EC2 – worked examples 2-9

Approach 2
Set B is used.

Approach 3
Factors from Set C for geotechnical actions and from Set B for other actions are used in one
calculation.
1.0·Sk,terr + 1.0·Gk,wall + 1.0·Gk,terr + 1.3·Qk,sovr + 1.3·Sk,sovr
1.0·Sk,terr + 1.35·Gk,wall + 1.35·Gk,terr + 1.3·Qk,sovr + 1.3·Sk,sovr
1.0·Sk,terr + 1.0·Gk,wall + 1.35·Gk,terr + 1.3·Qk,sovr + 1.3·Sk,sovr
1.0·Sk,terr + 1.35·Gk,wall + 1.0·Gk,terr + 1.3·Qk,sovr + 1.3·Sk,sovr

A numeric example is given below.

EXAMPLE 2.5. Concrete retaining wall: global stability and ground resistance
verifications [EC2 – clause 2.4]

The assumption is initially made that the surcharge acts only on the part of embankment
beyond the foundation footing.

Fig. 2.12.Wall dimensions and actions on the wall (surcharge outside the foundation footing).

weight density: γ=18 kN/m3

angle of shearing resistance: φ=30°
factor of horiz. active earth pressure:
Ka = 0.33
wall-ground interface friction angle:δ=0°
self-weight of wall: Pk,wall = 0.30 ⋅ 2.50 ⋅ 25 = 18.75 kN/m
self-weight of footing: Pk,foot = 0.50 ⋅ 2.50 ⋅ 25 = 31.25 kN/m
Gk,wall = Pk,wall + Pk,foot = 18.75 + 31.25 = 50 kN/m
self weight of ground above footing: Gk,ground = 18 ⋅ 2.50 ⋅ 1.70 = 76.5 kN/m
surcharge on embankment: Qk,surch =10 kN/m2
ground horizontal force: Sk,ground = 26.73 kN/m
surcharge horizontal force: Sk,surch = 9.9 kN/m

Table of Content
EC2 – worked examples 2-10

Verification to failure by sliding

Slide force
Ground horizontal force (γG=1,1): Sground = 1.1 ⋅ 26.73= 29.40 kN/m
Surcharge horizontal (γQ=1.5): Ssur = 1.5 ⋅ 9.90 = 14.85 kN/m
Sliding force: Fslide = 29.40 + 14.85 = 44.25 kN/m

Resistant force
(in the assumption of ground-flooring friction factor = 0.57)
wall self-weight (γG=0.9): Fstab,wall = 0.9⋅(0.57⋅18.75) = 9.62 kN/m
footing self-weight (γG=0.9): Fstab,foot = 0.9⋅(0.57⋅31.25) = 16.03 kNm/m
ground self-weight (γG=0.9): Fstab,ground = 0.9⋅(0.57⋅76.5) = 39.24 kN/m
resistant force: Fstab = 9.62 + 16.03 + 39.24 = 64.89 kN/m
The safety factor for sliding is:
FS = Fstab / Frib = 64.89 / 44.25 = 1.466

Verification to Overturning

overturning moment
moment from ground lateral force (γG=1.1): MS,ground = 1.1⋅(26.73⋅3.00/3) = 29.40 kNm/m
moment from surcharge lateral force (γQ=1.5): MS,surch = 1.5 ⋅ (9.90 ⋅ 1.50) = 22.28 kNm/m
overturning moment: Mrib = 29.40 + 22.28 = 51.68 kNm/m

stabilizing moment
moment wall self-weight (γG=0.9): Mstab,wall = 0.9⋅(18.75⋅0.65) = 10.97 kNm/m
moment footing self-weight (γG=0.9): Mstab,foot = 0.9⋅(31.25⋅1.25) = 35.16 kNm/m
moment ground self-weight (γG=0.9): Mstab,ground = 0.9⋅(76.5⋅1.65) = 113.60 kNm/m
stabilizing moment: Mstab = 10.97 + 35.16 + 113.60 = 159.73 kNm/m

safety factor to global stability

FS = Mstab/Mrib = 159.73/51.68 = 3.09

Contact pressure on ground

Approach 2, i.e. Set B if partial factors, is used.

By taking 1.0 and 1.35 as the partial factors for the self-weight of the wall and of the ground
above the foundation footing respectively, we obtain four different combinations as seen
above:
first combination
1.35·Sk,terr + 1.0·Gk,wall + 1.0·Gk,terr + 1.5·Qk,sovr + 1.5·Sk,sovr
second combination
1.35·Sk,terr + 1.35·Gk,wall + 1.35·Gk,terr + 1.5·Qk,sovr + 1.5·Sk,sovr
third combination
1.35·Sk,terr + 1.0·Gk,wall + 1.35·Gk,terr + 1.5·Qk,sovr + 1.5·Sk,sovr

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