Design of Retaining Wall

Our previous article, Retaining Wall: A Design Approach discusses the principle and
concept behind and when and where to consider a retaining wall in our design. We have
learned the different checks against the mode of failures in the retaining wall should be
considered in the design. To further understand the designed approach, here is a worked
example of the design of the retaining wall.
This example is intended to be readily calculated by hand although a lot of
structural spreadsheets and software such as Prokon are available. The purpose of this
article is for the reader to fully understand the principle behind it.
Worked Example:
 Figure
A.1-Retaining Wall Cross Section
Consider the cantilever retaining wall with the cross-section shown in the above Figure A.1,
which retains a 2m depth of soil having the groundwater table at -1.0m level.

Design Parameters:
 Soil Bearing Capacity, qall : 100 kPa
 Coefficient of Soil Friction, ф: 30°
 Unit Weight of Soil, ɣs: 18 kN/m3
 Unit Weight of Water, ɣw: 10 kN/m3
 Unit Weight of Concrete, ɣc: 25 kN/m3
 Surcharge, ω: 12 kN/m2
 Ground Water Level: -1m from 0.00 level
 Height of Surcharge, h: 0.8m
 Height of Wall: 2.0m
 f’c: 32 Mpa
 fy: 460 Mpa
 concrete cover: 75mm
1. Analytical Geometry and Variables
Before we proceed with the design, it is important for the designer to know the geometric
variable and parameters of the retaining wall. Refer to Figure A.2 below.
 Figure A.2-Retaining Wall Geometric Variables

where:

 H: Height of the retaining wall

 L: Width of the base
 D: Thickness of the base
 B: Width of the toe
 C: Stem thickness at the bottom
 T: Stem thickness at the top
2. Approximate Proportions of a Cantilever Retaining Wall
The next thing to consider is the assumptions that we can make in terms of the geometry of
the retaining wall that we are designing. Given the height, H of the retaining wall, we can
assume or counter check our initial design considerations should at least according to the
following geometric proportions:

 Base width: L= 0.5H to 2/3H

 Thickness of base: D= 0.10H
 Stem thickness at the bottom: C=0.10H
 Width of the toe: B= 0.25L to 0.33L
 Stem thickness at the top: t=250mm (minimum)
Based on the above approximate geometric proportions, let us assumed the following
parameters to be used in our design:

 Base width: L= 1.5m

 Base thickness: D= 0.25m
 Stem thickness: C=t =0.25m
 Width of Toe: B= 0.625m
3. Analytical Model
Sketches of the retaining wall forces should be considered to properly distinguish the
different forces acting on our retaining wall as tackled in the previous article, Retaining
 Wall: A Design Approach. Based on our example in Figure A.1, we have the forces due to
soil pressure, due to water and surcharge load to consider. Figure A.3 below is most likely
our analytical model.

READ ALSO: The Sequence of Actual Construction

Figure A.3-Retaining Wall Forces Diagram

Considering the Figure A.3, we can derive the following equation for the active pressures,
Pa and passive pressure Pp. Notice that the pressures acting on the wall are equivalent to
the area (triangle) of the pressure distribution diagram. Hence,

 Pa1=1/2 ɣKaH2 →eq. 1, where H is the height of retained soil

 Pa2=1/2 ɣHw2 →eq.2, where Hw is the height of the groundwater level
 Pa3=ωKah →eq.3, where h is the height of surcharge
The passive pressure, Pp would be:

 Pp=1/2 ɣkpHp2 →eq.4

Values of Coefficient of Pressure, ka and kp
According to Rankine and Coulomb Formula, the following are the equation in calculating
the coefficient of pressure:

Ka= (1-sin ф)/(1+sin ф)

Ka= 0.33

Kp= (1+sin ф)/(1-sin ф)

Kp= 3

Substituting the values, we have the following results:


o Pa1=1/2 ɣkaH2 = 11.88kN
o Pa2=1/2 ɣHw2= 5kN
o Pa3=ωkah= 3.17 kN
o Pp=1/2 ɣkpHp2= 9.72kN
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.

Figure
A.4-Retaining Wall Weight Components
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: W1= 18kN/m3 x 0.6m x 0.625m x 1.0m = 6.75kN
o Weight due to footing: W2= 0.9 x 25kN/m3 x 0.25m x 1.5m x 1.0m = 8.44kN
o Weight due to wall: W3= 0.9 x 25kN/m3 x 0.25m x 2.0m x 1.0m = 11.25kN
o Weight due to soil: W4= 18kN/m3 x 0.625m x 2.0m x 1.0m = 22.5kN
o Weight due to water: W5= 10kN/m3 x 0.625m x 1.0m x 1.0m = 6.25kN
o Weight due to surcharge: Ws= 18kN/m3 x 0.625m x 0.8m x 1.0m = 9kN
o Total Weight, WT = 64.19kN
3.1 Check for Overturning Moment:
To satisfy the Overturning Moment Stability, the following equation should follow:

where:


o RM: Righting Moment due to the weight of the retaining wall
o OM: Overturning Moment due to lateral earth pressure
With reference to the Figure A.4 diagram and taking moment at the point, P conservatively
neglecting the effect of passive pressure hence:

 RM= W1 (0.313) + W2 (0.75) + W3(0.75) + W4(1.19) + W5(1.19) + Ws(1.19) = 61.80 kNm

 OM= Pa1 (0.67) +Pa2 (0.33) +Pa3 (0.4) = 10.88kNm

READ ALSO: Consultant vs. Contractor

RM/OM = 5.68 > 2.0, hence SAFE in Overturning Moment!

3.2 Check for Sliding
To satisfy the stability against sliding, the following equation should govern:
 where:


o RF: Resisting Force
o SF: Sliding Force
The sliding check should be carried out with reference to the Figure A.4 diagram and
considering the summation of vertical forces for resisting force and horizontal forces for
sliding force conservatively neglecting the passive pressure, hence:

 RF= W1+W2+W3+W4+W5+ Ws = 64.19kN

 SF= Pa1+Pa2+Pa3 = 16.70kN
RF/SF = 3.84 > 1.5, hence SAFE for Sliding!
4. Check the Wall Thickness for Shear
The nominal shear is equal to the lateral forces on the retaining wall, neglecting the effect of
passive pressure which will give us:

 Nominal Shear, Vn = 20.05kN

 Ultimate Shear, Vu = 1.6Vn = 32.08kN
For the thickness of the wall to be safe in shear, the ultimate shear, Vu should less than the
allowable shear, Vallow as recommended by the ACI 318 code.

Vc = 0.17√fc’bwd
where: ф=0.75

bw=1000mm
d= 250mm-75mm-6mm = 169mm

Vc = 0.17√fc’bwd = 162.52kN
Vallow= 121.89kN
Since Vu < Vallow, hence SAFE in Shear!
5. Design the Wall Stem for Flexure
 Nominal Moment, Mn = 10.88kNm
 Ultimate Moment, Mu = 1.6Mn = 17.40kNm
Mu =φ fc’ bd2ω (1- 0.59 ω)
17.40×106 = 0.90 x 32 x 1000 x 1692 ω (1-0.59 ω)
ω = 0.0216

ρ = ω fc’/fy= 0.00150

As= ρbd = 0.00150x1000x169 = 254mm2

Asmin= ρminbt = 0.002 x 1000 x 250 = 500mm2
Required Vertical Bar: Try T10-200; As act= 392mm2 x 2 sides = 785.4mm2
Required Horizontal Bar: Try T10-250; As act= 314mm2 x 2 sides= 628.32mm2
Hence: use T10-200 for vertical bar and T10-250 for horizontal bar.
6. Check for Bearing Pressure under Footing
 The foundation bearing capacity usually governs the design of the wall. The soil, particularly
under the toe of the foundation, is working very hard to resist the vertical bearing loads,
sliding shear, and to provide passive resistance to sliding. The bearing capacity of the soil
should be calculated taking into account the effect of simultaneous horizontal loads applied
to the foundation from the soil pressure.

For the footing to be safe in soil pressure, the maximum soil pressure under working load
shall be less than the allowable soil bearing capacity. The maximum soil bearing pressure
under the footing considering 1m strip is:

where:


o P= 64.19kN
o A= (1×1.5) m2
o M=10.88 kNm
o b= 1m
o d=1.5m
Substituting the values above will give us:

qmax= 71.81kPa < qall=100 kPa, hence, oK!

Solving for Ultimate bearing pressure:

where:


o P= 1.6x 6.75 + 1.4×8.44 +1.4×11.25 +1.6x 22.5 +1.6×6.25 +1.6×9= 98.76kN
o A= (1×1.5) m2
o M=17.40kNm
o b= 1m
o d=1.5m
Substituting the values above will give us:
 qumax= 112.24kN
 qumin= 19.44kN
7. Check the Required Length of the Base
If qumin is in tension check the required length otherwise ignore if it is in compression. Since
our qumin is tension (+), the value of L must be computed as follows:

READ ALSO: Concrete Shear Wall Design

 Figure A.5-Pressure Diagram under Tension

From Figure A.5:

Solve for Eccentricity:

e=M/P = 0.176

where:


o a=length of pressure
o qe= qumax
o b=1 meter strip


o a= 1.75m
L= 2(e+a/3) = 1.52 say 1.6m
8. Check the Adequacy of Footing Thickness for Wide Beam
Shear
 Fig A.6-Pressure Diagram under Compression

8.1 When qumin is in Compression

Solving for y by similar triangle: referring to Figure A.6 above

y/1.044 = (112.24-19.44)/1.5; y = 64.59 kPa
qc= 19.44 + 64.59 = 84.03 kPa

 L’= (1.5m-1.044m) = 0.456m

 B= 1m strip
 qumax=112.24kPa
Vu= 44.75kN
8.2 When qumin is in Tension
qc=y
Solving for y by similar triangle: (referring to Figure A.6 above, L=a=1.75)
y/1.244= 112.24/1.75; y = 79.79 kPa

qc=79.79kPa
Vu= 1/2 (qc + qumax) L’b
 L’= (1.6m-1.244m) = 0.356m
 B= 1m strip
 qumax=112.24 kPa
Vu=34.18kN
Hence, use: Vu=44.75kN
Vallow= фVc
Vc = 0.17√fc’bwd
where:
 
o ф=0.75
o bw=1000mm
o d= 250mm-75mm-6mm = 169mm
Vc = 0.17√fc’bwd = 162.52kN
Vallow= 121.89kN
Since Vu < Vallow, hence SAFE in Shear!
9. Check the Wall Thickness for Flexure

Figure A.7-Pressure Diagram for Flexure Check

9.1 When qumin is in Compression

Solving for y by similar triangle:(referring to Figure A.7 above)

y/0.875 = (112.24-19.44)/1.5; y = 54.13 kPa

qc= 19.44 + 54.13 = 73.57 kPa

Mu= (73.57×0.625) x (0.625/2) + (38.67×0.625) (1/2) x (2/3) (0.625) → (area of trapezoid x
lever arm)
Mu=19.40 kNm
9.2 When qumin is in Tension
qc= qumin + y
Solving for y by similar triangle: (referring to Figure A.7 above. L=a=1.75)

y/1.075 = 112.24/1.75; y = 68.95 kPa

qc=19.44 + 68.95= 88.39 kPa

 Mu = (88.39×0.75) x (0.75/2) + (23.85×0.75) (1/2) x (2/3) (0.75) → (area of trapezoid x
lever arm)
Mu= 19.40kNm
Hence, use Mu=29.33kNm
Mu =φ fc’ bd2ω (1- 0.59 ω)
29.33×106 = 0.90 x 32 x 1000 x 1692 ω (1-0.59 ω)
ω = 0.0364

ρ = ω fc/fy= 0.002532

As= ρbd = 0.002532x1000x169 = 428mm2

Asmin= ρminbt = 0.002 x 1000 x 250 = 500mm2
Required Vertical Bar: Try T10-200; As act= 392mm2 x 2 sides = 785.4mm2
Required Horizontal Bar: Try T10-250; As act= 392mm2 x 2 sides= 628.32mm2
10. Reinforcement Details of Retaining Wall

The presented calculations above are actually too tiring to perform manually especially if
you are doing a trial and error design. Thanks to structural design soft
wares and spreadsheets, available nowadays, our design life will be easier.
Our team developed a user-friendly spreadsheet for the design of cantilever retaining
wall based on the above calculation. Grab your copy here!