Semester 1 2018/2019

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE RETAINING WALL

Ir. Dr. Zainorizuan Mohd Jaini

Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engneering
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia
86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
 Introduction
❑ Retaining walls are usually built to hold back soil mass in the
conventional approaches.
❑ Known as structures that are constructed to retain backfill or
any such materials which in nature unable to stand vertically by
themselves.
❑ They are also provided to maintain the grounds at two different
levels.
❑ Types of retaining wall:

- Gravity wall - Cantilever wall

• Masonry - Counterfort wall
• Precast block - Buttress wall
• Gabion - Piling wall (Sheet/ CBP)
• Poured concrete - Anchored wall
- Crib wall
2
 Introduction

Gravity Retaining Wall*

Cantilever
Retaining Wall**

*Non-reinforced
**Reinforced concrete
element
Counterfort Retaining Buttressed Retaining
Wall** Wall**
3
 Introduction
❑ Cantilever wall (in-situ or precast) is the common type used in
many constructions of building and infrastructure.

4
 Introduction

No. Type Descriptions

1 Gravity wall Stability is provided by the weight of the
concrete in the wall.
2 Cantilever wall Wall acts as a vertical cantilever.
Stability is provided by the weight of
structure and earth on an inner base or
the weight of the structure only when
the base is constructed externally.
3 Counterfort The slab is supported on the three sides
and buttress by the base and counterfort or buttress.
wall Stability is provided by the weight of the
structure in the case of buttress and by
the weight of structure and earth on the
base in the counterfort wall.
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 Design Consideration

❑ Component:

Steel reinforcement

50mm weep hole Drainage mat with

@ 1-2m filter fabric
Porous backfill
50mm minimum
cover

Perforated drainpipe
sloped to drain away
from the wall
75mm minimum
Frostline
cover

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 Design Consideration

❑ Typical size:

7 Height of key = 2.5 height of base

 Design Consideration
❑ Design procedure (cantilever retaining wall):
− Assume a breath for the base is 0.75 of the wall height.
− Determine the preliminary thickness for the wall and base
section, normally 300mm and 0.1H respectively.
− Calculate the horizontal pressure on the wall.
− By considering all forces, check stability against overturning
and the vertical pressure under the base.

Horizontal Pressure on the wall

pressure
and base
Net pressure

outer footing Inner footing

Pressure
8
 Design Consideration
− Calculate and check the resistance to overturning and
sliding. Use partially safety factor, γf as follows:

Type of Partially Safety Factor

Moment/ Force Permanent Variable
Stability/ Restraining 0.9
Overturning 1.1 1.5
Resisting force 1.0
Sliding force 1.35 1.5

− The maximum vertical pressure is calculated using service

load and should not exceed safe bearing pressure.
− The design of wall and base must be conducted by using
the ultimate load.

9
 Design Consideration
− Surcharge if present may be classed as either dead or
imposed load depending on its nature.
− For the wall, calculate shear force and moments caused by
the horizontal earth pressure.
− Design the vertical moment steel for the inner face and
check the shear stresses.
− Minimum secondary steel is provided in the horizontal
direction for the inner face and both vertically and
horizontally for the outer face.
− The net moment due to earth pressure on the top and
bottom faces of the inner footing causes tension in the top
and reinforcement is designed for this position.
− The moment due to earth pressure causes tension in the
bottom face of the outer footing.

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 Earth Pressure

Mass of wall acts downward Active earth

pressure
behind wall
– wedge or
retained
earth plus
any
hydrostatic
Passive earth pressure in pressure
front of wall

Ground pressure (passive)

or subsoil reaction
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 Earth Pressure
❑ Active soil pressure:
− Two cases known as cohesionless soil such as sand and
cohesive soil such as clay.
− The active soil pressure is due to the level of backfill.
− If there is a surcharge of w.kN/m2 on the soil behind the wall,
this is equivalent to an additional soil depth of

w
z=

where: w is surcharge in kN/m2 and γ is the density of soil in
kN/m3.
− Active soil pressure at as non-uniform triangular force
(hydrostatic) with the centroid at 1/3 of the wall height.
− Surcharge acts as uniformly distribute force added to active
soil pressure.
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 Earth Pressure
− For cohesionless soil (c = 0), the pressure at any depth, z is
given by:
1 − sin 
 = z
1 + sin 
where:  is the density of soil and  is the friction angle.
Meanwhile, the force on the wall of height H1 is:
1 − sin 
P1 = 0.5 H12
1 + sin 
− For cohesive soil (  = 0 ), the pressure at any depth, z is
given by:
 = (  z ) − 2c

This expression gives negative value near top of the wall. In

practice, a value for the active soil pressure is < 0.25 z .
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 Earth Pressure
❑ Vertical pressure under the base:
− The vertical pressure under the base in calculated for the
service load.
− For a cantilever wall, 1m length of wall with based width, b is
consider; then the area and modulus of section area:
A = b  1 m = b m2 ; Z = b 2 / 6 m 3
− The sum of the moment of all vertical forces about the
center of the base and active pressure on the wall is:
 M = W ( x − b / 2 ) − P1 ( H1 / 3 )
− The passive earth pressure in front of the base can been
neglected. The maximum pressure is:

Pmax =
 W M

This should not exceed the
safe bearing pressure on
A Z the soil
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 Stability
❑ Wall stability
− The vertical loads are made up of the weight of the wall and
base, and the weight of the backfill on the base. Front fill on
the outer base can be neglected.
− Surcharge would need to be included if present.
− The critical condition for overturning is when a maximum
horizontal force acts with minimum vertical load.

Overturning Sliding along Bearing

about its toe the base capacity
failure of
supporting
base
*Excessive settlement may occur if weak soil layer
*is located below the foundation within 1.5 times
*foundation width.
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 Stability
− To guard against failure by overturning, it is usual to apply
conservative factors of safety to the force and loads.
− If the centre of gravity of these loads is x from the toe of the
wall, the stabilizing moment is ΣWx with partial safety factor
is γf = 0.9.
− The overturning moment due to the active earth pressure is
1.1P1 (H1/3) with adverse partial safety factor γf = 1.1.
− The unfavourable effects of the variable surcharge loading
are multiplied by the partial safety factor of γf = 1.5.
− The stabilizing moment from passive earth pressure can
been neglected.
− For the wall to satisfy the requirement of stability:
 H1 
 Wx   f 1
P
 3 

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 Stability
❑ Resistance to sliding
− Cohesionless soil: The friction R between the base and the
soil is μΣM where μ is the coefficient of friction between the
base and the soil (μ = tanø). The passive earth force against
the front of the wall from a depth H2 soil is:
1 + sin 
P2 = 0.5 H2 2
1 − sin 

− Cohesive soils: The adhesion R between the base and the

soil is βb where β is the adhesion in kN/m2. The passive
earth pressure is P2 = 0.5 H22 + 2cH2 .
− A nib can be added to increase the resistance to sliding
through passive earth pressure.
− For the wall to be safe against sliding,1.0Gk   f Hk where
Hk is the horizontal active earth pressure on wall

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 Detailing

❑ Reinforcement arrangement:

18
 Detailing

❑ Reinforcement arrangement:

19
 Design of Retaining Wall

Example 5.1:

Cantilever Retaining Wall

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 Example 5.1
❑ Cantilever retaining walls as in Figure 1 support a bank of earth
4.5m height. The soil behind the wall is well-drained sand with
the following properties:

- Density, γsoil = 2000 kg/m3 = 20 kN/m3

- Angle of internal friction, ø = 30o

The material under the wall has a safe bearing pressure of

110 kN/m2. The coefficient of friction between the base and the
soil is 0.45.

Design the wall using grade C30 concrete and grade S500
reinforcement.

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 Example 5.1

4500
4500
P1

400 1700
134.2 kN P1
600
H2
P2 400
800
B 2200
400 A C
H2 134.2 kN
59.73 kN/m600
H2

2
P2 400
800 2200
3400
98.15 kN/m2

59.73 kN/m2

3400
98.15 kN/m2
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 Example 5.1
❑ Force on the wall due to active pressure
1 − sin  1 − sin30
Earth pressure,  =  H1 = 20(4.9)
1 + sin  1 + sin30

= 32.34kN/m2
For 1m length of wall,
Horizontal load = 0.5 ( 32.34 )( 4.9 )( 1.0 ) = 79.23kN

❑ Maximum soil pressure

The base properties area, A = 3.4  1m (width) = 3.4 m2
Modulus, Z = 3.42 /6=1.93m3
Maximum soil pressure at toe is:
W  M 271.4 129.41 − 91.22
Pmax = + = + = 99.6kN/m2
A Z 3.4 1.93

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99.6kN/m2  110kN/m2 (OK)
 Example 5.1
Horizontal load Distance from Moment about
Load
(kN) C (m) C (kNm)

Active
79.23 1/3(4.9) = 1.63 -129.41
pressure

Vertical load Distance from Moment about

(kN) B (m) B (kNm)
Wall [0.5 (0.3+0.4)4.5] x 1.0 x 25
0.7 - 27.58
= 39.4

Footing 0.4 x 3.4 x 1.0 x 25 = 34 0 0

Backfill 2.2 x 4.5 x 1.0 x 20 = 198 0.6 118.8

Total 271.4 91.22

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 Example 5.1
❑ Check stability and overturning
The stability moment (restraining moment) about the toe A of
the wall for a partial safety factor γf = 0.9 is:
1

Stability moment = 91.22 + (271.4 x 1.7)

Stability moment = 0.9 x 552.6 = 497.34kNm
1

The overturning moment for a partial safety factor γf = 1.1 is:

Overturning moment = γf (moment about C)

Overturning moment = 1.1 x 129.41 = 142.35 kNm

Stability moment > Overturn moment

The stability of the wall is adequate

25
 Example 5.1
❑ Check resistance to sliding
The forces resisting sliding are the friction under the base and
the passive resistance for a depth of earth:
1 + sin 
Passive force, P2 = 0.5 H22
1 − sin 
= 0.5 ( 20 )( 0.6 ) ( 3 ) = 10.8
2

Friction force = 0.45 x 271.4 = 122.13kN

Total resistance force = 10.8 + 122.13 = 1.0 x132.9 = 132.9kN

Sliding force = γf (horizontal load) = 1.4 x 79.23 = 110.9kN

The resistance to sliding is satisfactory

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 Example 5.1
❑ Wall reinforcement:
Pressure at the base of the wall,
1 − sin 
 = z = 20(4.5)(0.33) = 29.7kN/m2
1 + sin 
Shear force = 1.35  0.5 ( 29.7 )( 4.5 )( 1.0 )  = 90.2kN

= 90.2  ( 4.5 ) + ( 0.4 )  = 153.34kNm

 1 1
Moment
1 3 2 
Use Cnom = 40mm; Øbar = 20mm
d = 400 − 3 − 0.5 ( 20 ) = 360mm
M 153.34  106
2
= 2
= 1.18  1.27 Use Z = 0.95d
bd 1000(360 )
M 153.34  106
As = = = 1031mm2 /m
0.86fyk z 0.87(500) ( 0.95  360 )
27 Use H20-250 (As = 1260mm2/m)
 Example 5.1
❑ Inner footing reinforcement:
Shear force,
= 1.35  198 + 34 
2.2  
 − ( 60  2.2 ) − ( 0.5  2.2  25.6 )
  3.4  
= 1.35  198 + 21.1 − 131.4 − 31.1 = 79.56kN
Moment,
= 1.35  ( 198 + 21.1 − 132 )( 1.1 + 0.2 ) − 31.1( 0.733 + 0.2 ) 
= 117.5kNm
M 117.5  106
2
= 2
= 0.90  1.27 Use Z=0.95d
bd 1000(360 )
M 117.5  106
As = = = 790mm2 /m
0.86fyk z 0.87(500) ( 0.95  360 )
Use H20-300 (As = 1050mm2/m)
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 Example 5.1
❑ Outer footing reinforcement:
Shear force,
 
= 1.35  ( 90.3  0.8 ) + ( 0.5  0.8  9.3 ) − 34 
0.8  

  3.4  
= 1.35  72.2 + 3.72 − 7.7  = 92.10kN
Moment,
= 1.35  ( 72.2 − 7.2 )( 0.4 + 0.2 ) + 3.72 ( 2 / 3 ( 0.8 ) + 0.2 ) 
= 68.4kNm
M 68.4  106
2
= 2
= 0.52  1.27 Use Z=0.95d
bd 1000(360 )
M 68.4  106
As = = = 457mm2 /m
0.86fyk z 0.87(500) ( 0.95  360 )
Use H16-300 (As = 670mm2/m)
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 Design of Retaining Wall

Example 5.2:

Cantilever Retaining Wall

(Include Surcharge Loading)

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 Example 5.2
❑ Design a cantilever retaining wall to support a bank of earth
3.5m height. The top surface is horizontal behind the wall but it
is subjected to a dead load surcharge in 15 kN/m2. The soil
behind the wall is well-drained sand with the following
properties:

- Density, γsoil = 1800 kg/m3 = 18 kN/m3

- Angle of internal friction, φ = 30o

The material under the wall has a safe bearing pressure of

100 kN/m2. The coefficient of friction between the base and the
soil is 0.50.

Design the wall using grade C30 concrete and grade S500
reinforcement.

31
 Example 5.2

1425

32
 Example 5.2
❑ Check wall stability
Consider 1m length of the wall. The surcharge is equivalent to
an additional height of 15kN/m2/18kNm3 = 0.85.
Therefore, total height of the soil = 3.5 + 0.25 + 0.85 = 4.6m
Earth pressure,
1 − sin  1 − sin30
 = z = 20( z )
1 + sin  1 + sin30
= 17.6 ( z )( 0.333 ) = 5.87 zkN/m2
At z = 0.85m, ρ = 5kN/m2 (because of surcharge)
At z = 4.6m, ρ = 27kN/m2 (because of backfill)

❑ Maximum soil pressure

The base properties area, A = 2.85  1m (width) = 2.85 m
2

Modulus, Z = 2.852 /6=1.35m3

33
 Example 5.2
Horizontal load Distance from Moment about
Load
(kN) C (m) C (kNm)

Active 5 x 3.75 = 18.75 0.5(3.75)=1.875 -35.08

pressure 0.5 x 22 x 3.75 = 41.25 1/3(3.75)=1.25 -51.56

Total 59.98 -86.64

Vertical load Distance from Moment about
(kN) B (m) B (kNm)
Wall 4.1 x 0.25 x 25 = 25.6 0.5 -12.8

Footing 2.85 x 0.25 x 25 = 17.81 0 0

Backfill 1.8 x 3.5 x 17.6 = 110.88 0.525 58.21

Surcharge 15 x 1.8 = 27 0.525 14.18

Total 181.29 59.59

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 Example 5.2
Maximum soil pressure at service load:
W M 181.29 86.67 − 59.59
Pmax = + = + = 83.76kN/m2
A Z 2.85 1.35

83.76kN/m2  100kN/m2 (OK)

❑ Check stability and overturning

The stability moment about the toe A of the wall for a partial
safety factor γf = 0.9 is:
1

59.59 + [181.29 x (2.85/2)] = 317.9 x 0.9 = 286.11 kNm

1

The overturning moment for a partial safety factor γf = 1.1 is:

1

1.1 x 86.64 = 95.3 kNm

The stability of the wall is adequate
35
 Example 5.1
❑ Check resistance to sliding
The forces resisting sliding are the friction under the base and
the passive resistance for a depth of earth of 850 mm to the top
of the base.
Passive force, P = 0.5 H 2 1 + sin 
2 2
1 − sin 
= 0.5 ( 18 )( 0.85 ) ( 3 ) = 19.51
2

Friction force = 0.45 x 181.29 = 81.58kN

Total resistance force = 19.51 + 81.85
Total resistance force = 1.0 x101.36 = 101.36kN
Sliding force = 1.4 x 59.98 = 83.97kN
The resistance to sliding is satisfactory
36