
– Overturning
– Bearing Capacity
– Slope Stability