LIMIT STATE DESIGN

OF RETAINING WALL

PREPARED BY

MS NEHA CHAUHAN

 Retaining walls are usually built to hold back soil mass. However, retaining walls can
also be constructed for aesthetic landscaping purposes.
Retaining walls provide lateral support to vertical slopes of soil. They retain soil
otherwise collapse into a more natural slopes. The retained soil referred to as
Backfill.
Backfill may have its top surface horizontal or inclined.
The position of the backfill laying above the horizontal plane at the elevation of top of
wall is called Surcharge and its inclination to the horizontal is called Surcharge
Angle.

Classification of Retaining walls

1. Gravity wall-Masonry or Plain concrete
2. Cantilever retaining wall-RCC (Inverted T and L)
3. Counterfort retaining wall-RCC
4. Buttress wall-RCC

Gravity Walls
The gravity wall resist the earth pressure exerted by backfill by its own self
weight (dead load).
It is usually built in stone masonry, and occasionally in plain concrete.
The gravity wall provides stability by virtue of its own weight ,and therefore,
is rather massive in size.
The thickness of wall is also governed by need to eliminate or limit the resulting
tensile stress to its permissible limit .
Plain concrete gravity walls are not used for heights exceeding about 3m, for
obvious economic reasons.
Stress developed is very low.
These walls are so proportioned that no tension is developed anywhere and the
resultant of forces remain within the middle third of the base.

Cantilever Walls
The cantilever wall is the most type of retaining structure and is generally

economical for heights upto 8 m.

The structure consists of vertical stem, and a base slab made up of two distinct

region viz a heel slab and a toe slab.

All three components behave as one way cantilever slab.

Stem acts as a vertical cantilever under the lateral earth pressure

Heel slab acts as a horizontal cantilever under the action of weight of the retained

earth. (minus soil pressure acting upwards from below)

Toe slab acts as a cantilever under the action of resulting soil pressure acting

upward.

Counterfort Walls
Stem and heel are strengthen by providing counterforts at some suitable
intervals.
The stability of wall is maintained by the weight of the earth on the heel slab
plus the self weight of the structure.
The bending moment can be considerably reduced by introducing transverse
supports as counterforts.
This wall is economical for heights above 7 m.

Buttress Walls
It is similar to counterfort wall, except that the transverse stem supports, called
Buttress, are located in front side, interconnecting the stem with the toe slab.
(and not with the heel slab as Counterfort).
Although Buttress walls are structurally more efficient and more economical
than counterforts, Counterfort wall is generally preferred as it provides free
usable space (and better aesthetics) in front of the wall.

Lateral Earth Pressure

Earth pressure is the pressure exerted by the retaining
material on the retaining wall. This pressure tends to
deflect the wall outward.
Types of earth pressure :
Active earth pressure or earth pressure (Pa) and
Passive earth pressure (Pp).
Active earth pressure tends to deflect the wall away
from the backfill.

Active Earth Pressure

Dry or Moist Backfill with No Surcharge
Maximum pressure at any height, pa=ka

Where, ka= Coefficient of active earth pressure = (1-sin)/(1+sin)=tan 2

= 1/kp, coefficient of passive earth pressure
= Angle of internal friction or angle of repose
=Unit weight or density of backfill

Total earth pressure or resultant force per unit

length of the wall at any height from top is

pa=1/2[ka h]h = [ka h2]/2

acting at H/3 above the base of retaining
wall.

Effect of Surcharge on a level Backfill

The surcharge on backfill may be due to traffic load on
top of the backfill or due to a structure near to it.

If ws is the surcharge pressure on horizontally finished

backfill, then uniform effect of surcharge on stem is
given by

ps=ka ws

pa= ka H + ka ws

Submerged Backfill
In this case the sand fill behind the retaining wall is saturated with water
Lateral pressure is made of two components

Lateral pressure due to water at depth H

pa= ka H + w H {Fig (a)}
if the water stands to both sides of the wall, the water pressure need not be considered and net
lateral pressure is given by
pa= ka H {Fig (b)}

Backfill with Sloping Surface

pa= ka H at the bottom and is parallel to inclined
surface of backfill

Where =Angle of
surcharge
Total pressure at bottom
pa = [ka h2]/2

Passive Earth Pressure

Passive earth pressure is exerted on a wall when it has a tendency to move towards the
backfill while supporting an arch.
When due to active pressure from the right hand side, the walls moves left. The soil to
the left is thus compressed and in tern exert passive earth pressure resisting such
movement.
The intensity of passive earth pressure at height h is given by pp=kp h
Where, kp= Coefficient of active earth pressure = (1+sin)/(1-sin)
= 1/ka, coefficient of active earth pressure
= Angle of internal friction or angle of repose

Total passive earth pressure per unit length of the wall at

any height from top is

pp = [kp h2]/2
retaining wall.

acting at h/3 above the base of

Stability Requirements of Retaining Wall

Retaining wall subjected to following forces
Weight W1 of the stem
Weight W2 of the base slab
Weight W3 of the column of soil supported on heel slab
Horizontal force Pa equal to active earth pressure acting at H/3 above the base

Method of Failure of Retaining Wall

Overturning about the toe
Sliding
Failure of soil due to excessive pressure at toe or tension at the heel (should not
exceed the safe bearing capacity of the soil)
Bending failure of stem or base of slab or heel slab

Overturning About the Toe (Clause 20.1, IS 456:2000)

The overturning moment due to active earth paress = Mo
The resisting moment due to weights W1, W2, W3 = MR
Factor of safety against overturning = MR/Mo = 1.4/0.9 =
1.55

Sliding (Clause 20.2, IS 456:2000)

Factor of safety against sliding = Resisting force to sliding / Horizontal force causing sliding
W / Pa 1.4/0.9 1.55

Shear Key
If the wall is found to be unsafe against sliding, shear key below the base should be provided.
Such a key develops passive pressure which resists completely the sliding tendency of the wall.

Soil Pressure Distribution

If W is the sum of all vertical forces, and Pa is the horizontal active
earth pressure, the resultant R will strike the base slab at a distance e
from the middle point of the base.
M = W1X1 + W2X2 + W3X3 PaH/3 = net moment at the toe
Then X = distance of the point of application of resultant = M / W
Hence eccentricity e = b/2 X

The intensity of pressure at toe and heel is given by

Soil Pressure Distribution

Pmin at heel should not compressive. If P2 comes to be tensile, the heel will be lifted up above the
soil, which is not permissible. In an extreme case Pmin should be zero.
For zero pressure , e = b/6
Hence in order that tension is not developed the resultant should cut the base within the middle
third.

Design of Cantilever Retaining Wall

Fixation of base width b
Design of stem
Design of heel slab
Design of toe slab
Design of shear key (if required)

Design of Cantilever Retaining Wall

Design a cantilever retaining wall ( T type) to retain earth for a height of 4m.The
back fill is horizontal. The density of soil is 18 kN/m3.Safe bearing capacity of
soil is 200 kN/m2.Take the co-efficient to friction between concrete and soil as
0.6.The angle of repose is 30.Use M20 concrete and Fe415 steel.

Data given: h' = 4m, SBC= 200 kN/m2, = 18 kN/m3, =0.6, =30

Depth of Foundation
To fix the height of retaining wall (H)
H = h + Df
Depth of foundation

Df = 1.23 m say 1.2 m

Therefore H = 4 + 1.2 = 5.2 m

Proportioning of Wall
Thickness of base slab = (1/10 to 1/14) H = 0.52 m to 0.43 m
Consider 450 mm as thickness of slab
Height of stem = 5.2 m 0.45 m = 4.75 m
Width of base slab = b = (0.5 to 0.6) H = 2.6 to 3.12 m
Consider 3 m as width of base slab
Toe projection = (1/3 to ) b = 1 m to 0.75 m
Consider 0.75 m as toe projection
Therefore heel projection = 3m 0.75 m 0.45 m = 1.8 m
Provide 450 mm thickness for the stem at the base and 200
mm at the top

Design of stem
ka= Coefficient of active earth pressure = (1-sin)/(1+sin)=
= (1-sin 30)/(1+sin 30) = 1/3 = 0.33
kp = 1/ka = 3
Pa = ( * 0.33 * 18 * 4.75) * 4.75 = 67.68 kN
M = Pa * h/3 = 106.10 kNm
Factored Moment = Mu = 1.5 * 106.10 = 159.15 kNm
Taking 1 m length of wall
Here d = 450 effective cover = 450 50 = 400 mm
Mu/bd2 = 159.15 * 106 / 1000 * 400 * 400 = 1.004
From SP 16 , pt = 0.295 % < 0.96 % (ptlim)
Ast = ptbd/100 = 0.295 * 1000 * 400 / 100 = 1180 mm2
Provide 12 @ 90 mm c/c < 300 mm and 3d OK
Ast provided= 1266 mm2 [0.32%]

Curtailment of Bars-Stem
Curtail 50% steel from top
(h1/h2)2 = 50%/100%=
(h1/4.75)2 = , h1 = 3.36m
Actual point of cutoff
= 3.36 - Ld = 3.36 - 47 bar = 3.36- 0.564 = 2.74 m from top
Spacing of bars = 180 mm c/c < 300 mm and 3d OK
Provide 12 @ 180 mm c/c

Development length (Stem steel)

Ld=47 bar =47 x 12 = 564 mm
Secondary steel for stem at front
= 0.12% GA
= 0.12x450 x 1000/100 = 540 mm2
Provide 10 @ 140 < 450 mm and 5d ok
Distribution steel
= 0.12% GA
= 0.12x450 x 1000/100 = 540 mm2
Provide 10 @ 140 < 450 mm and 5d ok

Check for Shear

Max. SF at Junction, xx = Ph=67.68 kN
Ultimate SF= Vu=1.5 x 67.68 = 101.52 kN
Nominal shear stress = v = Vu/bd
= 101.52 x 1000 / 1000x400 = 0.25 Mpa
To find c = 100Ast/bd = 0.32%,
From IS:456-2000, c = 0.38 Mpa
v < c, Hence safe in shear.

Stability Analysis
Load

Magnitude, kN

Distance
from A, m

BM about A
kN-m

Stem W1

0.2x4.75x1x25 = 23.75

1.1

26.13

Stem W2

x0.25x4.75x1x25
= 14.84

0.75 + 2/3x0.25
=0.916

13.60

Base slab W3

3.0x0.45x1x25=33.75

1.5

50.63

Back fill,
W4

1.8x4.75x1x18
= 153.9

2.1

323.20

Total

W= 226.24 kN

Earth Pre.
=Pa

Pa =0.333x18x5.22/2 =
80.308 kN

MR = 413.55 kNm
H/3 =5.2/3

MO = 140.05 kNm

Stability Check
Check for overturning
FOS = MR/ MO= 2.94 >1.55 safe
Check for Sliding
FOS = W/ Pa= 1.69 >1.55 safe
Check for subsidence
X=M (MR-M0)/ W= 1.20 m > b/3 and e= b/2 x = 3/2 1.2 = 0.3m < b/6
Pressure below the base slab
PMax=120.66 kN/m2 < SBC, safe
PMin = 30.16 kN/m2 > zero, No tension or separation, safe

Design of Heel Slab

Load

Magnitude, kN

Distance
from C, m

BM about C
kN-m

Backfill

153.9

0.9

138.51

Heel slab

0.45x1.8x25
= 20.25

0.9

18.23

Pressure dist.
rectangle

30.16 x 1.8
=54.29

0.9

-48.86

Pressure dist.
Triangle

x 54.3x1.8
=48.8

1/3x1.8

-29.2

Total

MC=78.6

Total Load

Design of Heel Slab

Mu = 1.5 x 78.86 =118.02 kNm
Mu/bd2= 0.73 < 2.76, URS
Pt = 0.214% < 0.96%
Ast = 0.214x1000x400/100 = 856 mm2
Provide 10 @ 90 mm c/c < 300 mm and 3d OK
Ast provided= 873 mm2 [0.22%]

Development length (Heel steel)

Ld=47 bar =47 x 10 = 470 mm
Distribution steel
= 0.12% GA
= 0.12x450 x 1000/100 = 540 mm2
Provide 10 @ 140 < 450 mm and 5d ok

Check for Shear

Check for shear at junction (Tension)
Total downward pressure = wt of earth + self wt of heel slab
= (4.75 * 18) + (25 * 0.45 ) = 96.75 kN/m2
96.75 kN/m2
+

Net Pressure = (1/2 * 12.45 * 1.8) + (1/2 * 66.59 * 1.8) = 71.13 kN

Max. SF at Junction, xx = 71.13 kN

Ultimate SF= Vu=1.5 x 71.13 = 106.70 kN
Nominal shear stress = v = Vu/bd
= 106.70 x 1000 / 1000x400 = 0.26 Mpa
To find c =
From IS:456-2000,
v < c, Hence safe in shear.

Design of Toe Slab

Load

Magnitude, kN

Distance
from C, m

BM about C
kN-m

Toe slab

0.75x0.45x25 = 8.43 kN

0.375

- 3.161

Pressure distribution,
rectangle

97.99x0.75 = 73.49

0.375

27.558

2/3*0.75 = 0.5

4.237

Total

MC=28.634

Pressure distribution,
triangle
Total Load

x 22.6 x1.0.75 = 8.475

90.395

Design of Toe Slab

Mu = 1.5 x 28.67 =43 kN-m
Mu/bd2= 0.27< 2.76, URS
Pt = 0.085% Very small, provide 0.12%GA
Ast = 540 mm2
Provide 10 @ 140 mm c/c < 300 mm and 3d OK
Ast provided=

Development length (Toe steel)

Ld=47 bar =47 x 10 = 470 mm
Distribution steel
= 0.12% GA
= 0.12x450 x 1000/100 = 540 mm2
Provide 10 @ 140 < 450 mm and 5d ok

Check for Shear

Check for shear at d from junction (at xx as wall is in compression)
Total downward pressure = self wt of toe slab
= (25 * 0.45 ) = 11.25 kN/m2

110.04 kN/m2

Net shear force at the section

V= (120.6+110.04)/2 x 0.35 - 0.45x0.35x25=36.42kN
Vu,max=36.42x1.5=54.63kN
v =54.63x1000/(1000x400)=0.136 Mpa
pt0.15%, From IS:456-2000, c= 0.28 Mpa
v < c, Hence safe in shear.