Volume 6 – Geotechnical Manual, Site Investigation and Engineering ...

Chapter 7 RETAINING WALL
Table of Contents
Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………………………...…7-i
List of Tables ........................................................................................................................ 7-II
List of Figures ....................................................................................................................... 7-II
7.1 GENERAL ..................................................................................................................... 7-1
7.2 TYPE OF RETAINING WALLS .......................................................................................... 7-1
7.3 SHEAR STRENGTH – LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE RELATIONSHIP ..................................... 7-2
7.4 LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE ........................................................................................... 7-4
7.4.1 At-Rest Lateral Earth Pressure .......................................................................... 7-4
7.4.2 Active and Passive Lateral Earth Pressures ........................................................ 7-5
7.4.2.1 Rankine’s Theory ............................................................................ 7-5
7.4.2.2 Coulomb’s Theory ........................................................................... 7-8
7.4.2.3 Effects of Wall Friction ..................................................................... 7-9
7.4.3 Lateral Earth Pressure Due to Ground Water ................................................... 7-14
7.4.4 Lateral Pressure from Surchage ...................................................................... 7-14
7.5 STABILITY OF RIGID RETAINING WALL ....................................................................... 7-17
7.5.1 Sliding/Translational Stability ......................................................................... 7-19
7.5.2 Overturning Stability...................................................................................... 7-19
7.5.3 Bearing Capacity Failure ................................................................................ 7-20
7.5.4 Global Stability .............................................................................................. 7-20
7.5.5 Selection of Backfill Materials ......................................................................... 7-21
7.5.6 Design Wall Drainage System ......................................................................... 7-21
7.5.7 Design Example – Gravity/Cantilever Reinforced Concrete Wall ......................... 7-23
7.6 FLEXIBLE WALL SYSTEM ............................................................................................. 7-25
7.6.1 General ........................................................................................................ 7-25
7.6.2 Types of Flexible Walls .................................................................................. 7-26
7.6.3 Sheet Pile Wall .............................................................................................. 7-27
7.6.3.3 Design of Anchor - General ............................................................ 7-30
7.6.3.4 Some Considerations on Sheet Pile Wall Design ............................... 7-31
7.6.3.3 Cantilever Steel Sheet Pile Retaining Wall - Example ....................... 7-33
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................ 7-38
March 2009 7-i