Gravity Retaining Wall

1. Set reasonable dimensions:

2. In case of surcharge:
𝑠 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒
Height of surcharge = h’ = 𝑤 = 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑡.𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙
3. Coefficients:
1−𝑠𝑖𝑛ϕ
 Active Pressure = Kah = 1+𝑠𝑖𝑛ϕ ,where ϕ is the angle of friction
1+𝑠𝑖𝑛ϕ
 Passive Pressure = Kph = 1−𝑠𝑖𝑛ϕ

4. Earth Thrust or Active Pressure:

5. Check:
a. Overturning:
Overturning Moment = Mo = P x y
Restoring Moment = Mr = W. x
where W is the weight of individual sections of retaining wall and x is the distance of the line of action of
each sub weight from the front edge. Compute ∑W and ∑Mr of the entire retaining wall.
∑𝐌𝐫
FOS against Overturning = > 2 (OK) otherwise revise section.
𝑀0

b. Sliding:
Resisting Friction = F = friction coefficient x total weight of retaining wall = f x ∑W
𝑭
FOS against sliding = > 1.5 (OK) otherwise add Passive Pressure with resisting friction.
𝑷𝒂𝒉
𝟏
Pp = 𝟐 w. h2. Kph
𝑭+𝐏𝐩
FOS against sliding = < 1.5 (OK) otherwise add shear key or longer heel.
𝑷𝒂𝒉

c. Bearing Pressure:
∑𝐌𝐫−𝐌𝐨
a= ∑𝐖

q < qa (allowable Pressure)

Cantilever Retaining Wall
1. Set reasonable dimensions:

a. Roughly estimate thickness of footing using above diagram.

b. For thickness of Arm, Moment (Mu) with respect to arm bottom is to be determined.
𝑠 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒
 Height of surcharge = h’ = 𝑤 = 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑡.𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙
1−𝑠𝑖𝑛ϕ
 Active Pressure = Kah = 1+𝑠𝑖𝑛ϕ ,where ϕ is the angle of friction

 h = height of arm

Mu =1.6( P x y)
𝑀𝑢
R = ϕ bd^2 ------- (1)

To find ρmax for given fc’ and fy.

600 𝑓𝑐′
ρmax = 0.85 x 𝑓𝑦+1200 x x β , where β = 0.65
𝑓𝑦

Check R against 40% ρmax

 Putting R in equation (1) gives depth of arm
𝑑𝑖𝑎.𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑟
For Arm thickness = d + cc. + (adjust thickness accordingly)
2

c. Check for Shear for Arm ( To satisfy selected d )

For Arm, D.L factor = 1.6
Check for Shear for Arm at distance d above the base of arm.
Use h = height of arm – d , for Pressure P
Vu = P x 1.6
ϕVc = ϕ2λ (√ fc’) bd
Vu < ϕVc (OK) otherwise revise d.
d. Select remaining dimensions of the retaining wall.
After Selecting & Calculating Suitable Dimensions
2. Earth Thrust or Active Pressure for entire Retaining Wall:

3. Check:
a. Overturning:
Overturning Moment = Mo = P x y
Restoring Moment = Mr = W. x
where W is the weight of individual sections of retaining wall and x is the distance of the line of action of
each sub weight from the front edge. Compute ∑W and ∑Mr of the entire retaining wall.
∑𝐌𝐫
FOS against Overturning = > 2 (OK) otherwise revise section.
𝑀0

b. Bearing Pressure:
In view of the added vertical load, however, the bearing pressure is largest when the surface is loaded to
start of Arm. For this case,
W = ∑W + surcharge intensity × width of surcharge
 Mr = ∑Mr+ surcharge intensity × width of surcharge × distance from edge of toe to width center
∑𝐌𝐫−𝐌𝐨
a= ∑𝐖

q1 & q2 < qa (allowable Pressure)

c. Sliding:
 In case of shear key the sliding proceeds between concrete and soil along the heel and), but takes
place within the soil in front of the key. We will find resisting friction for Toe and (Heel & Key)
along with the Passive Pressure.
 For the Heel & Key the friction coefficient f will be used while for the Toe side the sliding occur
within the soil so coefficient for internal friction tan ϕ will be used.
 The Bearing Pressure at the start and end of Key will be determined using formula:
𝑞1−𝑞2
qa = q1 - 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ x length of span till start of Shear Key
𝑞1−𝑞2
qb = q1 - 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ x length of span till end of Shear Key

Total Resistance to Sliding:

Friction, toe : (q1 + qa) × 0.5 × span of toe × tan ϕ

Friction, heel and key: qa × 0.5 × span of heel + key × f

1
Passive earth pressure: Pp = 2 w. h2. Kph

𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈

FOS against sliding = > 1.5 (OK)
𝑷𝒂𝒉
4. Design :

a. Arm & Key:

 Mu for Arm, already determined in step 1.
 Thickness & Effective depths are already known.
𝑀𝑢
 Using, Ru = ϕ𝑏𝑑^2

 Steel Ratio (ρ)

  Area of Reinforcement (As): As = ρbd
 The Bending Moment in the Arm decreases rapidly as the distance from the bottom increases.
 For this reason, only part of the main reinforcement is needed at higher elevations, and alternate
bars will be discontinued where no longer needed.
 To determine the cutoff point, the moment diagram for the arm is to be drawn by computing
bending moments at intermediate levels.
 Find the resisting moment provided by the selected bars (alternate) at the bottom using formula,
Φ.As.fy 𝑎 𝐴𝑠 .𝑓𝑦
ΦMn(Bottom) = x (d (Bottom) - 2 ) where, a = 0.85 𝑓𝑐 ′ .𝑏
𝑏

 Find the resisting moment of the same bars at the top using d(Top) .
d(Top)
ΦMn (Top) = ΦMn(Bottom) x
d (Bottom)

 ACI Code 9.7.3.3 specifies that any bar shall be extended beyond the point at which it is no longer
needed to carry flexural stress for a distance equal to d or 12 bar diameters, whichever is greater.
fy .ψt .ψe
 Development Length : ld = x db where,
20λ √fc′

𝛹t =bar location factor

𝛹t =1.3 for top bars defined as horizontal reinforcement, placed so that more than 12 in. of fresh
concrete is below the development length, or splice
𝛹t =1.0 for all other reinforcement
𝛹e =coating factor
𝛹e =1.5 for epoxy-coated bars or wires with cover less than 3db or clear spacing less than 6db
𝛹e =1.2 for all other epoxy coated bars or wires
𝛹e =1.0 for uncoated and zinc-coated (galvanized) reinforcement
(However, the value of the 𝛹t𝛹e product should not exceed 1.7.

Construction Sequence and Joint Placement

 Footing First: The footing is placed before the arm.

 Construction Joint: A joint is provided at the base of the arm to separate the arm and footing construction
phases.
 Main Bars and Dowels: Main bars in the arm end at the base slab, with dowels extending from the footing
to splice with the arm's reinforcement.

Challenges with Splices

 Stress Concentrations: Splicing all bars in one section with simple contact splices can lead to concrete
splitting due to stress concentrations.
 Solutions:
o Welded Splices: Avoid stress concentration but increase costs.
o Staggered Bars: Alternate bars are discontinued at specific heights, allowing some dowels to
remain unspliced.
Splice Length Requirements

 ACI Code Class B Splice: For tension splices, the required splice length is 1.3 times the development
length.
 Calculated Splice Length < height where alternate bars will be discontinued

Termination of Flexural Reinforcement

 ACI Code Guidelines for Termination in Tension Zone: Reinforcement can be terminated if:
1. Shear does not exceed two-thirds of the allowed value.
2. Excess shear reinforcement is provided.
3. Continuing reinforcement provides sufficient strength, and shear remains within three-fourths of
the design value.

Minimum Reinforcement Ratio Check:

Dowel Extensions and Key Design

 Dowel Bends: Extended into the key for embedment and anchorage.
 Force Resistance: Reinforced key is designed to resist separation and transfer forces, primarily through
friction and reinforcement.
 Key Slope: Sloping sides ensure excavation does not loosen adjacent soil, maintaining proper function.

Shrinkage and Temperature Reinforcement

 Horizontal Reinforcement: Asmin = 0.0020bh / 2

 Vertical Steel: Asmin = 0.0012bh / 2

b. Toe Slab
i. Load calculation to be resisted:
 Determine Bearing Pressure of soil (qa & qb) for surcharge at a & b
 Choose the more severe loading case results from surcharge.
ii. Load Factor:
 A load factor of 1.6 will be applied to the service load bearing pressures and the self-weight of the toe slab
tends to reduce design moments and shears, it will be multiplied by a load factor of 0.9.
iii. Moments:
 Determine the moments with respect to outer face of stem for qa & qb (upward pressure and self-weight of
toe slab.
 Mu = 1.6 (Area of soil surcharge 1 (Aq1) x distance from stem face(UVL) + Area of soil surcharge 2 (Aqa)
x distance from stem(UVL)) -0.9 (self-weight of toe x length of toe x distance from face of stem(UDL))
iv. Effective Depth:
 For concrete cast against and permanently exposed to earth, a minimum protective cover for steel of 3 in.
𝑑𝑖𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑟
is required; if the bar diameter is about 1 in., the effective depth will be d = h – c.c - 2

v. Area of Reinforcement:
𝑀𝑢
 Using, Ru = ϕ𝑏𝑑^2

 Steel Ratio (ρ)

 Area of Reinforcement (As): As = ρbd
3 √𝑓𝑐′
 Asmin = 𝑏𝑑
𝑓𝑦

 The required length of embedment for these bars past the exterior face of the stem is the full development
length. Thus, they will be continued full development length past the face of the wall.
vi. Shear Check:
 Shear will be checked at a distance d from the face of the stem.
1 1
Vu = 1.6 (2 q1 (length of toe – d) + 2 qd (length of toe – d)) – 0.9 (Self weight of toe x (length of toe – d))

ϕVc = ϕ2λ (√ fc’) bd

Vu < ϕVc (OK) otherwise revise d.

c. Heel Slab:
i. Moment:
 The upward reaction of the soil will be neglected here, loaded by surcharge (external + above heel).
Mu = 1.6 (Area of external surcharge x distance from stem face (UDL) + Area of soil surcharge above
heel x distance from stem(UDL)) +1.2 (self-weight of heel x length of heel x distance from face of
stem(UDL))
ii. Effective Depth:
 For concrete cast against and permanently exposed to earth, a minimum protective cover for steel of 3 in.
𝑑𝑖𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑟
is required; if the bar diameter is about 1 in., the effective depth will be d = h – c.c – 2

iii. Area of Reinforcement:

𝑀𝑢
 Using, Ru = ϕ𝑏𝑑^2

 Steel Ratio (ρ)

 Area of Reinforcement (As): As = ρbd
 3 √𝑓𝑐 ′
 Asmin = 𝑏𝑑
𝑓𝑦

iv. Shear Check:

 Shear will be checked at back face of the stem.
Vu = 1.6 (self-weight of arm (length of heel)) + 1.2 (Self weight of toe x (length of heel))
ϕVc = ϕ2λ (√ fc’) bd
Vu < ϕVc (OK) otherwise revise d.