COEM 6012
GEOTECHNICS IN CONSTRUCTION
Lecture 2
Introduction to Retaining Structures
Craig’s Soil Mechanics
by J.A. Knappett & R.F. Craig, 8th ed, Spon Press, 2012
Retaining Structures
Main Goals: In this chapter we discuss the working principles
behind retaining structures. We solve lateral stress and
design a retaining structure within a limit-state design
framework (Eurocode 7).
Contents
1. Introduction to retaining structures
2. Limiting earth pressures from limit analysis
3. Earth pressure at rest
4. Gravity retaining structures: cantilever reinforced walls
5. Gravity retaining structures: mass gravity walls
6. Coulomb’s theory of earth pressure
7. Embedded walls
8. Reinforced soil
Function of Retaining Structures
- Earth retaining structures are used to hold back earth & maintain
a difference in the elevation of the ground surface.
- The retaining structures is designed to withstand the forces
exerted by the retained ground or ‘backfill’ and other externally
applied loads, and to transmit these forces safely to a foundation.
- In general, the cost of constructing a retaining structure is usually
high compared with the cost of forming a new slope. Therefore,
the need for a retaining structure should be assessed carefully
during preliminary design and an effort should be made to keep
the retained height as low as possible.
Classification of Earth Retaining Structures
- Load support mechanism: externally or internally stabilized wall
- Construction method: fill or cut wall
- System rigidity: rigid or flexible wall
• Retaining Walls - Applications
Retaining Walls - Applications
• Retaining Walls - Applications
Retaining Walls - Applications
• Retaining Walls - Applications
Retaining Walls - Applications
Typical
• Retaining WallsApplications for Earth Retaining
- Applications
Structures
- New or widened highways in developed areas;
- New or widened highways at mountain or steep slopes;
- Grade separation;
- Bridge abutments, wing walls and approach embankments;
- Culvert walls;
- Tunnel portals and approaches;
- Flood walls, bulkheads and waterfront structures;
- Stabilization of new or existing slopes and protection against
rock falls
• Retaining Walls - Applications
Types of Retaining Walls
- Gravity Walls: Walls rely on the mass of the wall for
stability, Unreinforced Concrete and masonry (bricks and
stone).
- Cantilever walls.
- Counterforted walls.
- Buttressed walls.
- Gabions (wire baskets filled with stone).
- Crib walls (hollow crib formwork filled with soil).
- Reinforced earth wall
• Types of Retaining Walls
• Types of Retaining Walls:
- Reinforced earth walls are increasingly becoming popular.
• Types of Retaining Walls:
- Crib walls: good drainage & allow plant growth, Looks good
• Types of Retaining Walls: Gabion wall
• Retaining Walls - Applications
Wall Selection Considerations
- Ground type,
- Groundwater,
- Construction considerations,
- Speed of construction,
- Right of way,
- Aesthetics,
- Environmental concerns,
- Durability and maintenance,
- Tradition and
- Local contracting practices.
• Retaining Walls - Applications
Lateral Earth Pressures
Three different types of lateral earth pressure are usually
considered:
(1) At-rest earth pressure;
(2) Active earth pressure;
(3) Passive earth pressure.
These conditions are relative to lateral deformation of the walls.
• Coulomb Coefficients Ka & Kp
• Retaining Walls - Applications
Terminology for Retaining
• Retaining Walls - Applications
Modes of Failure
• Retaining Walls - Applications
Design Steps
(1) Select the suitable type of wall
(2) Determine the dimensions of the wall (empirical)
(3) Estimate earth pressures
(4) Estimate uplift forces
(5) Estimate gravity forces (weights)
(6) Determine external forces
(7) Check safety against sliding
(8) Check safety against overturning
(9) Check soil over stress
(10) Check deep seated failure (slope failure)
