DESIGN AND DETAILING OF RETAINING WALLS

PROJECT BY
Mr. PRADUMN PATHAK
ENDROLLMENT- 0191CE171084
College- T.I.T-E
BATCH- 2017-2021
 DESIGN AND DETAILING
OF RETAINING WALLS

Learning Outcomes:
• After this class students will be able to do the complete
design and detailing of different types of retaining walls.

2
 RETAINING WALL
GL2

Retaining walls are usually

BAC
built to hold back soil K
mass. However, retaining SOIL
walls can also be constructed for GL1

aesthetic landscaping purposes.

Gravity retaining wall

3
 Cantilever Retaining wall
with shear key

Batter

Drainage Hole
Toe

4
Photos of Retaining
walls

5
Classification of
Retaining walls

• Gravity wall-Masonry or Plain concrete

• Cantilever retaining wall-RCC
(Inverted T and L)
• Counterfort retaining wall-RCC
• Buttress wall-RCC

6
Classification of Retaining walls

Backfill Backfill

Tile
Gravity RW drain L-Shaped RW
T-Shaped
RW

Backfill
Counterfort Buttress
Weep
hole

Counterfort RW Buttress RW
7
Earth Pressure (P)

⚫ Earth pressure is the pressure exerted by

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

8
Factors affecting earth pressure
⚫ Earth pressure depends on type of backfill,
the height of wall and the soil conditions

Soil conditions: The different soil conditions are

• Dry leveled back fill

• Moist leveled backfill
• Submerged leveled backfill
• Leveled backfill with uniform surcharge
• Backfill with sloping surface

9
 Analysis for dry back
fills
Maximum pressure at any height, p=kah GL
Total pressure at any height from top,
pa=1/2[kah]h = [kah2]/2 h
H
Bending moment at any height GL Pa
M=paxh/3= [kah3]/6 M

 Total pressure, Pa= [kaH2]/2 kaH

Total Bending moment at bottom,
M = [kaH3]/6 H=stem height

10
 ⚫ Where, ka= Coefficient of active earth
⚫ pressure = (1-sin)/(1+sin)=tan2
⚫ = 1/kp, coefficient of passive earth pressure
⚫ = Angle of internal friction or angle of
⚫ repose
=Unit weigh or density of backfill
⚫ If = 30, ka=1/3 and kp=3.Thus ka is 9 times
kp

11
Backfill with sloping surface

⚫ pa= ka H at the bottom and is

GL
parallel to inclined surface of
backfill
⚫ ka=
cos cos  cos 2   cos 2  
 cos 
 =Angle of
⚫ Where  cos 2
  cos 2

surcharge

 Total pressure at bottom
=Pa= ka H2/2

12
Stability requirements of
RW
⚫ Following conditions must be satisfied for
stability
of wall (IS:456-2000).

• It should not overturn

• It should not slide
• It should not subside, i.e Max. pressure at
the toe should not exceed the safe bearing
capacity of the soil under working condition

13
Check against overturning

Factor of safety against overturning

= MR / MO  1.55 (=1.4/0.9)
Where,
MR =Stabilising moment or
restoring moment
MO =overturning moment

As per IS:456-2000,
MR>1.2 MO, ch. DL + 1.4 MO, ch.
IL
0.9 MR  1.4 MO, ch IL

14
Check against Sliding

⚫ FOS against sliding

⚫ = Resisting force to
sliding/
⚫ Horizontal force causing
⚫ sliding
⚫ = W/Pa  1.55
(=1.4/0.9)

⚫ As per = ( 0.9W)/Pa
1.4IS:456:2000 Friction  W
SLIDING OF WALL

15
 Design of Shear key
⚫ In case the wall is
unsafe against sliding

⚫ pp= p tan2 (45 +/2)

⚫ = p kp
H ⚫ where pp= Unit
passive pressure on
H+a soil above shearing
PA plane AB
⚫ p= Earth pressure at
C ⚫ BC
R=Total
A R pp passive
a resistance=ppx

B W ka(H+a) a
=45 + /2

16
 Design of Shear key-Contd.,
⚫ If W= Total vertical force acting at the key
base
⚫ = shearing angle of passive resistance
⚫ R= Total passive force = pp x a
⚫ PA=Active horizontal pressure at key base for
H+a
⚫ W=Total frictional force under flat base

⚫ For equilibrium, R + W =FOS x PA

17
⚫ FOS= (R + W)/ PA  1.55
Maximum pressure at the toe

W4 H
x1 W1
h
W
W2
x2 Pa

R
H/3
W3
T
e b/6
x b/2
b

Pmin.
Pressure below the
Pmax Retaining Wall

18
⚫ Let the resultant R due to W and Pa
⚫ lie at a distance x from the toe.
⚫ X= M/W,
⚫ M = sum of all moments about toe.

⚫ Eccentricity of the load = e = (b/2-x) 

b/6
⚫ Minimum pressure at Pmin W  6e 
 b 1  >Zero.
heel=  b
⚫ For zero pressure, e=b/6, resultant should
 cut the base within
the middle third.
⚫ Maximum pressure at toe=
⚫  SBC of soil. Pmax  W 1  6e 
b  b

 19
Depth of foundation
⚫ Rankine’s
formula:
⚫ Df = SBC 1

 sin 
2 1  sin 

⚫

SBC 2 Df
⚫ = ka
γ
⚫

20
Preliminary Proportioning
(T shaped wall)
200
⚫ Stem:Top width 200 mm to 400 mm
⚫ Base slab width b= 0.4H to 0.6H,
0.6H to 0.75H for surcharged wall
⚫ Base slab thickness= H/10 to H/14 H

⚫ Toe projection= (1/3-1/4) Base H/10 –

tp= (1/3-1/4)b
width H/14

b= 0.4H to 0.6H

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Behaviour or structural action

⚫ Behaviour or
structural action and
design of stem, heel
and toe slabs are same
as that of any
cantilever slab.

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 Design of Cantilever
RW
⚫ Stem, toe and heel acts as cantilever slabs

⚫ Stem design: Mu=psf (ka H3/6)

⚫ Determine the depth d from Mu = Mu,
lim=Qbd
2

⚫ Design as balanced section or URS and find

steel

⚫ Mu=0.87 fy Ast[d-fyAst/(fckb)]

23
 Curtailment of bars

Effective depth (d) is

Proportional to h
Dist.
Bending moment is
h1 from Every
alternate proportional to h 3
top
Ast/2 h2 bar cut A is αl to (BM/d) and is
h1c st

Ldt
αl to h2

Ast h2 Ast1 h12

i.e 
. Ast
Ast/2 Ast
Provided
h22
2
Ast
Cross section Curtailment curve
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Design of Heel and
Toe
1. Heel slab and toe slab should also be designed as cantilever. For this
stability analysis should be performed as explained and determine
the maximum bending moments at the junction.
2. Determine the reinforcement.
3. Also check for shear at the junction.
4. Provide enough development length.
5. Provide the distribution steel

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 Design Example Cantilever retaining wall

Design a cantilever retaining wall (T type) to retain earth for a

height of 4m. The backfill is horizontal. The density of soil is
18kN/m3. Safe bearing capacity of soil is 200 kN/m2. Take the co-
efficient of friction between concrete and soil as 0.6. The angle of
repose is 30°. Use M20 concrete and Fe415 steel.

Solution
Data: h' = 4m, SBC= 200 kN/m2, = 18 kN/m3, μ=0.6, φ=30°

26
Depth of foundation
⚫ To fix the height of retaining wall
200
⚫ H=
[H] h' f
+D
⚫ Depth of
foundation h1
h
H
⚫
sin  
 sin
⚫ Df =SBC 11 
2
  Df


b
⚫ = 1.23m say 1.2m
,
⚫ Therefore H=
5.2m 27
 Proportioning of wall
⚫ Thickness of base slab=(1/10 200

to1/14)H
⚫ 0.52m to 0.43m, say 450 mm
⚫ Width of base slab=b = (0.5 to 0.6) H=5200 mm
H
⚫ 2.6m to 3.12m say 3m tp= 750 mm
⚫ Toe projection= pj= (1/3 to 450
¼)H b= 3000 mm
⚫ 1m to 0.75m say 0.75m
⚫ Provide 450 mm thickness for the
stem at the base and 200 mm at the
top
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 Design of stem
⚫ Ph= ½ x 1/3 x 18 x 4.752=67.68 kN
⚫ M = Ph h/3 = 0.333 x 18 x 4.753/6
⚫ = 107.1 kN-m
⚫ Mu= 1.5 x M = 160.6 kN-m

⚫ Taking 1m length of wall, h

⚫ Mu/bd 2= 1.004 < 2.76, URS
Pa
⚫ (Here d=450- eff. Cover=450-50=400
mm) M
⚫ To find steel Df
⚫ Pt=0.295% <0.96%
⚫ Ast= 0.295x1000x400/100 = 1180 mm2 kah
⚫ #12 @ 90 < 300 mm and 3d ok
⚫ Ast provided= 1266 mm2 [0.32%] Or Mu = [kaH3]/6
29
 Curtailment of bars-Stem
⚫ Curtail 50% steel from top
⚫ (h1/h2)2 = 50%/100%=½
⚫ (h1/4.75)2 = ½, h1 =
3.36m
Dist.
⚫ Actual point of from
h1 Every

⚫ cutoff
top
= 3.36-Ld =3.36-47 φ = Ast/2 h2
alternate
bar cut
0.564 = 2.74m
3.36- bar from h1c

⚫ top.
Spacing of bars = 180 mm c/c Ldt

< 300 mm and 3d ok

Ast h2
Ast/2 Ast
Provid
Ast ed

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 Design of stem-Contd.,
⚫ Development length (Stem steel) 200
⚫ Ld=47 φbar =47 x 12 = 564 mm

⚫ Secondary steel for stem at front

⚫ 0.12% GA H=5200 mm
⚫ = 0.12x450 x 1000/100 = 540
mm2 tp= 750 mm
⚫ #10 @ 140 < 450 mm and 5d ok 450
⚫ Distribution steel
b= 3000 mm
⚫ = 0.12% GA = 0.12x450 x 1000/100
=
540 mm2
⚫ #10 @ 140 < 450 mm and 5d ok
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⚫ Check for
200
shear
⚫ Max. SF at Junction, xx = Ph=67.68 kN
⚫ Ultimate SF= Vu=1.5 x 67.68 = 101.52 H=5200 mm
kN
⚫ Nominal shear stress =ζv= Vu/bd x x

⚫ = 101.52 x 1000 / 1000x400 = 0.25

MPa b= 3000 mm

⚫ To find ζc: 100Ast/bd = 0.32%,

⚫ From IS:456-2000, ζc= 0.38 MPa
⚫ ζv < ζc, Hence safe in shear.
32
Stability analysis
Load Magnitude, kN Distance BM about A
from A, m kN-m
Stem W1 0.2x4.75x1x25 = 23.75 1.1 26.13
½ x0.25x4.75x1x25 0.75 + 2/3x0.25
Stem W2 13.60
= 14.84 =0.316
B. slab 3.0x0.45x1x25=33.75 1.5 50.63
W3
Back 1.8x4.75x1x18
2.1 323.20
fill, = 153.9
W4
Total ΣW= 226.24 ΣMR=413.55
Earth Pre.
PH =0.333x18x5.22/2 H/3 =5.2/3 MO=140.05
=PH
33
 W4 H
x1 W1
h
W2 W
x2 Pa
R
H/3
W3
T
e b/6
x b/2
b
Forces acting
0.75m 0.45m 1.8m
Pmin. on the wall
Pmax 30.16
kN/m
and the
120.6 24.1
2
pressure below
kN/m2 97.99
22.6 the wall
Pressure below the Retaining Wall
34
 Stability checks
⚫ Check for overturning
⚫ FOS = ΣMR/ MO= 2.94 >1.55 safe

⚫ Check for Sliding

⚫ FOS = μ ΣW / PH= 2.94 >1.55 safe

⚫ Check for subsidence

⚫ X=ΣM/ ΣW= 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

35
 0.75m 0.45m 1.8m
30.16 kN/m2
120.6 kN/m2

97.99
24.1 Design of
22.6
Pressure below the Retaining Wall heel slab
Magnitude, Distance BM, MC,
Load
kN from C, m kN-m
Backfill 153.9 0.9 138.51
0.45x1.8x25
Heel slab 0.9 18.23
= 27.25
Pressure dist. 30.16 x 1.8
0.9 -48.86
rectangle =54.29
Pressure dist. ½ x 24.1 1/3x1.8 -13.01
Triangle x1.8=21.69
Total Load Total ΣMC=94.86
36
 Design of heel slab-
Contd., 200
⚫ Mu= 1.5 x 94.86 =142.3
kNm
⚫ Mu/bd 2= 0.89 < 2.76, URS
H=5200 mm
⚫ Pt=0.264% < 0.96%
⚫ Ast= 0.264x1000x400/100
x
⚫ =1056 mm2
⚫ #16@ 190 < 300 mm and 3d ok
x
b= 3000 mm
⚫ Ast provided= 1058mm [0.27%]

OR Mu=0.87 fy Ast[d - (fyAst/fckb)]

37
 Design of heel slab-
Contd., 200

⚫ Development
length:
⚫ Ld=47 φbar
⚫ =47 x 16 = 752mm H=5200 mm

⚫ Distribution steel
⚫ Same, #10 @ 140
⚫ < 450 mm and 5d x
ok
Ldt=752
x
38
 Design of heel slab-Contd.,
200
⚫ Check for shear at junction (Tension)
⚫ Maximum shear =V=105.17 kN,
⚫ VU,max= 157.76 kN,

⚫ Nominal shear stress = ζv= Vu/bd

⚫ = 101.52 x 1000 / 1000x400 = 0.39
x
MPa
⚫ To find ζc: 100Ast/bd = 0.27%,
x
⚫ From IS:456-2000, ζc= 0.37
MPa
⚫ ζv slightly greater than ζc,
⚫ Hence slightly unsafe in shear.
39
Design of toe slab
Bending
Load Magnitude, kN Distance moment,
from C, m MC, kN-m
Toe slab 0.75x0.45x25 = 0.75/2 -3.164
Pressure distribution, 97.99x0.75 0.75/2 27.60
rectangle
Pressure distribution, ½ x22.6 2/3x1=0.75 4.24
triangle x1.0.75
Total Load at Total BM ΣM=28.67
junction at junction
40
 Design of toe slab
200
⚫ Mu= 1.5 x 28.67 =43 kN-m
⚫ Mu/bd 2= 0.27< 2.76, URS

⚫ Pt=0.085% Very small, provide

0.12%GA

⚫ Ast= 540 mm2

⚫ #10 @ 140 < 300 mm and 3d ok Ldt
⚫ Development length:
⚫ Ld=47 φbar =47 x 10 = 470
mm

41
 Design of toe slab-Contd.,
⚫ Check for shear: at d from junction (at xx as
wall is in compression) 200

⚫ Net shear force at the section

⚫ V= (120.6+110.04)/2 x 0.35
- 0.45x0.35x25=75.45kN
⚫ VU,max=75.45x1.5=113.18 kN
x
⚫ ζv d
x
=113.17x1000/(1000x400)=0 Ldt
⚫ p t≤0.25%,
.28 MPa From IS:456-2000, ζc= 0.37
MPa
⚫ ζv < ζc, Hence safe in shear.
42
Other deatails
⚫ Construction joint

⚫ A key 200 mm wide x 50 mm deep

⚫ with nominal steel
⚫ #10 @ 250, 600 mm length in two rows

⚫ Drainage
⚫ 100 mm dia. pipes as weep holes at 3m c/c at bottom
⚫ Also provide 200 mm gravel blanket at the back of the stem for
back drain.

43
Drawing and detailing

#12 @ 180

#10 @ 140

#12 @ 90
#16 @ 190

#10 @ 140 C/S OF WALL L/S ELEVATION OF WALL

Drawing and detailing

BASE SLAB DETAILS

BOTTOM
STEEL

PLAN OF BASE SLAB

TOP
STEEL
45
 Important Points for
drawing
Note
1. Adopt a suitable scale such as 1:20
2. Show all the details and do neat drawing
3. Show the development length for all bars at the junction
4. Name the different parts such as stem, toe, heel,
backfill, weep holes, blanket, etc.,
5. Show the dimensions of all parts
6. Detail the steel in all the drawings
7. Lines with double headed arrows represents the
development lengths in the cross section
46
 Design and Detailing of
Counterfort Retaining wall

• When H exceeds about 6m,

• Stem and heel thickness is CF
more
• More bending and more steel Stem
• Cantilever-T type-
Uneconomical Base Slab
• Counterforts-Trapezoidal
section CRW
• 1.5m -3m c/c
47
Parts of
CRW
• Same as that of Cantilever Retaining wall Plus
Counterfort

Stem Counterforts

Toe Heel
Base slab
Cross section Plan
48
 Design of Stem
• The stem acts as a continuous slab
• Soil pressure acts as the load on the slab.
• Earth pressure varies linearly over the BF
height
• The slab deflects away from the earth
face between the counterforts
• The bending moment in the stem is
maximum at the base and reduces
towards top.
• But the thickness of the wall is kept
constant and only the area of steel is p=Kaγh
reduced.

49
 Maximum Bending moments for stem

⚫ Maximum +ve B.M= pl2/16

⚫ (occurring mid-way between
counterforts)
⚫ and l

⚫ Maximum -ve B.M= pl2/12

-
⚫ (occurring at inner face of counterforts)
⚫ Where ‘l’ is the clear distance between + p
the counterforts
⚫ and ‘p’ is the intensity of soil
pressure

50
 Design of Toe Slab
⚫ The base width=b = 0.6 H to 0.7 H
⚫ The projection=1/3 to 1/4 of base width.
⚫ The toe slab is subjected to an upward soil
reaction and is designed as a cantilever H
slab fixed at the front face of the stem.
⚫ Reinforcement is provided on earth face along
the length of the toe slab.
⚫ In case the toe slab projection is large i.e. >
b/3, front counterforts are provided above the
toe slab and the slab is designed as a continuous b
horizontal slab spanning between the front
counterforts.

51
 Design of Heel Slab

⚫ The heel slab is designed as a continuous slab

spanning over the counterforts and is subjected to
downward forces due to weight of soil plus self weight of
slab and an upward force due to soil reaction.

⚫ Maximum +ve B.M=

pl2/16 BF
⚫ (mid-way between counterforts)
⚫ And
⚫ Maximum -ve B.M= pl2/12
⚫ (occurring at counterforts)

52
 Design of Counterforts
• The counterforts are subjected to
outward reaction from the stem.
• This produces tension along the outer
sloping face of the counterforts.
• The inner face supporting the stem is in
compression. Thus counterforts are
designed as a T-beam of varying depth.
• The main steel provided along the sloping C T
face shall be anchored properly at both
ends. d
• The depth of the
perpendicular counterfort
to the sloping is measured
side.

53
Behaviour of Counterfort
RW
-M

+M Important points
•Loads on Wall
COUNTERFORT •Deflected shape
STEM
•Nature of BMs
•Position of steel
-M
•Counterfort details
HEEL SLAB
TOE +M

54