Missouri Department of Transportation

Bridge Division

Bridge Design Manual

Section 3.62
Revised 09/09/2011
Click Here for Index

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page i - 1
Index

3.62.1

General

1.1 Wall Type Selection (2 Sheets)

1.2 Loads (8 Sheets)
3.62.2

Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls

2.1 Design (2 Sheets)

2.2 Details (5 Sheets)
3.62.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Unit Stresses (1 Sheet)
Design (16 Sheets)
Example 1: Spread Footing Cantilever Wall (11 Sheets)
Example 2: L-Shaped Cantilever Wall (13 Sheets)
Example 3: Pile Footing Cantilever Wall (13 Sheets)
Dimensions (6 Sheets)
Reinforcement (6 Sheets)
Details (7 Sheets)

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General

3.62.1 General
AASHTO 5.1

Retaining wall shall be designed to withstand lateral earth and water pressures,
including any live and dead load surcharge, the self weight of the wall,
temperature and shrinkage effect, live load and collision forces, and earthquake
loads in accordance with the general principles of AASHTO Section 5 and the
general principles specified in this section.

1.1 Wall Type Selection

AASHTO 5.2.1

Selection of wall type shall be based on an assessment of the magnitude and

direction of loading, depth to suitable foundation support, potential for earthquake
loading, presence of deleterious environmental factors, wall site cross-sectional
geometry, proximity of physical constraints, tolerable and differential settlement,
facing appearance, and ease and cost of construction.
The following wall types are the most commonly used in MoDOT projects
Mechanically Stabilized Earth Retaining Walls
Cast-In-Place Concrete Cantilever Retaining Walls

Cantilever Walls on Spread Footings

Cantilever Wall on Pile Footings

L-Shaped Walls on Spread Footings

Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Retaining Walls

AASHTO 5.2.1.4 & 5.8

MSE retaining walls use precast block or panel like facing elements combined
with either metallic or geosynthetic tensile reinforcements in the soil mass. MSE
walls are preferred over cast-in-place walls because they are usually more
economical. Other advantages include a wide variety of design styles, ease and
speed of installation, and their ability to accommodate total and differential
settlements. Wall design heights upwards of 80 feet are technically feasible
(FHFW-SA-96-071). MSE walls may be used to retain fill for end bents of bridge
structures.
Situations exist where the use of MSE walls is either limited or not
recommended. Some obstacles such as drop inlets, sign truss pedestals or
footings, and fence posts may be placed within the reinforcing strip area,
however, these obstacles increase the difficulty and expense of providing
sufficient reinforcing strips for stability. Box culverts and highway drainage pipes
may run through MSE walls, but it is preferable not to run the pipes close to or
parallel to the walls. Utilities other than highway drainage should not be
constructed within the reinforcing strip area. Be cautious when using MSE walls
in a flood plain. A flood could cause scouring around the reinforcement and
seepage of the backfill material. Soil reinforcements should not be used where
exposure to ground water contaminated by acid mine drainage or other industrial
pollutants as indicated by a low pH and high chlorides and sulfates exist.
Galvanized metallic reinforcements shall not be used where stray electrical
ground currents could occur as would be present near an electrical substation.

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General

Sufficient right-of-way is required to install the reinforcing strips which extend into
the backfill area at least 8 feet, 70 % of the wall height or as per design
requirements, whichever is greater. Finally, barrier curbs constructed over or in
line with the front face of the wall shall have adequate room provided laterally
between the back of the wall facing and the curb or slab so that load is not
directly transmitted to the top wall facing units.
Concrete Cantilever Wall on Spread Footing
Concrete cantilever walls derive their capacity through combinations of dead
weight and structural resistance. These walls are constructed of reinforced
concrete.
Concrete cantilever walls are used when MSE walls are not a viable option.
Cantilever walls can reduce the rock cut required and can also provide solutions
when there are right of way restrictions. Concrete walls also provide better
structural capacity when barrier curbs on top of the walls are required.
Counterforts are used on rare occasions. Sign-board type retaining walls are a
special case of counterfort retaining walls. They are used where the soil
conditions are such that the footings must be placed well below the finished
ground line. For these situations the wall is discontinued 12 inches below the
ground line or below the frost line. Counterforts may also be a cost-savings
option when the wall height approaches 20 feet (Foundation Analysis and Design
by Joseph E. Bowles, 4th ed., 1988). However, other factors such as poor soil
conditions, slope of the retained soil, wall length and uniformity in wall height
should also be considered before using counterforts.
Concrete Cantilever Wall on Pile Footing
Concrete cantilever walls on pile footings are used when the soil conditions do
not permit the use of spread footings. These walls are also used when an end
bent requires wings longer than 22 feet. In these cases a stub wing is left
attached to the end bent and the rest of the wing is detached to become a
retaining wall.
Concrete L-Shaped Retaining Wall on Spread Footings
Concrete L-Shaped walls are cantilever walls without heels. These walls are
used when there are space limitations for cantilever walls. Since there is no heel
the height of these walls is limited to about 7 feet depending on the soil
conditions and the slope of the retained soil.
L-Shaped Walls are often used next to roadways where the footings are
frequently used as shoulders and where the wall will require structural capacity
for collision forces.

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General

1.2 Loads
Dead Loads
Dead loads shall be determined from the Weight of Materials Table of the Loads
Section in the Bridge Manual.
Equivalent Fluid Pressure (Earth Pressures)
AASHTO 3.20.1

For determining equivalent earth pressures for Group Loadings I through VI the
Rankine Formula for Active Earth Pressure shall be used.
Rankine Formula:

1
Pa = C ag s H 2 where:
2

cosd - cos2 d - cos2 f

Ca = cosd

cosd + cos2 d - cos2 f

P a = equivalent active earth pressure
C a = coefficient of active earth pressure
H = height of the soil face at the vertical plane of interest
g s = unit weight of soil
d = slope of fill in degrees
f = angle of internal friction of soil in degrees

Example
Given
d = 3:1 (H:V) slope
f = 25o
g s = 0.120 kcf
H = 10 ft
1
d = arctan = 18 .4
3
cos(18.4) - cos2 (18.4) - cos2 (25)
Ca = cos(18.4)
=0.515
cos(18.4) + cos2 (18.4) - cos2 (25)
3

P a = (1/2)(0.515)(0.120 kips/ft )(10 ft) = 3.090 kips per foot of wall length

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General

The f angle shall be determined by the Materials Division from soil tests. If the f
angle cannot be provided by the Materials Division a f angle of 27 degrees shall
be used.
Drainage shall be provided to relieve water pressure from behind all cast-in-place
concrete retaining walls. If adequate drainage can not be provided then walls
shall be designed to resist the maximum anticipated water pressure.
Surcharge Due to Point, Line, and Strip Loads
Surcharge due to point and line loads on the soil being retained shall be included
as dead load surcharge. The effect of these loads on the wall may be calculated
using Figure 5.5.2B from AASHTO.
Surcharge due to strip loads on the soil being retained shall be included as a
dead load surcharge load. The following procedure as described in Principles of
Foundation Engineering by Braja M. Das (1995) shall be applied to calculate
these loads when strip loads are applicable. An example of this application is
when a retaining wall is used in front of an abutment so that the wall is retaining
the soil from behind the abutment as a strip load on the soil being retained by the
wall.

RETAINING WALL IN FRONT OF AN ABUTMENT

The portion of soil that is in the active wedge must be determined because the
surcharge pressure only affects the wall if it acts on the active wedge. The actual
failure surface in the backfill for the active state can be represented by ABC
shown in the figure below. An approximation to the failure surface based on
Rankine's active state is shown by dashed line AD. This approximation is slightly
unconservative because it neglects friction at the pseudo-wall to soil interface.
The following variables are shown in the figure below:
b = slope of the active failure plane in degrees
d = slope of fill in degrees
H = height of the pseudo-wall (fom the bottom of the footing).
L 1 = distance from back of stem to back of footing heel
L 2 = distance from footing heel to intersection of failure plane with ground
surface

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General

DETERMINATION OF ACTIVE WEDGES

In order to determine b the following equation which has been derived from
Rankine's active earth pressure theory must be solved by iteration:

1
1
1
+
=0
tan (b - f ) tan (b - d ) tan (90 + f + d - b )
f = angle of internal friction of soil in degrees
A good estimate for the first iteration is to let b = 45+ (f/2). In lieu of iterating the
above equation a conservative estimate for b is 45 degrees. Once b has been
established, an estimate of L 1 is needed to determine L 2 . From the geometry of
the variables shown in the above figure:
tan (- b ) +

L2 = H

cos d cos b
sin (b - d )

The resultant pressure due to the strip load surcharge and its location are then
determined. The following variables are shown in the figure below:
q = load per unit area
P s = resultant pressure on wall due only to surcharge earth pressure

z = location of P s measured from the bottom of the footing

L 3 = distance from back of stem to where surcharge pressure begins

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General

SURCHARGE PRESSURE ON RETAINING WALL

From the figure:

[ (

)]

q
H q 2 - q1 where
90
L
L
q1 = arctan 3 and q 2 = arctan 2
H
H
2
H (q 2 - q 1 ) - (R - Q ) + 57.30 L 4 H
z=
2 H (q 2 - q 1 )
Ps =

where

R = (L2 ) (90 - q 2 ) and Q = (L3 ) (90 - q1 )

2

When applicable, Ps is applied to the wall in addition to other earth pressures.

The wall is then designed as usual.
Live Load Surcharge
AASHTO 3.20.3 & 5.5.2

Live load surcharge pressure of not less than two feet of earth shall be applied to
the structure when highway traffic can come within a horizontal distance equal to
one-half of the wall height, measured from the plane where earth pressure is
applied.

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General

P LLS

LIVE LOAD SURCHARGE

= (2 ft) gs Ca H

P LLS = pressure due to live load surcharge only

g s = unit weight of soil (Note: AASHTO 5.5.2 specifies a minimum of 125 pcf
for live load surcharge, MoDOT policy allows 120 pcf as given from the
Weight of Materials Table of the Loads Section in the Bridge Manual.)
C a = coefficient of active earth pressure
H = height of the soil face at the vertical plane of interest
The vertical live load surcharge pressure should only be considered when
checking footing bearing pressures, when designing footing reinforcement, and
when collision loads are present.
Live Load Wheel Lines
Live load wheel lines shall be applied to the footing when the footing is used as a
riding or parking surface.
AASHTO 3.24.5.1.1
& 5.5.6.1

Distribute a LL WL equal to 16 kips as a strip load on the footing in the following

manner.

P=

LLWL
E

where E = 0.8X+3.75
X = distance in feet from the load to the front face of the wall
AASHTO 3.24.2 & 3.30

The wheel lines shall move 1 foot from the barrier curb or wall to 1 foot from the
toe of the footing.

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General

Collision Forces
AASHTO Figure 2.7.4B

Collision forces shall be applied to a wall that can be hit by traffic. Apply a point
load of 10 kips to the wall at a point 3 ft above the finished ground line.

SECTION
Distribute the force to the wall in the following manner:
Force per ft of wall =

10 kips
2L

PROFILE
When considering collision loads, a 25% overstress is allowed for bearing
pressures and a factor of safety of 1.2 shall be used for sliding and overturning.
Wind and Temperature Forces
These forces shall be disregarded except for special cases, consult the
Structural Project Manager.
When walls are greater than 84 feet long, an expansion joint shall be provided.
Contraction joint spacing shall not exceed 28 feet.
Seismic Loads
Retaining walls in Seismic Performance Category A (SPC A) and SPC B which
are located adjacent to roadways may be designed in accordance with AASHTO
specifications for SPC A. Retaining walls in SPC B which are located under a
bridge abutment or in a location where failure of the wall may affect the structural
integrity of a bridge shall be designed to AASHTO specifications for SPC B. All

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General

retaining walls located in SPC C and SPC D shall be designed in accordance to

AASHTO specifications for the corresponding SPC.
In seismic category B, C and D determine equivalent fluid pressure from
Mononobe-Okabe static method.
P AE = equivalent active earth pressure during an earthquake
1992 AASHTO Div. IA
Eqn. C6-3

1
PAE = g s H 2 (1 - k v )K AE where
2
K AE = seismic active pressure coefficient
1992 AASHTO Div. IA
Eqn. C6-4

K AE =

cos2 (f - q - b )

sin (f + d ) sin (f - q - i )
cos q cos b cos(d + b + q )1 +

cos(d + b + q ) cos(i - b )

g s = unit weight of soil

AASHTO 5.2.2.3
& Div. IA 6.4.3

k v = vertical acceleration coefficient

k h = horizontal acceleration coefficient which is equal to 0.5A for all walls,
but 1.5A for walls with battered piles where
A = seismic acceleration coefficient
The following variables are shown in the figure below:
f = angle of internal friction of soil
q=

k
arctan h
1 - kv

b = slope of soil face

d = angle of friction between soil and wall in degrees
i = backfill slope angle in degrees
H = distance from the bottom of the part of the wall to which the pressure is
applied to the top of the fill at the location where the earth pressure is to be
found.

ACTIVE SOIL WEDGE

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General

Group Loads
For SPC A and B (if wall does not support an abutment), apply AASHTO Group I
Loads only. Bearing capacity, stability and sliding shall be calculated using
working stress loads. Reinforced concrete design shall be calculated using load
factor design loads.
AASHTO Table 3.22.1A

AASHTO Group I Load Factors for Load Factor Design of concrete:

g = 1.3
b D = 1.0 for concrete weight
b D = 1.0 for flexural member
b E = 1.3 for lateral earth pressure for retaining walls
b E = 1.0 for vertical earth pressure
b LL = 1.67 for live load wheel lines
b LL = 1.67 for collision forces
AASHTO 5.14.2

b E = 1.67 for vertical earth pressure resulting from live load surcharge
b E = 1.3 for horizontal earth pressure resulting from live load surcharge
For SPC B (if wall supports an abutment), C, and D apply AASHTO Group I
Loads and seismic loads in accordance with AASHTO Division IA - Seismic
Design Specifications.
AASHTO Div. IA 4.7.3

When seismic loads are considered, load factor for all loads = 1.0.

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Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page 2.1-1
MSE Walls

3.62.2 Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls

2.1 Design
Designs of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls are completed by
consultants or contractors in accordance with Section 5 of the AASHTO
Specifications. MoDOT Internet site contains a listing of facing unit
manufacturers, soil reinforcement suppliers, and wall system suppliers which
have been approved for use. See Sec 720 and 1010 of Missouri Standard
Specifications for additional information. Geotechnical Section is responsible for
checking global stability, which should be reported on the Foundation
Investigation Geotechnical Report. For MSE wall preliminary information, see
EPG 751.1.4.3 MSE Walls.
General policy
Small block walls are limited to a 10 foot height in one lift.
For small block walls, top cap units shall be used and shall be permanently
attached by means of a resin anchor system.
For large block walls, capstone may be substituted for coping and either shall
be permanently attached to wall by panel dowels.
MSE walls shall not be used where exposure to acid water may occur such
as in areas of coal mining.
MSE walls shall not be used where scour is a problem.
MSE walls with metallic soil reinforcement shall not be used where stray
electrical ground currents may occur as would be present near electrical
substations.
No utilities shall be allowed in the reinforced earth if future access to the
utilities would require that the reinforcement layers be cut, or if there is a
potential for material, which can cause degradation of the soil reinforcement,
to leak out of the utilities into the wall backfill, with the exception of storm
water drainage.
The interior angle between two walls must be greater than 70 degrees.
Small block walls may be battered up to 1.5 inches per foot.
The friction angle used for the computation of horizontal forces within the
reinforced soil shall be greater than or equal to 34 degrees.
All reinforcement shall be epoxy coated in the concrete face for walls subject
to spraying from adjacent roadways (approximately 10 feet or less from the
curb.)
All concrete except facing panels or units shall be CLASS B or B-1.
The friction angle of the soil to be retained by the reinforced earth shall be
listed on the plans as well as the friction angle for the foundation material the
wall is to rest on.
Seismic performance category and acceleration coefficient shall be listed on
the plans.
Factors of Safety for MSE walls shall be 2.0 for overturning, 1.5 for sliding,
2.0 for ultimate bearing capacity and 1.5 for pullout resistance.
Factors of Safety for seismic design shall be 1.5 for overturning and 1.1 for
sliding.
Gutter type should be selected at the core team meeting.
When gutter is required without fencing, use Type A or Type B gutter (for
detail, see Mo. Std. Plan 609.00).

Effective: March 2011

Supersedes: Feb. 2010

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page 2.1-2
MSE Walls

When gutter is required with fencing, use Modified Type A or Modified Type
B gutter (for detail, see Mo. Std. Plan 607.11).
When fencing is required without gutter, place in tube and grout behind the
MSE wall (for detail, see Page 2.2-5).
Do not use small block walls in the following locations:
Within the splash zone from snow removal operations (assumed to be
15 feet from the edge of the shoulder).
Where the blocks will be continuously wetted, such as around sources of
water.
Where blocks will be located behind barrier curbs or other obstacles,
which will trap salt-laden snow from removal operations.
For structurally critical applications, such as containing necessary fill
around structures.
In tiered wall systems.

For locations where small block walls are not desirable, consider coloring
agents and/or architectural forms using large block walls for aesthetic
installations.

Drainage pipes for all large and small block walls shall be a minimum of a 6
diameter perforated PVC or PE pipe (See Sec 1013) unless larger sizes are
required by design by the wall manufacturer. Show drainage pipe size on
plans. Screens should be installed and maintained on drain pipe outlets.
Outlet screens and cleanouts should be detailed (shown on construction
drawing).

MSE Wall Construction:

Corrugated Metal Pipe Pile Spacers Guidance:
Corrugated metal pipe pile spacers (CMPPS) shall be used at pile locations
behind mechanically stabilized earth walls to protect the wall reinforcement when
driving pile for the bridge substructure at end bents(s). CMPPS shall have an
inside diameter greater than that of the pile and large enough to avoid damage to
the pipe when driving the pile. The bottom of the CMPPS shall be placed 5 min.
below the bottom of the MSE wall leveling pad. The pipe shall be filled with sand
or other approved material after the pile is placed and before driving. CMPPS
shall be accurately located and capped for future pile construction.
Alternatively, the contractor shall be given the option of driving the piles before
construction of the retaining wall and placing the wall reinforcing and backfill
material around the piling. The contractor shall adequately support the piling to
insure that proper pile alignment is maintained during the wall construction. The
contractors plan for bracing the pile shall be submitted to the engineer for
review. Piling shall be designed for downdrag (DD) loads due to either method.
Oversized CMPPS with sand placed after driving may be considered to mitigate
some of the effects of downdrag (DD) loads. Oversized CMPPS shall account

Effective: Sept. 2011

Supersedes: March 2011

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page 2.1-3
MSE Walls

for pile size, thermal movements of the bridge, pile placement plan, and vertical
and horizontal placement tolerances.
The minimum clearance from the back face of MSE walls to the front face of the
end bent beam shall be 3-9 (Typ.). The 3-9 dimension is based on the use of
18 CMPPS & FHWA-NHI-10-24, Figure 5-17C, which will help ensure that soil
reinforcement is not skewed more than 15 for nut and bolt reinforcement
connections. Other types of connections may require different methods for
splaying. In the event that the 3-9 dimension or setback cannot be used, the
following guidance for CMPPS clearance shall be used: CMPPS shall be placed
18 clear min. from the back face of MSE wall panels; 12 minimum clearance is
required between CMPPS and leveling pad and 18 minimum clearance is
required between leveling pad and pile.
MSE Wall Plan and Geometrics

Effective: Sept. 2011

A plan view shall be drawn showing a baseline or centerline, roadway

stations and wall offsets. The plan shall contain enough information to
properly locate the wall. The ultimate right of way shall also be shown,
unless it is of a significant distance from the wall and will have no bearing
on the wall design or construction.
Stations and offsets are established between one construction baseline
or roadway centerline and a wall control line (baseline). Some wall
designs contain a slight batter, while others are vertical. A wall control
line is set at the front face of the wall, either along the top or at the base
of the wall, whichever is critical to the proposed improvements. For
battered walls, to allow for batter adjustments of the stepped level pad or
variation of the top of the wall, the wall control line (baseline) is to be
shown at a fixed elevation. For battered walls, the offset location and
elevation of control line shall be indicated. All horizontal breaks in the
wall are given station-offset points, and walls with curvature indicate
station-offsets to the PC and PT of the wall, and the radius.
Any obstacles which may possibly interfere with wall reinforcing strips
are shown. Drainage structures, lighting, or truss pedestals and footings,
etc. are to be shown, with station offset to centerline of the obstacle, with
obstacle size. Skew angles are shown to indicate the angle between a
wall and a pipe or box which runs through the wall.
Elevations at the top and bottom of the wall shall be shown at 25 foot
intervals and at any break points in the wall.
Curve data and/or offsets shall be shown at all changes in horizontal
alignment. If battered wall systems are used on curved structures, show
offsets at 10 foot (max.) intervals from the baseline.
Details of any architectural finishes (formliners, concrete coloring, etc.).
Details of threaded rod connecting the top cap block.
Estimated quantities, total sq. ft. of mechanically stabilized earth
systems.

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Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page 2.1-4
MSE Walls

Proposed grade and theoretical top of leveling pad elevation shall be

shown in constant slope. Slope line shall be adjusted per project. Top of
wall or coping elevation and stationing shall be shown in the developed
elevation per project. If leveling pad is anticipated to encounter rock,
then contact the Geotechnical Section for leveling pad minimum
embedment requirements.

MSE Wall Cross Sections

Effective: Sept. 2011

A typical wall section for general information is shown.

Additional sections are drawn for any special criteria. The front face of
the wall is drawn vertical, regardless of the wall type.
Any fencing and barrier curb are shown.
Barriers if needed are shown on the cross section. Concrete barriers are
attached to the roadway or shoulder pavement, not to the MSE wall.
Standard Type B barrier curbs are placed along wall faces when traffic
has access to the front face of the wall over shoulders of paved areas.

Supersedes: March 2011

Effective: Aug. 2011

Line

"A"

Report

and

"
11~7

Supersedes: Feb. 2010

and

Wall

00+575.82

not

shown

Median

for

10 "
104~
for

Elev. 708.37
Vista

clarity.

Ponte

clarity.

Sta. 00+610.51

"
23~1

Pad

PLAN

Sta. 23+773.23

M.S.E.

Sta.

Wall

Leveling

of

Face of

Elev. 708.37
shown

Sta. 00+644.26

Elev. 704.37

Sta. 00+679.58

Elev. 697.40

Const.

Route

23+946.95

00+731.63

Sta.

Sta.

Drive

2.2 DETAILS

Coping

Baseline

Front

Sta. 00+577.53

ELEVATION

not

Drive

0+323.59

Vista

Sta.

Ponte

PC

Pad

DEVELOPED

Grade

wall)

Proposed

Leveling

requirements.)

wall)

3.62

Note:

Note:

maximum

Geotechnical

Elevation

embedment

Pad

of

stability

feet,

global

(2

Minimum

Leveling

Top

"A"

block

Retaining Wall - Section

Sta.

Match

Line

Theoretical

Match

Coping

of

(large

Top

block

Wall

or

of

(small

End Sta. 00+731.63

Elev. 677.09

Top

Bridge Manual
Page: 2.2-1
MSE Walls

Elev. 680.97

2 "
156~

E6201

Sta. 00+717.63
Elev. 686.32

Elev.

(Min.)

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 2.2-2

6"

Reinforced coping
shall be attached
to wall by panel
***

2~0"

dowels.

(Min.)

MSE Walls

**

Front Face
of Wall
Joint Seal

Retained
Material

(Rdwy Item)
Separation
Geotextile
Sec 1011

Soil Reinforcement (Typ.)

Joint Filler

Select Granular
Backfill for
Structural Systems
Sec 1010

6"

1" (Typ.)

Slope
Excavation Line
Separation
Geotextile
Sec 1011

(Min.)

(Min.)

(Rdwy Item)

Drainage System
12"

Sec 720 and

12"

Sec 1013 *

(Min.)

(Min.)
1

**

***

The designer shall show on the plans the minimum embedment = max (2, embedment
based on Geotechnical Report and global stability requirements). Minimum embedment
shall be provided in accordance with AASHTO 5.8.1 & Geotechnical Report.
Minimum 6" diameter perforated PVC or PE pipe, unless larger size pipes are
required by design by wall manufacturer.
Topmost layer of reinforcement shall be fully covered with select granular
backfill for structural systems, as approved by the wall manufacturer, before
placement of the Separation Geotextile.
Inverted U-shape reinforced capstone may be used in lieu of coping. Panel
dowels for capstone shall be required and as provided by manufacturer.

TYPICAL SECTION THRU GENERIC LARGE BLOCK WALL

**

Front Face
of Wall

Soil Reinforcement (Typ.)

Retained
Material

Unit Fill
Sec 720

Select Granular
Backfill for
Structural Systems
Sec 1010

6"

1" (Typ.)

Slope
Excavation Line
Separation
Geotextile
Sec 1011

(Min.)

(Min.)

12" (Min.)

Drainage System
Sec 720 and
Sec 1013 *

12"

12"
(Min.)

(Min.)
1

The designer shall show on the plans the minimum embedment = max (2, embedment
based on Geotechnical Report and global stability requirements). Minimum embedment
shall be provided in accordance with AASHTO 5.8.1 & Geotechnical Report.

**

Minimum 6" diameter perforated PVC or PE pipe, unless larger size pipes are
required by design by wall manufacturer.
Topmost layer of reinforcement shall be fully covered with select granular
backfill for structural systems, as approved by the wall manufacturer, before
placement of the Separation Geotextile.

TYPICAL SECTION THRU GENERIC SMALL BLOCK WALL

Effective: Feb. 2010

Supersedes: April 2009

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 2.2-3
MSE Walls

Reinforced coping shall

be attached to wall by
panel dowels (coping only
at large block wall).

A minimum horizontal bench

4~0" wide shall be provided

Front Face of Wall

in front of the wall

1 The designer shall show on the

plans the minimum embedment =
max (2, embedment based on

(Min)

Geotechnical Report and global

stability requirements).

Minimum

embedment shall be provided in

accordance with AASHTO 5.8.1 &
Geotechnical Report.

* Inverted U-shape reinforced

capstone may be used in lieu of
4~0"(Min.)

coping.

Bench

Panel dowels for capstone

shall be required and as provided

by manufacturer.

TYPICAL SECTION THRU ANY

MSE WALL FOUNDED ON SLOPE

1/2" Nut
(Welded to rod)

4" (Typ.)

Cap Blocks

Flat washer

1/2"

Steel Rod

WALL PROFILE

1/2"

rods (Typ.)
3"

1/2" Ground point

DETAILS OF 1/2" THREADED

ROD OR REINFORCING ROD
5"(Typ.)

Front Face of Wall

WALL PLAN
Note:
Holes are 5/8" round, extend 4" into the third layer of blocks, recessed 2" deep by
1-1/2" round.
Rods or reinforcing bars are secured by an approved resin anchor system in accordance
with Sec 1039.
Recess hole to be backfilled with non-shrink cement grout.

CAPSTONE ANCHOR DETAILS

Effective: Feb. 2010

Supersedes: May 2004

3.62-05/17/04

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 2.2-4
MSE Walls

BATTERED SMALL BLOCK WALLS

Battered mechanically stabilized earth wall systems may be used unless the design layout
specifically calls for a vertical wall (large block walls shall not be battered and small
block walls may be built vertical). If a battered MSE wall system is allowed, then the
following note shall be placed on the design plans:

"The top and bottom of wall elevations are given for a vertical wall. If a battered small
block wall system is used, the height of the wall shall be adjusted as necessary to fit the
ground slope. If fence is built on an extended gutter, then the height of the wall shall be
adjusted further."

For battered walls, note on the plans whether the horizontal offset from the baseline
is fixed at the top or bottom of the wall. Horizontal offset and corresponding vertical
elevation shall be noted on plans.

1 1/2 "
(Max.)

12"

TYPICAL SECTION THRU

GENERIC SMALL BLOCK WALL

Effective: Feb. 2010

Supersedes: Oct. 2002

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Page: 2.2-5

Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

MSE Walls

FENCING

Notes:
Fencing may be installed on the Modified Type A or Modified
Type B Gutter or behind the MSE Wall.
For Modified Type A and Modified Type B Gutter and Fence Post
Connection details, see Missouri Standard Plans No. 607.11.
For Fence Post Connection Behind MSE Wall, see detail below.

2"
6"

Pipe Post,

Tube and

Fence

Fill with Grout

18" (min)
Front Face
of MSE Wall

6"

Tube

FENCE POST CONNECTION

BEHIND MSE WALL
(WITHOUT GUTTER)

Effective: Feb. 2010

Supersedes: Oct. 2005

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.1-1
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

3.62.3 Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

3.1 Unit Stresses
Concrete
Concrete for retaining walls shall be Class B Concrete (f'c = 3000 psi)
unless the footing is used as a riding surface in which case Class B-1
Concrete (f'c = 4000 psi) shall be used.
Reinforcing Steel
Reinforcing Steel shall be Grade 60 (fy = 60,000 psi).
Pile Footing
For piling capacities, see the Unit Stresses and Piling Sections of the
Bridge Manual.
Spread Footing
For foundation material capacity, see the Unit Stresses Section of the
Bridge Manual and the Design Layout Sheet.

Effective: Feb. 2, 2004 Supercedes: December 1998

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Page 3.2-1
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

3.2 Design
If the height of the wall or fill is a variable dimension, then base the structural
design of the wall, toe, and heel on the high quarter point between expansion
joints.

Spread Footings

Location of Resultant
AASHTO 5.5.5

The resultant of the footing pressure must be within the section of the footing
specified in the following table.
When Retaining
Wall is Built on:
Soil
Rock

a
c

AASHTO Group
Loads I-VI

For Seismic
Loads

Middle 1/3

Middle 1/2

Middle 1/2

Middle 2/3

a. Soil is defined as clay, clay and boulders, cemented gravel, soft shale,
etc. with allowable bearing values less than 6 tons/sq. ft.
b. MoDOT is more conservative than AASHTO in this requirement.
c. Rock is defined as rock or hard shale with allowable bearing values of 6
tons/sq. ft. or more.
Note:
The location of the resultant is not critical when considering collision loads.

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Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Factor of Safety Against Overturning

AASHTO 5.5.5

AASHTO Group Loads I - VI:

F.S. for overturning 2.0 for footings on soil.
F.S. for overturning 1.5 for footings on rock.
For seismic loading, F.S. for overturning may be reduced to 75% of the value
for AASHTO Group Loads I - VI. For seismic loading:
F.S. for overturning (0.75)(2.0) = 1.5 for footings on soil.
F.S. for overturning (0.75)(1.5) = 1.125 for footings on rock.
For collision forces:
F.S. for overturning 1.2.
Factor of Safety Against Sliding
AASHTO 5.5.5

Only spread footings on soil need be checked for sliding because spread
footings on rock or shale are embedded into the rock.
F.S. for sliding 1.5 for AASHTO Group Loads I - VI.
F.S. for sliding (0.75)(1.5) = 1.125 for seismic loads.
F.S. for sliding 1.2 for collision forces.
The resistance to sliding may be increased by:
adding a shear key that projects into the soil below the footing.
widening the footing to increase the weight and therefore increase the
frictional resistance to sliding.
Passive Resistance of Soil to Lateral Load
The Rankine formula for passive pressure can be used to determine the
passive resistance of soil to the lateral force on the wall. This passive
pressure is developed at shear keys in retaining walls and at end abutments.
AASHTO Figure 5.5.5A

The passive pressure against the front face of the wall and the footing of a
retaining wall is loosely compacted and should be neglected when
considering sliding.
Rankine formula: PP =

1
C P g S H 2 - H 12 where the following variables
2

are defined in the figure below:

C P = tan 2 45 o +
2

2
H 1 y 22 + y 23
3
y1 =
H 2 - H 12

PP
CP
gS
H
H1
y1

= passive force at shear key in pounds per foot of wall length

= coefficient of passive earth pressure
= unit weight of soil
= height of front face fill less 1 foot min. for erosion
= H minus depth of shear key
= location of

PP from bottom of footing

f = angle of internal friction of soil

Revised: Sept. 2002

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Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page 3.2-3
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

AASHTO 5.5.2

The resistance due to passive pressure in front of the shear key shall be
neglected unless the key extends below the depth of frost penetration.
MoDOT Materials Division

Frost line is set at 36 inches at the north border of Missouri and at 18" at the
south border.
Passive Pressure During Seismic Loading
During an earthquake, the passive resistance of soil to lateral loads is slightly
decreased. The Mononobe-Okabe static method is used to determine the
equivalent fluid pressure.
PP E = equivalent passive earth pressure during an earthquake
1992 AASHTO Div.IA Eqn. C6-5

1
PPE = g S H 2 (1 - kV )K PE where:
2
1992 AASHTO Div.1A Eqn. C6-6

K PE = seismic passive pressure coefficient

K PE =

cos 2 (f - q + b )

sin (f + d )sin (f - q + i )
cosq cos b cos(d - b + q )1
cos(d - b + q ) cos(i - b )

g S = unit weight of soil

H = height of soil at the location where the earth pressure is to
be found

kV = vertical acceleration coefficient

f = angle of internal friction of soil

kh

1 - kV

q = arctan

k H = horizontal acceleration coefficient

b = slope of soil face in degrees

Revised: Sept. 2002

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Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page 3.2-4
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

i = backfill slope angle in degrees

d = angle of friction between soil and wall
Special Soil Conditions
Due to creep, some soft clay soils have no passive resistance under a
continuing load. Removal of undesirable material and replacement with
suitable material such as sand or crushed stone is necessary in such cases.
Generally, this condition is indicated by a void ratio above 0.9, an angle of
internal friction (f) less than 22o, or a soil shear less than 0.8 ksf. Soil shear
is determined from a standard penetration test.

blows
Soil Shear k =
2
ft

per

12 in

10

Friction
In the absence of tests, the total shearing resistance to lateral loads between
the footing and a soil that derives most of its strength from internal friction
may be taken as the normal force times a coefficient of friction. If the plane at
which frictional resistance is evaluated is not below the frost line then this
resistance must be neglected.
When A Shear Key Is Not Used

Sliding is resisted by the friction force developed at the interface between the
soil and the concrete footing along the failure plane. The coefficient of
friction for soil against concrete can be taken from the table below. If soil data
is not readily available or is inconsistent, the friction factor (f) can be taken as

2
f = tan f where f is the angle of internal friction of the soil (Civil
3

Engineering Reference Manual by Michael R. Lindeburg, 6th ed., 1992).

AASHTO Table 5.5.2B

Coefficient of Friction Values for Soil Against Concrete

Soil Type

Revised: Sept. 2002

Coefficient of Friction

coarse-grained soil without silt

0.55

coarse-grained soil with silt

0.45

Silt (only)

0.35

clay

0.30

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Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page 3.2-5
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

a. It is not necessary to check rock or shale for sliding due to embedment.

b. Caution should be used with soils with f < 22o or soil shear < 0.8 k/sq.ft.
(soft clay soils). Removal and replacement of such soil with suitable
material should be considered.
When A Shear Key Is Used

When a shear key is used, the failure plane is located at the bottom of the
shear key in the front half of the footing. The friction force resisting sliding in
front of the shear key is provided at the interface between the stationary layer
of soil and the moving layer of soil, thus the friction angle is the internal angle
of friction of the soil (soil against soil). The friction force resisting sliding on
the rest of the footing is of that between the concrete and soil. Theoretically
the bearing pressure distribution should be used to determine how much
normal load exists on each surface, however it is reasonable to assume a
constant distribution. Thus the normal load to each surface can be divided
out between the two surfaces based on the fractional length of each and the
total frictional force will be the sum of the normal load on each surface
multiplied by the corresponding friction factor.
Bearing Pressure
Group Loads I - VI
AASHTO 4.4.7.1.2 & 4.4.8.1.3

The bearing capacity failure factor of safety for Group Loads I - VI must be
greater than or equal to 3.0. This factor of safety is figured into the allowable
bearing pressure given on the "Design Layout Sheet".
The bearing pressure on the supporting soil shall not be greater than the
allowable bearing pressure given on the "Design Layout Sheet".
Seismic Loads
AASHTO Div. IA 6.3.1(B)

When seismic loads are considered, AASHTO allows the ultimate bearing
capacity to be used. The ultimate capacity of the foundation soil can be
conservatively estimated as 2.0 times the allowable bearing pressure given
on the "Design Layout".

Revised: Sept. 2002

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Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page 3.2-6
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Stem Design
AASHTO 5.5.6.2

The vertical stem (the wall portion) of a cantilever retaining wall shall be
designed as a cantilever supported at the base.
Footing Design
AASHTO 5.5.6.1

Toe
The toe of the base slab of a cantilever wall shall be designed as a cantilever
supported by the wall. The critical section for bending moments shall be
taken at the front face of the stem. The critical section for shear shall be
taken at a distance d (d = effective depth) from the front face of the stem.
Heel
The rear projection (heel) of the base slab shall be designed to support the
entire weight of the superimposed materials, unless a more exact method is
used. The heel shall be designed as a cantilever supported by the wall. The
critical section for bending moments and shear shall be taken at the back
face of the stem.
Shear Key Design
The shear key shall be designed as a cantilever supported at the bottom of
the footing.
Pile Footings
Footings shall be cast on piles when specified on the "Design Layout Sheet". If the
horizontal force against the retaining wall cannot otherwise be resisted, some of the
piles shall be driven on a batter.
Pile Arrangement
For retaining walls subject to moderate horizontal loads (walls 15 to 20 feet
high), the following layout is suggested.

SECTION

Revised: Sept. 2002

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Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page 3.2-7
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

PLAN
For higher walls and more extreme conditions of loading, it may be
necessary to:
use the same number of piles along all rows
use three rows of piles
provide batter piles in more than one row
Loading Combinations for Stability and Bearing
The following table gives the loading combinations to be checked for stability
and pile loads. These abbreviations are used in the table:
DL = dead load weight of the wall elements
SUR = two feet of live load surcharge
E = earth weight
EP = equivalent fluid earth pressure
COL = collision force
EQ = earthquake inertial force of failure wedge
Sliding Factor of Safety
Loading
Case
a

I
II
III
IV

Vertical
Loads
DL+SUR+E
DL+SUR+E
DL+E
DL+E

Horizontal
Loads
EP+SUR
EP+SUR+COL
EP
None

Overturning
Factor of Safety
1.5
1.2
1.5
-----

Battered
Toe Piles
1.5
1.2
1.5
-----

Vertical
Toe Piles
2.0
1.2
2.0
-----

DL+E

EP+EQ

1.125

1.125

1.5

a. Load Case I should be checked with and without the vertical surcharge.
b. A 25% overstress is allowed on the heel pile in Load Case IV.
c. The factors of safety for earthquake loading are 75% of that used in Load
Case III. Battered piles are not recommended for use in seismic performance
categories B, C, and D. Seismic design of retaining walls is not required in
SPC A and B. Retaining walls in SPC B located under a bridge abutment
shall be designed to AASHTO Specifications for SPC B.

Revised: Sept. 2002

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Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page 3.2-8
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Pile Properties and Capacities

For Load Cases I-IV in the table above, the allowable compressive pile force
may be taken from the pile capacity table in the Piling Section of the Bridge
Manual which is based in part on AASHTO 4.5.7.3. Alternatively, the
allowable compressive pile capacity of a friction pile may be determined from
the ultimate frictional and bearing capacity between the soil and pile divided
by a safety factor of 3.5 (AASHTO Table 4.5.6.2.A). The maximum amount of
tension allowed on a heel pile is 3 tons.
For Load Case V in the table above, the allowable compressive pile force
may be taken from the pile capacity table in the Piling Section of the Bridge
Manual multiplied by the appropriate factor (2.0 for steel bearing piles, 1.5 for
friction piles). Alternatively, the allowable compressive pile capacity of a
friction pile may be determined from the ultimate frictional and bearing
capacity between the soil and pile divided by a safety factor of 2.0. The
allowable tension force on a bearing or friction pile will be equal to the
ultimate friction capacity between the soil and pile divided by a safety factor
of 2.0.
To calculate the ultimate compressive or tensile capacity between the soil
and pile requires the boring data which includes the SPT blow counts, the
friction angle, the water level, and the soil layer descriptions.
Assume the vertical load carried by battered piles is the same as it would be
if the pile were vertical. The properties of piles may be found in the Piling
Section of the Bridge Manual.
Neutral Axis of Pile Group
Locate the neutral axis of the pile group in the repetitive strip from the
toe of the footing at the bottom of the footing.
Moment of Inertia of Pile Group
The moment of inertia of the pile group in the repetitive strip about the
neutral axis of the section may be determined using the parallel axis
theorem:

I = (I A ) + Ad 2 where :

I A = moment of inertia of a pile about its neutral axis

IA

A = area of a pile
d = distance from a pile's neutral axis to pile group's neutral axis
may be neglected so the equation reduces to:

I = (Ad 2 )

Resistance To Sliding
Any frictional resistance to sliding shall be ignored, such as would occur
between the bottom of the footing and the soil on a spread footing.

Revised: Sept. 2002

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Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page 3.2-9
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Friction or Bearing Piles With Batter (Case 1)

Retaining walls using friction or bearing piles with batter should develop
lateral strength (resistance to sliding) first from the batter component of the
pile and second from the passive pressure against the shear key and the
piles.
Friction or Bearing Piles Without Batter (Case 2)
Retaining walls using friction or bearing piles without batter due to site
constrictions should develop lateral strength first from the passive pressure
against the shear key and second from the passive pressure against the pile
below the bottom of footing. In this case, the shear key shall be placed at the
front face of the footing.
Concrete Pedestal Piles or Drilled Shafts (Case 3)
Retaining walls using concrete pedestal piles should develop lateral strength
first from passive pressure against the shear key and second from passive
pressure against the pile below the bottom of the footing. In this case, the
shear key shall be placed at the front of the footing. Do not batter concrete
pedestal piles.

CASE 1

CASE 2 & 3

Resistance Due to Passive Pressure Against Pile

The procedure below may be used to determine the passive pressure
resistance developed in the soil against the piles. The procedure assumes
that the piles develop a local failure plane.
F = the lateral force due to passive pressure on pile

F =

gs
H
CP
B
f

Revised: Sept. 2002

1
g s C P H 2 B where :
2

C p = tan 2 45 +
2

= unit weight of soil

= depth of pile considered for lateral resistance (Hmax= 6B)
= coefficient of active earth pressure
= width of pile
= angle of internal friction of soil

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Page 3.2-10
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Resistance Due to Pile Batter

Use the horizontal component (due to pile batter) of the allowable pile
load as the lateral resistance of the battered pile. (This presupposes
that sufficient lateral movement of the wall can take place before failure
to develop the ultimate strength of both elements.)
c

12
b

b = the amount of batter per 12 inches.

c=

(12 in) + (b)

2

b
PT (# of battered piles) where:
c

PHBatter

PHBatter

= the horizontal force due to the battered piles

PT = the allowable pile load

Maximum batter is 4" per 12".
Resistance Due to Shear Keys
A shear key may be needed if the passive pressure against the piles
and the horizontal force due to batter is not sufficient to attain the
factor of safety against sliding. The passive pressure against the
shear key on a pile footing is found in the same manner as for spread
footings.

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Page 3.2-11
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Resistance to Overturning
The resisting and overturning moments shall be computed at the
centerline of the toe pile at a distance of 6B (where B is the width of
the pile) below the bottom of the footing. A maximum of 3 tons of
tension on each heel pile may be assumed to resist overturning. Any
effects of passive pressure, either on the shear key or on the piles,
which resist overturning, shall be ignored.

Pile Properties
Location of Resultant
The location of the resultant shall be evaluated at the bottom of the
footing and can be determined by the equation below:
e=

M
where :
V

e = the distance between the resultant and the neutral axis of the
pile group
M = the sum of the moments taken about the neutral axis of
the pile group at the bottom of the footing
V = the sum of the vertical loads used in calculating the
moment
Pile Loads
The loads on the pile can be determined as follows:

P=

V Mc

Where:
I
A

P = the force on the pile

A = the areas of all the piles being considered
M = the moment of the resultant about the neutral axis
c = distance from the neutral axis to the centerline of the pile
being investigated
I = the moment of inertia of the pile group

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Page 3.2-12
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Stem Design
AASHTO 5.5.6.2

The vertical stem (the wall portion) of a cantilever retaining wall shall
be designed as a cantilever supported at the base.
Footing Design
Toe
AASHTO 5.5.6.1

The toe of the base slab of a cantilever wall shall be designed as

a cantilever supported by the wall. The critical section for
bending moments shall be taken at the front face of the stem.
The critical section for shear shall be taken at a distance d (d =
effective depth) from the front face of the stem.
Heel
AASHTO 5.5.6.1

The top reinforcement in the rear projection (heel) of the base

slab shall be designed to support the entire weight of the
superimposed materials plus any tension load in the heel piles
(neglect compression loads in the pile), unless a more exact
method is used. The bottom reinforcement in the heel of the
base slab shall be designed to support the maximum
compression load in the pile neglecting the weight of the
superimposed materials. The heel shall be designed as a
cantilever supported by the wall. The critical sections for bending
moments and shear shall be taken at the back face of the stem.
Shear Key Design
The shear key shall be designed as a cantilever supported at the
bottom of the footing.

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Page: 3.3-1

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

3.3 Example 1: Spread Footing Cantilever Wall

10 "

= 18.435
3:1

Batter

1"
8

per foot

Vertical
3

8'-0"
Failure Plane A

H = 10 ' - 8 "

Failure Plane B

23 "
PAV
12 "
2'-0"
H2

H1

18 "

PA
PAH

2'-6"

Pp

6'-8"

11 "

2'

L2

12 "

L3
L1= 9 ' - 6 "

TYPICAL SECTION THRU WALL

(Spread Footing)

f'c = 3,000 psi fy = 60,000 psi

= 24========s = 120 pcf (unit wgt of soil)
Allowable soil pressure = 2 tsf============================c = 150 pcf (unit wgt of concr.)
Retaining wall is located in Seismic Performance Category (SPC) B.
A = 0.1 (A = seismic acceleration coefficient)
P a = 12 s C a H 2

P p = 12 s C p H 22 H 21

Assumptions
Retaining wall is under an abutment or in a location where failure of the
wall may affect the structural integrity of a bridge. Therefore, it must be
designed for SPC B.
Design is for a unit length (1 foot) of wall.
Sum moments about the toe at the bottom of the footing for overturning.
For Group Loads I-VI loading:
F.S. for overturning 2.0 for footings on soil.
F.S. for sliding 1.5.
Resultant to be within middle 1/3 of footing.
For earthquake loading:
F.S. for overturning 0.75(2.0) = 1.5.
F.S. for sliding 0.75(1.5) = 1.125.
Resultant to be within middle 1/2 of footing.
Base of footing is below the frost line.
Neglect top one foot of fill over toe when determining passive pressure
and soil weight.

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Page: 3.3-2

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Use of a shear key shifts the failure plane to "B" where resistance to
sliding is provided by passive pressure against the shear key, friction of
soil along failure plane "B" in front of the key, and friction between soil
and concrete along the footing behind the key.
Soil cohesion along failure plane is neglected.
Footings are designed as cantilevers supported by the wall.
Critical sections for bending are at the front and back faces of the
wall.
Critical sections for shear are at the back face of the wall for the heel
and at a distance d (effective depth) from the front face for the toe.
Neglect soil weight above toe of footing in design of the toe.
The wall is designed as a cantilever supported by the footing.
Load factors for AASHTO Groups I - VI for design of concrete:
= 1.3.
E = 1.3 for horizontal earth pressure on retaining walls.
E = 1.0 for vertical earth pressure.
Load factor for earthquake loads = 1.0.
Lateral Pressures Without Earthquake

cos cos 2 cos 2 
C a = cos 

2
2
 cos + cos cos

cos 18.435 o
C a = cos 18.435 o 
 cos 18.435 o +

cos 2 18.435 o cos 2 24 o

cos 2 18.435 o cos 2 24 o

C p = tan 2 (45 o + 2 ) = tan 2 (45 o +

24 o
)
2


 = 0.546

= 2.371

P A = 12
0.120 ftk3  (1ft)(0.546)(10.667ft) 2 = 3.726k


P P = 12
0.120 ftk3  (1ft)(2.371)
 (5.0) 2 (2.5) 2  = 2.668k

P AV = P A (sin ) = 3.726k(sin 18.435 o ) = 1.178k
P AH = P A (cos ) = 3.726k(cos 18.435 o ) = 3.534k

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.3-3

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Load

Area
(ft2)

Force (k) =
(Unit Wgt.)(Area)

Arm
(ft)

Moment (ft-k)

(1)

(0.5)(6.667ft)(2.222ft) = 7.407

0.889

7.278

6.469

(2)

(6.667ft)(6.944ft) = 46.296

5.556

6.167

34.259

(3)

(0.833ft)(8.000ft) +
(0.5)(0.083ft)(8.000ft) = 7.000

1.050

2.396

2.515

(4)

(1.500ft)(9.500ft) = 14.250

2.138

4.750

10.153

(5)

(2.500ft)(1.000ft) = 2.500

0.375

2.500

0.938

(6)

(1.000ft)(1.917ft)+
(0.5)(0.010ft)(1.000ft) = 1.922

0.231

0.961

0.222

V = 10.239

PAV

1.178

resisting

V = 11.417

PAH

3.534

9.500

11.192
MR = 65.748

3.556

12.567

2.668

PP

MR = 54.556

1.389

a. The passive capacity at the shear key is ignored in overturning checks,since this
capacity is considered in the factor of safety against sliding. It is assumed that a
sliding and overturning failure will not occur simultaneously. The passive capacity at
the shear key is developed only if the wall does slide.
y=

H 1 y 2 + 23 y 3
H 22 H 21

(2.5ft)(2.5ft) 2 + 23 (2.5ft) 3
(5.0ft) 2 (2.5ft) 2

= 1.389ft
H1
H2
y

Overturning
F.S. =

MR
M OT

PP

65.748(ftk)
12.567(ftk)

= 5.232 2.0

o.k.

where: MOT = overturning moment; MR = resisting

moment
Resultant Eccentricity
x=
e=
L
6

(65.74812.567)(ftk)
= 4.658ft
11.417k
9.500ft
4.658ft = 0.092ft
2
9.500ft
= 1.583ft > e o.k.
6

Sliding
Check if shear key is required for Group Loads I-VI:
F.S. =

V(tan sc )
P AH

11.042k(tan 23 (24 ))
3.534k

= 0.896

no good - shear key req'd

where: s-c = angle of friction between soil and concrete = (2/3)s-s

F.S. =

Revised: December 1998

L
L
P p +(V) L 2 tan ss + L 3 tan sc
1

P AH

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.3-4

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

where: s-s = angle of internal friction of soil

F.S. =

2ft
7.50ft
2.668k+(11.417k) 9.50ft tan 24 + 9.50ft tan 23 (24 )

3.534k

= 1.789 1.5

o.k.

Footing Pressure
P = V
 1 6Le 
bL

PH = pressure at heel

PH =

PT = pressure at toe

PT =

6(0.092ft)
11.417k

1 9.50ft 
(1ft)9.50ft 

6(0.092ft)
11.417k

1 + 9.50ft 
(1ft)9.50ft 

Allowable pressure = 2 tons

= 4 ftk2 1.272 ftk2
ft 2

= 1.132 ftk2

= 1.272 ftk2

o.k.

Lateral Pressures With Earthquake

k h = 0.5A = 0.5(0.1) = 0.05
kv = 0
k
 = 2.862 o
= arctan
 1kh v  = arctan
 0.05
10

Active Pressure on Psuedo-Wall

= = 24 o ( is the angle of friction between the soil and the wall. In this
case, = =because the soil wedge considered is next to the soil above
the footing.)
i = 18.435 o
=0

K AE =

K AE =

cos 2 ()
cos cos 2 cos (++) 1+

sin (+)sin (i)

cos (++
+)cos (i)

cos 2 (24 o 2.862 o 0 o )

cos (2.862 o )cos 2 (0 o )cos (24 o +0 o +2.862 o ) 1+

sin (24 o +24 o )sin (24 o 2.862 o 18.435 o )

cos (24 o +0 o +2.862 o )cos (18.435 o 0 o )

KAE = 0.674
P AE = 12 s H 2 (1 k v )K AE
P AE = 12
0.120 ftk3  (10.667ft) 2 (1ft)(1 0)(0.674) = 4.602k

P AEV = P AE (sin ) = 4.602k(sin 24 o ) = 1.872k

Revised: December 1998

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Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.3-5

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

P AEH = P AE (cos ) = 4.602k(cos 24 o ) = 4.204k

P AH = P AEH P AH = 4.204k 3.534k = 0.670k
P AV = P AEV P AV = 1.872k 1.178k = 0.694k
where: P'AH and P'AV are the seismic components of the active force.
Passive Pressure on Shear Key
= = 24 ( = =because the soil wedge considered is assumed to form
in front of the footing.)
i=0
=0
cos 2 (+)

K PE =

K PE =

cos cos 2 cos (+) 1

sin ()sin (+i)

cos (+
+)cos (i)

cos 2 (24 o 2.862 o +0 o )

cos (2.862 o )cos 2 (0 o )cos (24 o 0 o +2.862 o ) 1

sin (24 o 24 o )sin (24 o 2.862 o +0 o )

cos (24 o 0 o +2.862 o )cos (0 o 0 o )

KPE = 0.976
P PE = 12 s H 2 (1 k v )K PE
P PE = 12
0.120 ftk3 
 (5.0ft) 2 (2.5ft) 2  (1ft)(1 0)(0.976) = 1.098k

Load

Force (k)

(1) thru (6)

10.239

PAV

1.178

9.500

11.192

P'AV

0.694

9.500

6.593

resisting

V = 12.111

PAH

3.534

3.556

0.670

P'AH

54.556

MR = 72.341
12.567

6.400

4.288

0.000

0.000

0.000

1.003

PPEH

Moment (ft-k)

0.447

PPEV

Arm (ft)

1.389

MOT = 16.855
a. P'AH acts at 0.6H of the wedge face (1992 AASHTO Div. IA Commentary).
b. PPEV and PPEH are the components of PPE with respect to (the friction angle). PPE
does not contribute to overturning.
c. The line of action of PPEH can be located as was done for PP.
Overturning
F.S. OT =

Revised: December 1998

72.341(ftk)
16.855(ftk)

= 4.292 > 1.5

o.k.

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.3-6

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Resultant Eccentricity
x=
e=
L
4

72.341(ftk)16.855(ftk)
= 4.581ft
12.111k
9.5ft
4.581ft = 0.169ft
2
9.5ft
= 2.375ft > e o.k.
4

Sliding
F.S. =

2
2
7.5

1.003k+12.111k 9.5
tan 24 + 9.5 tan 3 (24 )

4.204k

= 1.161 > 1.125

o.k.

Footing Pressure
for e

L
6

V
P = bL
 1 6Le 

PH = pressure at heel P H =
PT = pressure at toe

PT =

6(0.169ft)
12.111k

1 9.50ft  = 1.139 ftk2
(1ft)9.50ft 
6(0.169ft)
12.111k

1 + 9.50ft  = 1.411 ftk2
(1ft)9.50ft 

Allowable soil pressure for earthquake = 2(allowable soil pressure)

(2)
4 k2  = 8 k2 > 1.411 k2
o.k.
ft
ft
 ft
Reinforcement-Stem
3:1

6.944'

PA
PAH

d = 11" - 2" - (1/2)(0.5") = 8.75"

b = 12"
f'c = 3,000 psi
Without Earthquake
P AH = 12
0.120 ftk3  (0.546)(6.944ft) 2 (1ft)(cos 18.435 ) = 1.499k

= 1.3
E = 1.3 (active lateral earth pressure)
Mu = (1.3)(1.3)(1.499k)(2.315ft) = 5.865 (ft-k)

With Earthquake
kh=0.05
kv=0

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.3-7

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

= 2.862
1992 AASHTO Div. IA Commentary

= 2 = 242 = 12 for angle of friction between soil and wall. This criteria is
used only for seismic loading if the angle of friction is not known.
= 24
i = 18.435
=0
KAE=0.654
P AEH = 12 s K AE H 2 cos
P AEH = 12
 0.120 ftk  (0.654)(6.944ft) 2 (1ft)cos (12 o ) = 1.851k
M u = (1.499k)(2.315ft) + (1.851k 1.499k)(0.6(6.944ft)) = 4.936(ft k)

AASHTO 8.17.1.1 & 8.15.2.1.1

The moment without earthquake controls.

5.865(ftk) 
M
R n = bdu2 =
1000 lbk  = 85.116psi
0.9(1ft)(8.75in) 2 
0.85f c


2R
= f y  1 1 0.85nf 
c

0.85(3,000psi)
2(85.116psi)
= 60,000psi
 1 1 0.85(3,000psi)  = 0.00144

min = 1.7
 hd 
Use =

fc
fy

11in 
= 1.7
 8.75
in

4
(0.00144)
3

3,000psi
60,000psi

= 0.00245

= 0.00192
2

A S Req. = bd = 0.00192(12in)(8.75in) = 0.202 inft

One # 4 bar has AS = 0.196 in2
s
12in
= 0.202
0.196in 2
in 2
s = 11.64in
Use # 4's @ 10" cts.
Check Shear
V u V n
Without Earthquake
V u = (1.3)(1.3)(1.499k) = 2.533k
With Earthquake
V u = 1.851k
The shear force without earthquake controls.
u
2.533k
lb
= 0.85(12in)(8.75in) (1000 k ) = 28.4psi
c = 2 3, 000psi = 109.5psi > 28.4psi

Revised: December 1998

o.k.

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.3-8

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Reinforcement-Footing-Heel
4.444'
P

AV

=5.556k
1

3.333'

= 0.889k

=1.500k

Note: Earthquake will not control and will not be checked.

E = 1.0 (vertical earth pressure)
d = 18" - 3" - (1/2)(0.750") = 14.625"
b = 12"
f'c = 3,000 psi
M u = 1.3[(5.556k + 1.500k)(3.333ft) + 0.889k(4.444ft) + 1.178k(6.667ft)]
M u = 45.919(ft k)
45.919(ftk)
lb
Rn =
2 (1000 k ) = 238.5psi
=

0.9(1ft)(14.625in)
0.85(3,000)psi

1
60,000psi 


18in 
min = 1.7
 14.625
in

1
2

2(238.5psi)
0.85(3,000psi)

3,000psi
60,000psi

 = 0.00418


= 0.00235
2

A S Req. = 0.00418(12in)(14.625in) = 0.734 inft

Use # 6's @ 7" cts.
Check Shear

Shear shall be checked at back face of stem.

V u = 1.3(5.556k + 1.500k + 0.889k + 1.178k) = 11.860k
u
11.860k
lb
= 0.85(12in)(14.625in) (1000 k ) = 79.5psi < 2 3, 000psi = 109.5psi

o.k.

Reinforcement-Footing-Toe
1.917 '

4 =0.431k
0.958 '

PT

PH

P
7.583 '

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.3-9

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

d = 18" - 4" = 14"
b = 12"
Without Earthquake

Apply Load Factors

load 4 (weight) = 0.431k(1.3)(1.0) = 0.560k
E = 1.3 for lateral earth pressure for retaining walls.
E = 1.0 for vertical earth pressure.
M OT = 12.567(ft k)(1.3)(1.3) = 21.238(ft k)
M R = [54.556(ft k) + 11.192(ft k)](1.3)(1.0) = 85.472(ft k)
V = 11.417k(1.3)(1.0) = 14.842k
x=

85.472(ftk)21.238(ftk)
14.842k

e=

9.5ft
2

= 4.328ft

4.328ft = 0.422ft

PH =

6(0.422ft)
14.842k

1 9.5ft 
(1ft)(9.5ft) 

= 1.146 ftk2

PT =

6(0.422ft)
14.842k

1 + 9.5ft 
(1ft)(9.5ft) 

= 1.979 ftk2

1.979 ftk 1.146 ftk 

k
k
P=
 (7.583ft) + 1.146 ft = 1.811 ft
9.5ft

M u = 1.811 ftk

2
(1.917ft)
2

+ 12 (1.917ft) 2
 1.979 ftk 1.811 ftk  23 0.560k(0.958ft)

M u = 2.997(ft k)
With Earthquake
P H = 1.139 ftk
P T = 1.411 ftk

1.411 ftk 1.139 ftk 
k
k
P=
 (7.583ft) + 1.139 ft = 1.356 ft
9.5ft

M u = 1.356 ftk

2
(1.917ft)
2

+ 12 (1.917ft) 2
 1.411 ftk 1.356 ftk  23 0.431k(0.958ft)

M u = 2.146(ft k)
The moment without earthquake controls.
Rn =
=

2.997(ftk)

(1000 lbk ) = 16.990psi

0.9(1ft)(14.0in) 2
0.85(3,000psi)

1
60,000psi 


Revised: December 1998

2(16.990psi)
0.85(3,000psi)

 = 0.000284


E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.3-10

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

18in 
min = 1.7
 14.0
in

3,000psi
60,000psi

= 0.00257

Use = 43 = 43 (0.000284) = 0.000379

2

A S Req. = 0.000379(12in)(14.0in) = 0.064 inft

12in
0.064in 2

s
0.196in 2

s = 36.8in
Minimum is # 4 bars at 12 inches. These will be the same bars that are
in the back of the stem. Use the smaller of the two spacings.
Use # 4's @ 10" cts.
Check Shear
Shear shall be checked at a distance "d" from the face of the stem.
Without Earthquake
k
k

1.979 ft 1.146 ft 
k
k
Pd = 
 (8.750ft) + 1.146 ft = 1.913 ft
9.5ft

1.979 ftk +1.913 ftk
Vu =
(0.750ft) 1.3 
0.225 ftk  (0.750ft) = 1.240k
2
With Earthquake

1.411 ftk 1.139 ftk 
k
k
Pd = 
 (8.750ft) + 1.139 ft = 1.390 ft
9.5ft

1.411 ftk +1.139 ftk
Vu =
(0.750ft) 
0.225 ftk  (0.750ft) = 0.788k
2
Shear without earthquake controls.
u
1.240k
lb
= 0.85(12in)(14.0in) (1000 k ) = 8.7psi < 2 3, 000psi = 109.5psi

o.k.

Reinforcement-Shear Key

* Include 1' of eroded fill

*3.379 k

The passive pressure is higher without earthquake loads.

= 1.3
E = 1.3 (lateral earth pressure)

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.3-11

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

d = 12"-3"-(1/2)(0.5") = 8.75"
b = 12"
M u = (3.379k)(1.360ft)(1.3)(1.3) = 7.764(ft k)
Rn =
=

7.764(ftk)
0.9(1ft)(8.75in) 2

(1000 lbk ) = 112.677psi

0.85(3,000psi)

1
60,000psi 


12in 
min = 1.7 
8.75
in
4

2(112.677psi)
0.85(3,000psi)

3,000psi
60,000psi

 = 0.00192


= 0.00292

4
(0.00192)
3

=
= 0.00256
Use =
2
A S Req. = 0.00256(12in)(8.75in) = 0.269 inft
Use # 4 @ 8.5 in cts.
Check Shear
1.3(3.379k)(1.3)
u
lb
= 0.85(12in)(8.75in) (1000 k ) = 64.0psi < 2 3, 000psi = 109.5psi

o.k.

Reinforcement Summary
1"

1 2 Cl.

2" Cl.

# 4 @ 12" cts.
#4@
18" cts.

#4@
10" cts.

# 4 @ 18" cts.

#4@
12" cts.

3" Cl.
4"

# 6 @ 7 " cts.
# 4 @ 18" cts.

#4
# 4 @ 8.5" cts.

3" Cl.
3" Cl.

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.4-1

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

3.4 Example 2: L-Shaped Cantilever Wall

20 "

10 "

2.5:
1

6"

5'-2"
4'
P
H

P AV

Failure Plane A

PAH

4 ' - 11 "

12 "

11.5 "

18 "

PP

H2

L3= 12 "
L2= 3 ' - 9 "
L1 = 5 ' - 9 "

Failure Plane B

TYPICAL SECTION THRU WALL

(Spread Footing)

f'c = 4,000 psi

fy = 60,000 psi
= 29
s = 120pcf
Allowable soil pressure = 1.5 tsf = 3.0 ksf
Retaining wall is located in Seismic Performance Category (SPC) A.
1
= tan 1 2.5
= 21.801 o
cos
C a = cos
cos +

cos 2 cos 2
cos 2 cos 2

= 0.462

C p = tan 2 45 + 2 = 2.882

P A = 12 s C a H 2 = 12 (0.120 ftk3 )(0.462)(4.958ft) 2 = 0.681k

For sliding, PP is assumed to act only on the portion of key below the frost line
which is set at an 18in. depth on the southeren border.
P P = 12 (0.120 ftk3 )(2.882) (2.458ft) 2 (1.500ft) 2 = 0.656k
Assumptions
Design is for a unit length (1 foot) of wall.
Sum moments about the toe at the bottom of the footing for overturning.
F.S. for overturning 2.0 for footings on soil.
F.S. for sliding 1.5 for footings on soil.
Resultant of dead load and earth pressure to be in back half of the middle
third of the footing if subjected to frost heave.
For all loading combinations the resultant must be in the middle third of
the footing except for collision loads.
The top 12 inches of the soil is not neglected in determining the passive
pressure because the soil there will be maintained.

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.4-2

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Frost line is set at 18 inches at the south border for Missouri.
Portions of shear key which are above the frost line are assumed not to
resist sliding by passive pressure.
Use of a shear key shifts the failure plane to "B" where resistance to
sliding is also provided by friction of soil along the failure plane in front of
the shear key. Friction between the soil and concrete behind the shear
key will be neglected.
Soil cohesion along the failure plane is neglected.
Live loads can move to within 1 foot of the stem face and 1 foot from the
toe.
The wall is designed as a cantilever supported by the footing.
Footing is designed as a cantilever supported by the wall. Critical
sections for bending and shear will be taken at the face of the wall.
Load factors for AASHTO Groups I-VI for design of concrete are:
= 1.3.
E = 1.3 for horizontal earth pressure on retaining walls.
E = 1.0 for vertical earth pressure.
LL = 1.67 for live loads and collision loads.

Dead Load and Earth Pressure - Stabilty and Pressure Checks

Load
(1)
(2)
(3)

Force (k)

Arm (in)

Moment (ft-k)

5.333

3.444

2.875

2.376

4.250

0.956

(0.833ft)(5.167ft)(0.150k/ft ) = 0.646
(0.958ft)(5.750ft)(0.150k/ft ) = 0.827
(1.000ft)(1.500ft)(0.150k/ft ) = 0.225

V = 1.698
PAV

MR = 6.776

0.253

5.750

V = 1.951
PAH
PP

1.455

MR = 8.231

0.633

1.653

0.656

a.

1.045

1.06

MOT = 1.045
a. The passive pressure at the shear key is ignored in overturning checks.

Overturning
F.S. =

M R
M OT

8.231(ftk)
1.045(ftk)

= 7.877 2.0

o.k.

Location of Resultant
MoDOT policy is that the resultant must be in the back half of the middle
third of the footing when considering dead and earth loads:
5.750ft = 2.875ft x 5.750ft + 5.750ft = 3.833ft
6
2
2
x=

M NET
V

8.231(ftk)1.045(ftk)
1.951k

= 3.683ft

o.k.

Sliding

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.4-3

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

F.S. =

L
L
P P +V L 2 tan ss + L 3 tan sc
1

P AH

where: s-s = angle of internal friction of soil

s-c = angle of friction between soil and concrete = (2/3)s-s

F.S. =

1ft
3.75ft
0.656k+(1.951k) 5.75ft tan 29 + 5.75ft tan 23 (29 )

0.633k

= 2.339 1.5 o.k.

Footing Pressure
P=

V
1 6Le
bL

e= x

L
2

= 3.683ft

Heel: P H =
Toe: P T =

5.75ft
2

= 0.808ft

6(0.808ft)
1.951k
1 + 5.75ft
(1ft)(5.75ft)

6(0.808ft)
1.951k
1 5.75ft
(1ft)(5.75ft)

= 0.625ksf < 3.0ksf

= 0.053ksf < 3.0ksf

o.k.
o.k.

Dead Load, Earth Pressure, and Live Load - Stability and Pressure
Checks

Stability is not an issue because the live load resists overturning and
increases the sliding friction force.

10 "

4.917 '

1'

16 k
E

1'

11.5 "
PH
PT

The live load will be distributed as:

LL
F LL = EWL where E = 0.8X + 3.75
X = distance in feet from the load to the front face of wall
The live load will be positioned as shown by the dashed lines above. The
bearing pressure and resultant location will be determined for these two
positions.

Live Load 1 ft From Stem Face

Revised: December 1998

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Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.4-4

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Resultant Eccentricity
X=1ft
E=0.8(1ft)+3.75=4.55ft
16k
F LL = 4.55
(1ft) = 3.516k
ft
x=

M NET
V

e= x

L
2

8.231(ftk)+(3.516k)(3.917ft)1.045(ftk)
1.951k+3.516k

= 3.834ft

5.75ft
2

= 0.959ft

L
6

= 3.834ft
5.75ft
6

= 0.958ft

o.k.

Footing Pressure
V
P = bL 1

6e
L

Allowable Pressure = 3.0ksf

Heel: P H =
Toe: P T =

6(0.959ft)
5.467k
1 + 5.75ft
(1ft)(5.75ft)

6(0.959ft)
5.467k
1 5.75ft
(1ft)(5.75ft)

= 1.902ksf o.k.

= 0.000ksf o.k.

Live Load 1 ft From Toe

Resultant Eccentricity
X=3.917ft
E=0.8(3.917ft)+3.75=6.883ft
16k
F LL = 6.883
(1ft) = 2.324k
ft
x=

8.231(ftk)+(2.324k)(1ft)1.045(ftk)
1.951k+2.324k

e=

L
2

x=

5.75ft
2

= 2.225ft

2.225ft = 0.650ft

L
6

5.75ft
6

= 0.958ft o.k.

Footing Pressure
Allowable Pressure = 3.0ksf
Heel: P H =
Toe: P H =

6(0.650ft)
4.275k
1 5.75ft
(1ft)(5.75ft)
6(0.650ft)
4.275k
1 + 5.75ft
(1ft)(5.75ft)

= 0.239ksf o.k.
= 1.248ksf o.k.

Dead Load, Earth Pressure, Collision Load, and Live Load - Stability
and Pressure Checks

Revised: December 1998

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Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.4-5

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

During a collision, the live load will be close to the wall so check this
combination when the live load is one foot from the face of the stem.
Sliding (in either direction) will not be an issue. Stability about the heel
should be checked although it is unlikely to be a problem. There are no
criteria for the location of the resultant, so long as the footing pressure
does not exceed 125% of the allowable. It is assumed that the distributed
collision force will develop an equal and opposite force on the fillface of
the back wall unless it exceeds the passive pressure that can be
developed by soil behind the wall.
FLL=3.516k

10 "

4.917 '

10 k

1'

16 k
3'
E
11.5 "

PH

F COLL =

10k
(1ft)
2(3ft)

cos +
C P = cos
cos

PT

= 1.667k
cos 2 cos 2
cos cos
2

= 1.867

P PH = 12 s C P H 2 cos = 12 (0.120kcf)(1.867)(4.958ft) 2 cos(21.801 )

PPH=2.556k > FCOLL Thus the soil will develop an equal but opp. force.

Overturning About the Heel

F.S. =
F.S. =

(0.646k)(0.417ft)+(0.827k)(2.875ft)+(0.225k)(1.500ft)+(3.516k)(1.833ft)+(1.667k)(

4.958ft
)
3

(1.667k)(3.958ft)
12.184(ftk)
6.598(ftk)

= 1.847 1.2

o.k.

Footing Pressure
x=

12.184(ftk)6.598(ftk)
1.951k+3.516k

e=

5.75ft
2

= 1.022ft from heel

1.022ft = 1.853ft

Allowable Pressure = (1.25)(3.0ksf)=3.75ksf

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.4-6

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Heel: P H =

2( V)

3b L2 e

2(5.467k)
3(1ft)

5.75ft
1.853ft
2

= 3.566ksf

o.k.

Stem Design-Steel in Rear Face

10 "

4'

5'-2"

PAH

= 1.3
E = 1.3 (active lateral earth pressure)
d = 10in 2in 0.52in = 7.75in
P AH = 12 s C a H 2 cos = 12 0.120 ftk3 (0.462)(4ft) 2 (1ft)cos 21.801 o

P AH = 0.412k
M u = (1.333ft)(0.412k)(1.3)(1.3) = 0.928(ft k)
Rn =

Mu
bd 2

0.928(ftk)

1000 lb = 17.160psi
k

(0.9)(1ft)(7.75in) 2

0.85f c
1
fy

0.85(4,000psi)
1
60,000psi

min = 1.7 hd

2R n
0.85f c

2(17.160psi)
0.85(4000psi)

= 0.000287

fc
fy

10in
min = 1.7 7.75
in

4,000psi
60,000psi

= 0.00298

Use = 43 = 43 (0.000287) = 0.000382

2

A S Req. = bd = 0.000382(12in)(7.75in) = 0.036 inft

One # 4 bar has AS = 0.196 in2 so the required minimum of one # 4 bar
every 12 in. controls.
Use # 4's @ 12 in. (min)

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.4-7

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

(These bars are also the bars in the bottom of the footing so the smaller
of the two required spacings will be used.)

Check Shear
Vu

Vn

(1.3)(1.3)(0.412k)
(1000 lbk )
0.85(12in)(7.75in)

= 8.8psi

c = 2 fc
c = 2 4, 000psi = 126.5psi > 8.8psi

o.k.

Stem Design-Steel in Front Face (Collision Loads)

10,000 lb
4'

L=3'

PPH

The soil pressure on the back of the stem becomes passive soil pressure
during a collision, however this pressure is ignored for reinforcement
design.

= 1.3
LL = 1.67
d = 10in 1.5in 0.5in
F COLL =

10k
2L

10k
(2)(3ft)

0.5in
2

= 7.75in

= 1.667 ftk

M u = 1.667 ftk (1ft)(3ft)(1.3)(1.67) = 10.855(ft k)

Rn =
=

10.855(ftk)
0.9(1ft)(7.75in) 2

(1000 lbk ) = 200.809psi

0.85(4,000psi)
1
60,000psi

10in
min = 1.7 7.75
in

2(200.809psi)
0.85(4,000psi)

4,000psi
60,000psi

= 0.00345

= 0.00298
2

A S Req. = 0.00345(12in)(7.75in) = 0.321 inft

One # 4 bar has AS = 0.196 in2
s
0.196in 2

Revised: December 1998

12in
0.321in 2

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.4-8

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

s = 7.3in
Use # 4's @ 7 in.

Check Shear
u

(1.3)(1.67)(1.667k)
(1000 lbk )
(0.85)(12in)(7.75in)

= 45.8psi < 126.5psi

o.k.

Footing Design - Bottom Steel

It is not considered necessary to design footing reinforcement based
upon a load case which includes collision loads.

Dead Load and Earth Pressure Only

10 "

4.917 '

11.5 "

P1

PH

PW

Footing wt. = 11.5

ft (4.917ft) 0.150 ftk3 (1ft) = 0.707k
12

E = 1.3 (lateral earth pressure)

= 1.3
Apply Load Factors:
V = 1.951k(1.3) = 2.536k
M R = 8.231(ft k)(1.3) = 10.700(ft k)
M OT = 1.045(ft k)(1.3)(1.3) = 1.766(ft k)
Footing wt. = 0.707k(1.3) = 0.919k

x=

10.700(ftk)1.766(ftk)
2.536k

e = 3.523ft

5.75ft
2

= 3.523ft

= 0.648ft

PH =

6(0.648ft)
2.536k
1 + 5.75ft
(1ft)(5.75ft)

= 0.739ksf

PT =

6(0.648ft)
2.536k
1 5.75ft
(1ft)(5.75ft)

= 0.143ksf

4.917ft
P W = 0.143ksf + [0.739ksf 0.143ksf] 5.75ft = 0.653ksf

Moment at Wall Face:

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.4-9

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

(4.917ft)
M W = 0.143 ftk 2 + 13 (4.917ft) 2 0.653 ftk 0.143 ftk 12

4.917ft
0.919k 2 = 1.524(ft k)
2

Dead Load, Earth Pressure, and Live Load

Live Load 1 ft From Stem Face

10 "

4.917 '

1'

16 k
E

11.5 "

PW

PH

PT

PL L

E = 1.3 (lateral earth pressure)

LL = 1.67
= 1.3
Apply Load Factors:

F LL = 3.516k(1.3)(1.67) = 7.633k
V = 7.633k + 1.951k(1.3) = 10.169k
M OT = 1.045(ft k)(1.3)(1.3) = 1.766(ft k)
M R = 8.231(ft k)(1.3) + 3.917ft(7.633k) = 40.599(ft k)
x=

40.599(ftk)1.766(ftk)
10.169k

e = 3.819ft

5.75ft
2

= 3.819ft

= 0.944ft

k
P T = (110.169
1
ft)(5.75ft)

6(0.944ft)
5.75ft

= 0.026ksf

k
P H = (110.169
1+
ft)(5.75ft)

6(0.944ft)
5.75ft

= 3.511ksf

4.917ft
P W = 0.026ksf + [3.511ksf 0.026ksf] 5.75ft = 3.006ksf
3.917ft
P LL = 0.026ksf + [3.511ksf 0.026ksf] 5.75ft = 2.400ksf

Footing wt. from face of wall to toe:

Footing wt. = 1.3 11.5
ft (4.917ft) 0.150 ftk3 (1ft) = 0.919k
12

Footing wt. from LLWL to toe:

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.4-10

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Footing wt. = 1.3 11.5
ft (3.917ft) 0.150 ftk3 (1ft) = 0.732k
12

Moment at Wall Face:

2
(4.917ft)

M W = 0.026 ftk 2
7.633k(1ft)
(4.917ft)
1
k
+ 2 3.006 ft 0.026 ftk (4.917ft) 2 13 0.919k 2
M W = 2.430(ft k)
Moment at LLWL

2
(3.917ft)

(3.917ft)

M LL = 0.026 ftk 2
0.732k 2
1
k
+ 2 2.400 ft 0.026 ftk (3.917ft) 2 13 = 4.837(ft k)
Live Load 1 ft From Toe
10 "

4.917 '
16k
E
1'

11.5 "
P
H

L
1

P
T

Apply Load Factors:

F LL = 2.324k(1.3)(1.67) = 5.045k
V = 5.045k + 1.951k(1.3) = 7.581k
MOT = 1.045(ft k)(1.3)(1.3) = 1.766(ft k)
M R = 8.231(ft k)(1.3) + 5.045k(1ft) = 15.745(ft k)

x=

15.745(ftk)1.766(ftk)
7.581k

e=

5.75ft
2

= 1.844ft

1.844ft = 1.031ft

P H = 0ksf
PT =

2(7.581k)
3(1ft)

5.75ft
1.031ft
2

= 2.741ksf

L 1 = 3 L2 e
L 1 = 3

5.75ft
2

1.031ft = 5.532ft

0.615ft
P W = 2.741ksf 5.532ft = 0.305ksf
4.432ft
P LL = 2.741ksf 5.532ft = 2.196ksf

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.4-11

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Moment at Wall Face:
4.917ft
M W = 5.045k(3.917ft) 0.919k 2 + 12 (0.305 ftk )(4.917ft) 2

+ 12 (4.917ft) 2 2.741 ftk 0.305 ftk 23 = 1.298(ft k)

Moment at LLWL:

2
(1ft)

M LL = 0.187k(0.5ft) + 2.196 ftk 2

+ 12 (1ft) 2.741 ftk 2.196 ftk 23 (1ft) = 1.186(ft k)
Design Flexural Steel in Bottom of Footing
d = 11.5in 4in = 7.500in
M u = 4.837(ft k) (controlling moment)
Rn =
=

4.837(ftk)
0.9(1ft)(7.5in) 2

= 0.096ksi

0.85(4,000psi)
1
60,000psi

in
min = 1.7 11.5
7.5in

2(0.096ksi)
0.85(4ksi)

4,000psi
60,000psi

= 0.00162

= 0.00421

Use = 43 = 43 (0.00162) = 0.00216

2

A S Req. = 0.00216(12in)(7.5in) = 0.194 inft

s
0.196in 2

12in
0.194in 2

s = 12.1in
Use # 4's @ 12 in. cts. (Also use this spacing in the back of the stem.)

Check Shear
Dead Load and Earth Pressure Only
V W = 0.143 ftk (4.917ft) + 12 (4.917ft) 0.653 ftk 0.143 ftk 0.919k
V W = 1.038k

Live Load 1 ft From Stem Face

Shear at the wall can be neglected for this loading case.
V LL = 0.026 ftk (3.917ft) + 12 (3.917ft) 2.400 ftk 0.026 ftk 0.732k
V LL = 4.019k

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.4-12

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Live Load 1 ft From Toe
V W = 0.305 ftk (4.917ft) + 12 (4.917ft) 2.741 ftk 0.305 ftk 0.919k 5.045k
V W = 1.525k
V LL = 2.196 ftk (1ft) + 12 (1ft) 2.741 ftk 2.196 ftk 0.187k
V LL = 2.282k
Use V U = 4.019k
u

4019(lbs)
0.85(12in)(7.5in)

= 52.5psi < 2 4000psi = 126.5psi

o.k.

Shear Key Design

11.5 "

P1
PP

18 "

P2

12 "

For concrete cast against and permanently exposed to earth, minimum

cover for reinforcement is 3 inches.
d = 12in 3in 12 12 in = 8.75in

P 1 = 0.120 ftk3 (1ft)(2.882) 11.5

ft = 0.331 ftk
12
P 2 = 0.120 ftk3 (1ft)(2.882) 29.5
ft = 0.850 ftk
12
M u = (1.3)(1.3) 0.331 ftk

2
(1.5ft)
2

+ 12 (1.5ft) 0.850 ftk 0.331 ftk 23 (1.5ft)

M u = 1.287(ft k)
Rn =
=

1.287(ftk)
0.9(1ft)(8.75in) 2

= 0.0187ksi

0.85(4,000psi)
1
60,000psi

12in
min = 1.7 8.75
in

2(0.0187ksi)
0.85(4ksi)

4,000psi
60,000psi

= 0.000312

= 0.00337

Use = 43 = 43 (0.000312) = 0.000416

2

A S Req. = 0.000416(12in)(8.75in) = 0.0437 inft

s
0.196in 2

Revised: December 1998

12in
0.0437in 2

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.4-13

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

s = 53.8in
Use # 4 's @ 18 in. cts. (min)

Check Shear
V = 0.886k
u

(1.3)(1.3)(886lbs)
0.85(12in)(8.75in)

= 16.8psi < 126.5psi

o.k.

Reinforcement Summary
2 " Cl.
1

1"
2

Cl.
# 4's @ 7 "

# 4's @ 18 "

# 4's @ 12 "

# 4's @ 18 "
3 " Cl.

# 4's @ 12 "

# 4's @ 18 "

3 " Cl.

3 " Cl.
( T yp . )

4"

# 4's

# 4's @ 12 "

(Top and Bottom)

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.5-1
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

3.5 Example 3: Pile Footing Cantilever Wall

TYPICAL SECTION THROUGH WALL

(PILE FOOTING)

PLAN OF FOOTING
fc = 3,000 psi
fy = 60,000 psi

f = 27o
gs = 120 pcf

Pile type: HP 10 x 42
Allowable pile bearing = 56 tons
Pile width = 10 inches
Toe pile batter = 1:3
Barrier curb weight = 340 lbs/foot of length
Barrier curb resultant = 0.375 ft. from its flat back

Revised: Sept. 2002

E6202

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.5-2
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Assumptions

Retaining wall is located such that traffic can come within half of the
wall height to the plane where earth pressure is applied.
Reinforcement design is for one foot of wall length.
Sum moments about the centerline of the toe pile at a distance of 6B
(where B is the pile width) below the bottom of the footing for
overturning.
Neglect top one foot of fill over toe in determining soil weight and
passive pressure on shear key.
Neglect all fill over toe in designing stem reinforcement.
The wall is designed as a cantilever supported by the footing.
Footing is designed as a cantilever supported by the wall.
Critical sections for bending are at the front and back faces of the wall.
Critical sections for shear are at the back face of the wall for the heel
and at a distance d (effective depth) from the front face for the toe.
For load factors for design of concrete, see page 1.2-8 of this section.

cos d - cos 2 d - cos 2 f

C A = cos d
cos d + cos 2 d - cos 2 f
d = 0,

f = 27 so C A reduces to:

CA =

1 - sin f 1 - sin 27 o
=
= 0.376
1 + sin f 1 + sin 27 o

27 o
f

C P = tan 2 45 o + = tan 2 45 o +
= 2.663
2
2

Revised: Sept. 2002

E6202

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.5-3
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Table is for stability check (moments taken about C.L. of toe pile at a depth
of 6B below the bottom of the footing).
Arm about C.L.
of toe pile at 6B
below footing (ft)

Moment (ft-kips)
per foot of wall
length

2.542
2.833

0.864
3.966

4.417

16.895

4.417

1.162

Load

Force (kips/ft)

Dead Load
(1)
(2)

0.340
(1.333ft)(7.000ft)(0.150k/ft )=1.400

(3)

(3.000ft)(8.500ft)(0.150k/ft )=3.825

(4)

(1.000ft)(1.750ft)(0.150k/ft )=0.263

Earth Load
(5)

V = 5.828

M R = 22.887
3

6.083

26.400

1.167

0.560

(7.000ft)(5.167ft)(0.120k/ft )=4.340

(6)

(2.000ft)(2.000ft)(0.120k/ft )=0.480

V = 4.820

M R = 26.960

Live Load Surcharge

PSV

(2.000ft)(5.167ft)(0.120k/ft )=1.240

PSH

(2.000ft)(0.376)(10.000ft)(0.120k/ft )
= 0.902

6.083

M R =7.543

10.000

M OT =9.020

8.333

M OT = 18.799

Earth Pressure

PA
PP
Collision Force

2.256

3.285

(FCOL )

(10.000k)/[2(7.000ft)] = 0.714

18.000

M OT = 12.852

Heel Pile Tension

(3.000tons)(2k/ton)(1pile)/(12.000ft) =
0.500

7.167

M R = 3.584

(PHV)

Toe Pile Batter

(PBH)

Passive Pile
Pressure Ppp

( )

5.903

0.832

a. P = 1 g C H 2 = 1 0.120 k (0.376 )(10 ft )2 = 2.256 k

A
S
A

2
2
ft
ft 3

b. P = 1 g C H 2 - H 2 = 1 0.120 k (2.663)(6.75 ft )2 - (5 ft )2 = 3.285 k

P
S P
2
1

2
2
ft
ft 3

c. P = 56 tons 2 k (2 piles )

BH

pile ton

4in

(12 in )2 + (4in )2

1
k

= 5.903
12 ft
ft

d. P = 1 (2 . 663 )(5 ft )2 0 . 120 k (0 .833 ft )(3 piles

PP

2
ft 3

Revised: Sept. 2002

1
12
ft

E6202

k
= 0 .832
ft

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.5-4
Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Table is for bearing pressure checks (moments taken about C.L of toe pile at the
bottom of the footing).

Load

Force (kips/ft)

Dead Load
(1)

0.340

(2)

Moment (ft-kips)
per foot of wall
length

0.875

0.298

1.167

1.634

2.750

10.519

2.750

0.723

(1.333ft)(7.000ft)(0.150k/ft )=1.400

(3)

Arm about C.L.

of toe pile at
bottom of
footing (ft)

(3.000ft)(8.500ft)(0.150k/ft )=3.825

(4)

(1.000ft)(1.750ft)(0.150k/ft )=0.263

V = 5.828

Earth Load
(5)

(7.000ft)(5.167ft)(0.120k/ft )=4.340

M R = 13.174
3

4.417

19.170

-0.500

-0.240

(6)

(2.000ft)(2.000ft)(0.120k/ft )=0.480

V = 4.820

M R = 18.930

Live Load Surcharge

PSV

(2.000ft)(5.167ft)(0.120k/ft )=1.240
3

(2.000ft)(0.376)(10.000ft)(0.120k/ft )
= 0.902

PSH

4.417

M R = 5.477

5.000

M OT = 4.510

3.333

M OT =7.519

Earth Pressure

PA
PP

2.256
3.285

Collision Force

(FCOL )

(10.000k)/[2(7.000ft)] = 0.714

13.000

M OT = 9.282

Heel Pile Tension

(3.000tons)(2k/ton)(1pile)/(12.000ft) =
0.500

5.500

M R = 2.750

(PHV )

Toe Pile Batter

(PBH)

Passive Pile
Pressure Ppp

( )

Revised: Sept. 2002

5.903

0.832

E6202

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.5-5

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Investigate a representative 12 foot strip. This will include one heel pile and
two toe piles. The assumption is made that the stiffness of a batter pile in the
vertical direction is the same as that of a vertical pile.
2piles(1.5ft)+1pile(7ft)
= 3.333ft from the toe.
Neutral Axis Location =
3piles
7'
3.333 '
1.5 '

12 '
6'

3.667 '

1.833 '
N.A.

I = Ad 2
For repetitive 12ft strip:
Total pile area = 3A
I = 2A(1.833ft) 2 + A(3.667ft) 2 = 20.167(A)ft 2
For a 1ft unit strip:
20.167(A)ft 2
I=
= 1.681(A)ft 2
12ft
Total pile area = (3A/12ft)=0.250A
Case I
F.S. for overturning 1.5
F.S. for sliding 1.5
Check Overturning
Neglect resisting moment due to PSV for this check.
M R = 22.887(ft k) + 26.960(ft k) + 3.584(ft k)
M R = 53.431(ft k)
M OT = 9.020(ft k) + 18.799(ft k) = 27.819(ft k)
F.S. OT =

Revised: December 1998

M R
M OT

53.431(ftk)
27.819(ftk)

= 1.921 > 1.5

o.k.

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.5-6

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Check Pile Bearing
Without PSV :

V = 5.828k + 4.820k = 10.648k

e=

M
V

(13.174+18.930)(ftk)(4.510+7.519)(ftk)
10.648k

= 1.885ft

Moment arm = 1.885ft - 1.833ft = 0.052ft

10.648k(0.052ft)(1.833ft)
P T = V
Mc
= 10.648k

A
I
0.250A
1.681(A)ft 2
PT =
PH =

41.988
k
A
10.648k(0.052ft)(3.667ft)
10.648k
+
0.250A
1.681(A)ft 2
43.800
k
A

PH =
Allowable pile load = 56tons/pile. Each pile has area A so:
k
P T = 41.988 pile
= 20.944 tons
o.k.
pile
k
P H = 43.800 pile
= 21.900 tons
pile

o.k.

WithPSV :

V = 5.828k + 4.820k + 1.240k = 11.888k

e=

(13.174+18.930+5.477)(ftk)(4.510+7.519)(ftk)
11.888k

= 2.149ft

Moment arm = 2.149ft - 1.833ft = 0.316ft

11.888k(0.316ft)(1.833ft)
P T = 11.888k

= 43.456k = 21.728 tons

o.k.
0.250A
pile
1.681(A)ft 2
PH =

11.888k
0.250A

11.888k(0.316ft)(3.667ft)
1.681(A)ft 2

= 55.747k = 27.874 tons

o.k.
pile

Check Sliding
F.S. Sliding =

3.285k+5.903k+0.832k
0.902k+2.256k

= 3.173 1.5 o.k.

Case II
F.S. for overturning 1.2
F.S. for sliding 1.2
Check Overturning
M R = (22.887 + 26.960 + 7.543 + 3.584)(ft k) = 60.974(ft k)
M OT = (9.020 + 18.799 + 12.852)(ft k) = 40.671(ft k)
F.S. OT =

Revised: December 1998

M R
M OT

60.974(ftk)
40.671(ftk)

= 1.499 1.2

o.k.

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.5-7

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Check Pile Bearing
e=

M
V

(13.174+18.930+5.477)(ftk)(4.510+7.519+9.282)(ftk)
(5.828+4.820+1.240)k

= 1.369ft

Moment arm = 1.833ft - 1.369ft = 0.464ft

11.888k(0.464ft)(1.833ft)
1.681(A)ft 2
k
o.k.
P T = 53.567 pile
= 26.783 tons
56 tons
pile
pile
11.888k(0.464ft)(3.667ft)
11.888k
P H = 0.250A
= 35.519k
1.681(A)ft 2
tons
tons
P H = 17.760 pile 56 pile o.k.

PT =

V
A

Mc
I

11.888k
0.250A

Check Sliding
F.S. Sliding =

3.285k+5.903k+0.832k
0.902k+2.256k+0.714k

= 2.588 1.2 o.k.

Case III
F.S. for overturning 1.5
F.S. for sliding 1.5
Check Overturning
M R = (22.887 + 26.960 + 3.584)(ft k) = 53.431(ft k)
M OT = 18.799((ft k)
53.431(ftk)
M R
F.S. OT = MOT
= 18.799(ftk) = 2.842 1.5
o.k.
Check Pile Bearing
e=

M
V

(13.174+18.930)(ftk)7.519(ftk)
(5.828+4.820)k

= 2.309ft

Moment arm = 2.309ft - 1.833ft = 0.476ft

10.648k(0.476ft)(1.833ft)
1.681(A)ft 2
tons
P T = 18.532 pille 56 tons
o.k.
pile
10.648k(0.476ft)(3.667ft)
10.648k
P H = 0.250A +
1.681(A)ft 2
tons
P H = 26.825 tons

56
o.k.
pile
pile

PT =

10.648k
0.250A

= 37.065k
= 53.649k

Check Sliding
F.S. Sliding =

Revised: Sept. 2001

3.285k+5.903k+0.832k
2.256k

= 4.441 1.5 o.k.

E5201

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.5-8

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Case IV
Check Pile Bearing
e=

M
V

(13.174+18.930)(ftk)
5.828k+4.820k

= 3.015ft

Moment arm = 3.015ft - 1.833ft = 1.182ft

PH =

V
A

+ Mc
=
I

10.648k(1.182ft)(3.667ft)
1.681(A)ft 2
35.024 tons
pile

10.648k
0.250A

P H = 70.047k =
25% overstress is allowed on the heel pile:
P H = 35.024 tons
1.25(56 tons
) = 70 tons
o.k.
pile
pile
pile
PT =
PT =

10.648k(1.182ft)(1.833ft)
=
1.681(A)ft 2
tons
tons
14.434 pile 56 pile
o.k.
10.648k
0.250A

28.868k

Reinforcement - Stem
F

Collision

PLL

7'

10 '

PA Stem
3.5 '

2.333 '

b = 12 in
cover = 2 in
h = 16 in
d = 16 in - 2 in - 0.5(0.625 in) = 13.688 in
F Collision = 0.714 ftk
P LL = s C A H(2.000ft) = (2.000ft)(0.376)(7.000ft)(0.120 ftk3 ) = 0.632 ftk
P A Stem = 12 s C A H 2 = 12 0.120 ftk3 (0.376)(7.000ft) 2 = 1.105 ftk

Apply Load Factors

F Col. = LL (0.714k) = (1.3)(1.67)(0.714k) = 1.550k
P LL = E (0.632k) = (1.3)(1.67)(0.632k) = 1.372k
P A Stem = E (1.105k) = (1.3)(1.3)(1.105k) = 1.867k
M u = (10.00ft)(1.550k) + (3.500ft)(1.372k) + (2.333ft)(1.867k)

Revised: Sept. 2001

E5201

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.5-9

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

M u = 24.658(ft k)
Rn =
=

Mu
bd 2

24.658(ftk)

(0.9)(1ft)(13.688in) 2

0.85f c
1
fy

min = 1.7 hd

1
2

fc
fy

2R n
0.85f c

= 0.146ksi

0.85(3ksi)
1
60ksi

16in
= 1.7 13.688
in

3000psi
60000psi

2(0.146ksi)
0.85(3ksi)

= 0.00251

= 0.00212

= 0.00251
2

A S Req. = bd = (0.00251)(12in)(13.688in) = 0.412 inft

One # 5 bar has AS = 0.307 in2
s
12in
= 0.412
0.307in 2
in 2
s = 8.9in
Use # 5 bars @ 8.5 in. cts.
Check Shear
V u V n

V u = F Collision + P LL + P A Stem = 1.550k + 1.372k + 1.867k = 4.789k

u

Vu
bd

4789lbs
0.85(12in)(13.688in)

= 34.301psi

n = c = 2 f c = 2 3, 000psi = 109.5psi > 34.3psi

o.k.

Reinforcement - Footing - Top Steel

LL s
soil

slab wt.

2.583 '

3'
5.167 '

b = 12 in
cover = 3 in
h = 36 in
d = 36 in - 3 in - 0.5(0.5 in) = 32.750 in
Design the heel to support the entire weight of the superimposed materials.

Revised: Sept. 2001

E5201

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.5-10

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Soil(1) = 4.340 ftk
LL s = 1.240 ftk

Slab wt. = (3.000ft) 0.150 ftk3 (5.167ft) = 2.325 ftk

Apply Load Factors

Soil(1) = E (4.340k) = (1.3)(1.0)(4.340k) = 5.642k
LL s = E (1.240k) = (1.3)(1.67)(1.240k) = 2.692k
Slab wt. = D (2.325k) = (1.3)(1.0)(2.325k) = 3.023k
M u = (2.583ft)(5.642k + 2.692k + 3.023k) = 29.335(ft k)
Rn =
=

Mu
bd 2

29.335(ftk)

(0.9)(1ft)(32.750in) 2

0.85(3ksi)
1
60ksi

36in
min = 1.7 32.750
in

= 0.0304ksi
= 0.000510

2(0.0304ksi)
0.85(3ksi)
3,000psi
60,000psi

= 0.00188

Use = 43 = 43 (0.000510) = 0.000680

2

A S Req. = bd = (0.000680)(12in)(32.750in) = 0.267 inft

One # 4 bar has As = 0.196 in2
s
0.196in 2

12in
0.267in 2

s = 8.8in
Use # 4 bars @ 8.5 in. cts.
Check Shear
V u = Soil(1) + LL s + Slab wt. = 5.642k + 2.692k + 3.023k = 11.357k
u

Vu
bd

11357lbs
(0.85)(12in)(32.750in)

= 33.998psi 109.5psi = c

o.k.

Reinforcement - Footing - Bottom Steel

Design the flexural steel in the bottom of the footing to resist the largest
moment that the heel pile could exert on the footing. The largest heel pile
bearing force was in Case IV. The heel pile will cause a larger moment about
the stem face than the toe pile (even though there are two toe piles for every
one heel pile) because it has a much longer moment arm about the stem
face.

Revised: Sept. 2001

E5201

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.5-11

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

3.6667 '
Heel Pile Force

Pile is embedded into footing 12 inches.

b = 12 in
h = 36 in
d = 36 in - 4 in = 32 in
Apply Load Factors to Case IV Loads
V = D
 5.828 ftk  + E
 4.820 ftk 
V = 1.3(1.0)
 5.828 ftk  + 1.3(1.0)
 4.820 ftk 
V = 13.842 ftk
(ftk)
(ftk)
M = D
 13.174 ft  + E
 18.930 ft 
(ftk)
(ftk)
M = (1.3)(1.0)
 13.174 ft  + (1.3)(1.0)
 18.930 ft 
M = 41.735
e=

M
V

(ftk)
ft

41.735(ftk)
13.842k

= 3.015ft

Moment arm = 3.015 ft -1.833 ft = 1.182 ft

PH =

V
A

Mc
I

13.842k
0.250A

13.842k(1.182ft)(3.667ft)
1.681(A)ft 2

k  1 
k
P H = 91.059 pile
 12ft = 7.588 ft
(ftk)
M u =  7.588 ftk  (3.667ft) = 27.825 ft

Rn =
=

Mu
bd 2

27.825(ftk)
(0.9)(1ft)(32in) 2

0.85(3ksi)

1
60ksi 



min = 1.7
 36in
32in

1
2

= 0.0301ksi

2(0.0301ksi)
0.85(3ksi)

3,000psi
60,000psi

 = 0.000505


= 0.00196

Use = 43 = 43 (0.000505) = 0.000673

2

A S Req. = bd = (0.000673)(12in)(32in) = 0.258 inft

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.5-12

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

One # 4 bar has As = 0.196 in2 .

s
0.196in 2

12in
0.258in 2

s = 9.1in
Use # 4 bars @ 9 in. cts.
Check Shear
The critical section for shear for the toe is at a distance d = 21.75 inches
from the face of the stem. The toe pile is 6 inches from the stem face so
the toe pile shear does not affect the shear at the critical section. The
critical section for shear is at the stem face for the heel so all of the force
of the heel pile affects the shear at the critical section. The worst case
for shear is Case IV.
V u = 7.588k
u

Vu
bd

7588lbs
0.85(12in)(32in)

= 23.248psi 109.5psi = c

o.k.

Reinforcement - Shear Key

Include 1 ' of eroded fill
3'

0.912 '

PP

b = 12 in
h = 12 in
cover = 3 in
d = 12 in - 3 in - 0.5(0.5 in) = 8.75 in
Apply Load Factors
P P = E (3.845k) = (1.3)(1.3)(3.845k) = 6.498k
M u = (0.912ft)(6.498k) = 5.926(ft k)
Rn =
=

Mu
bd 2

5.926(ftk)
(0.9)(1ft)(8.75in) 2

0.85(3ksi)

1
60ksi 


12in 
min = 1.7
 8.75in

Revised: December 1998

1
2

= 0.0860ksi

2(0.0860ksi)
0.85(3ksi)

3,000psi
60,000psi

 = 0.00146


= 0.00292

E3.62-0

Bridge Manual
Retaining Walls - Section 3.62

Page: 3.5-13

Cast-In-Place Concrete Retaining Walls

Use = 43 = 43 (0.00146) = 0.00195
2

A S Req. = bd = (0.00195)(12in)(8.75in) = 0.205 inft

One # 4 bar has As = 0.196 in2
s
0.196in 2

12in
0.205in 2

s = 11.5 in
Use # 4 bars @ 11 in. cts.
Check Shear
u

Vu
bd

6498lbs
0.85(12in)(8.75in)

= 72.807psi < 109.5psi = c

Reinforcement Summary
1.5 " Cl.
2 " Cl.

# 4's @
18 " cts.

# 4's @
18 " cts.

# 5 's @
8.5 " cts.

# 4's @
12 " cts.

# 4's @
8.5 " cts.
3 " Cl.
4"
# 4 's @
9 " cts.

# 4's
@ 11 "
cts.

# 4's
3 " Cl.

# 4's @ 12 " cts.

(Top and Bottom)

Revised: December 1998

E3.62-0