EXAMPLE

Determine suitable dimensions of a cantilever retaining wall, which is required to

support a bank of earth 4.0 m high above the ground level on the toe side of the wall.
Consider the backfill surface to be inclined at an angle of 15o with the horizontal.
Assume good soil for foundation at a depth of 1.25 m below the ground level with a
safe bearing capacity of 160 kN/m2. Further assume the backfill to comprise granular
soil with a unit weight of 16 kN/m3 and an angle of shearing resistance of 30o.
Assume the coefficient of friction between soil and concrete to be 0.5.
SOLUTION

1. Data given: h = 4.0 + 1.25 = 5.25 m; μ = 0.5

θ = 15o γe = 16 kN/m3
φ = 30 o
qa = 160 kN/m2
⎡ cos θ − cos 2 θ − cos 2 φ ⎤
• Earth pressure coefficients: Ca = ⎢ ⎥ cos θ = 0.373
⎢ cos θ + cos 2 θ − cos 2 φ ⎥
⎣ ⎦
1 + sin θ
Cp = = 3.0
1 − sin θ
2. Preliminary proportions
• Thickness of footing base slab ≈ 0.08h = 0.08 × 5.25 = 0.42 m
Assume a thickness of 420 mm.
• Assume a stem thickness of 450 mm at the base of the stem, tapering to a value of
150 mm at the top of the wall.
• For an economical proportioning of the length L of the base slab, it will be
assumed that the vertical reaction R at the footing base is in line with the front
face of the stem. For such a condition, (assuming the height above top of wall to
be about 0.4 m), the length of the heel slab (inclusive of stem thickness)
[Eq. 14.23]:
X≈ ( )
Ca 3 h ′ = 0.373 3 (5.25 + 0.4) ≈ 2.0 m
• Assuming a triangular base pressure distribution,
L = 1.5X = 3.0 m
• The preliminary proportions are shown in Fig. 14.28(a).
3. Stability against overturning
• Force due to active pressure: Pa = Ca γ e h ′ 2 2
where h ′ = h + X tan θ [Fig. 14.28(a)]
= 5250 + 2000 tan 15o = 5786 mm
Pa = (0.373)(16)(5.786)2/2 = 99.9 kN (per m length of wall)
⇒ Pa cos θ = 99.9 cos 15o = 96.5 kN
Pa sin θ = 99.9 sin 15o = 25.9 kN
• Overturning moment Mo = ( Pa cos θ )h ′ 3 = (96.5)(5.786/3) = 186.1 kNm
• Line of action of resultant of vertical forces [Fig. 14.28(a)] with respect to the
heel can be located by applying statics, considering 1 m length of the wall:
distance from
force (kN) heel (m) moment (kNm)

W1 = (16)(1.85)(5.25 – 0.42) = 143.0 0.925 132.3

W2 = (16)(1.85)(0.5 × 0.536) = 7.9 0.617 4.9
W3 = (25)(0.15)(5.25 – 0.42) = 18.1 1.925 34.8
W4 = (25 – 16)(4.83)(0.5 × 0.30) = 6.5 1.750 11.4
W5 = (25)(3.0)(0.42) = 31.5 1.500 47.2
Pa sinθ = 25.9 0.000 0.0
W = 232.9 MW = 230.6 kNm

150 θ = 15o
150
536
W2
(a) forces on wall
(with preliminary
4000 75 Pa sinθ proportions)
h ′ = 5786
W3 925 Pa
h = 5250
250
Pa cosθ
W4 W1
450 h′ 3
1250

420 W5
heel
1500
1000
X = 2000
L = 3000

Mo = 186.1 kNm/m 300 neglect

xw = 990
1000
W = 232.9 kN/m
h1 = 950
h2
122.5 kN/m2 32.8 kN/m2 Pp 300
1500 φ = 30o
e = 289 1300
R=W xR.= 1789 300
3000
(b) calculation of soil pressures (c) design of shear key

Fig. 14.28 Example 14.8

⇒ distance of resultant vertical force from heel

xW = MW /W = 230.6/232.9 = 0.990 m
• Stabilising moment (about toe):
Mr = W (L – xW)
= 232.9 × (3.0 – 0.99)
= 468.1 kNm (per m length of wall)
0.9 M r 0.9 × 468.1
⇒ (FS)overturning = = = 2.26 > 1.40 — OK
Mo 186.1
4. Soil pressures at footing base [refer Fig. 14.28(b)]
• resultant vertical reaction R = W = 232.9 kN (per m length of wall)
• distance of R from heel: LR = ( MW + Mo ) R
= (230.6 + 186.1)/232.9 = 1.789 m †
• eccentricity e = LR – L/2 = 1.789 – 3.0/2 = 0.289 m, < L/6 = 0.5
• Hence, the resultant lies within the middle third of the base, which is desirable
6e 6 × 0.289
= = 0.578
L 3.0
⇒ qmax = ⎛⎜1 + ⎞⎟ =
R 6e 232.9
(1 + 0.578)
L⎝ L⎠ 3.0
= 122.5 kN/m2 < qa — OK
232.9
and qmin = (1 – 0.578) = 32.8 kN/m2 [refer Fig. 14.28(b)]
3.0
5. Stability against sliding
• Sliding force = Pa cosθ = 96.5 kN
• Resisting force (ignoring passive pressure on the toe side) F = μR
= 0.5 × 232.9 = 116.4 kN
0.9 F 0.9 × 116.4
⇒ (FS)sliding = = = 1.085 < 1.40
Pa cos θ 96.5
• Hence, a shear key may be provided to mobilise the balance force through passive
resistance.
• Assume a shear key 300 mm × 300 mm, at a distance of 1300 mm from toe as
shown in Fig. 14.28(c). Distance h2 = 0.950 + 300 + 1.300 tan 30o = 2.001 m
Pp = Cpγe(h22 – h21)/2 = 3 × 16 × (2.0012 – 0.952)/2
= 74.44 kN
0.9(116.4 + 74.44)
(F.S)sliding = = 1.78 > 1.4 — OK
96.5

Repeat the problem in Example 14.8, considering the backfill to be level, but subject
to a surcharge pressure of 40 kN/m2 (due to the construction of a building). Design
the retaining wall structure, assuming M 20 and Fe 415 steel.

†
Note that this value of LR is different from, although close to, the value of X = 2.0 m
asssumed in the initial proportioning.
SOLUTION
1. Data given: (as in Example 14.8)

surcharge hs = 2500
200
2400

1200
(a) forces on wall
(with preliminary
100
4000 proportions)
Pa1
h = 5250
W2 W1
Pa2
350
h/2
W3
650 h/3
1250

620 W4 Ca γe h
1300 X = 2600 Ca γe hs = Ca ws
L = 3900

W = 366.8 kN/m
Mo = 441.0 kNm/m
xw = 1432
1300

142.4 kN/m
2
45.7 kN/m
2 (b) calculation of
1950 soil pressures

x LR = 2284
R=W
L = 3900

300 neglected

1300
h1 = 950 (c) design of shear
h2 key
300
Pp φ = 30o

Cp γe h2 1600 400
 DESIGN OF FOOTINGS AND RETAINING WALLS 723

Fig. 14.29 Example 14.9

h = 4.0 + 1.25 = 5.25 m γe = 16 kN/m3

φ = 30o qa = 160 kN/m2
μ = 0.5 ws = 40 kN/m2
w 40
⇒ Equivalent height of earth as surcharge, hs = s = = 2.5 m
γe 16
⇒ h + hs = 5.25 + 2.5 = 7.75 m
1 − sin φ
• Earth pressure coefficients: Ca = = 1/3
1 + sin φ
Cp = 1 Ca = 3.0
2. Preliminary proportions
• Thickness of footing base slab ≈ 0.08 (h + hs) = 0.08 × 7.75 = 0.620. Assume a
thickness of 620 mm.
• Assume a stem thickness of 650 mm at the base of the stem, tapering to a value of
200 mm at the top of the wall.
• For an economical proportioning of the length L of the base slab, it will be
assumed that the vertical reaction R at the footing base is in line with the front
face of the stem. For such a condition, the length of the heel slab (inclusive of
stem thickness)
X ≈ Ca 3 ( h + hs ) = (1 3) 3 ( 7.75) = 2.58 m
Let X = 2.6 m.
• Assuming a triangular soil pressure distribution below the base,
L = 1.5X = 1.5 × 2.6 = 3.9 m
• The preliminary proportions are shown in Fig. 14.29(a)
3. Stability against overturning
• Forces due to active pressure (per m length of wall) [Fig. 14.29(a)]:
Pa1 = Ca ws h = (1/3)(40)(5.25) = 70.0 kN
Pa2 = Ca γe h2/2 = (1/3)(16)(5.25)2/2 = 73.5 kN
⇒ Pa = 70.0 + 73.5 = 143.5 kN
• Overturning moment Mo = Pa1 h/2 + Pa2 h/3
⇒ Mo = (70.0)(5.25/2) + (73.5)(5.25/3)
= 312.4 kNm (per m length of wall)
• Line of action of resultant of vertical forces [Fig. 14.29(a)] with respect to the
heel can be located by applying statics, considering 1 m length of the wall:

distance from
force (kN) heel (m) moment (kNm)

W1 = (16)(2.40)(7.75 – 0.62) = 273.8 1.20 328.6

W2 = (25)(0.20)(4.63) = 23.2 2.50 58.0
W3 = (25 – 16) (0.5 × 0.45) (4.63) = 9.4 2.25 21.1
W4 = (25)(3.90)(0.62) = 60.4 1.95 117.8
W = 366.8 MW = 525.5 kNm
 ⇒ distance of resultant vertical force from heel
xW = MW /W = 525.5/366.8 = 1.432 m
Referring to Fig. 14.29(b),
• Stabilising moment (about toe):
Mr = W (L – xW)
= 366.8 × (3.9 – 1.432)
= 905.3 kNm (per m length of wall)
0.9 M r 0.9 × 905.3
⇒ (FS)overturning = = = 2.61 > 1.40 — OK
Mo 312.4
4. Soil pressures at footing base [refer Fig. 14.29(b)]
• resultant vertical reaction R = W = 366.8 kN (per m length of wall)
• distance of R from heel: L R = ( M W + M o ) R
= (525.5 + 312.4)/366.8 = 2.284 m †
• eccentricity e = LR – L/2 = 2.284 – 3.9/2 = 0.334 m (< L/6 = 0.65)
indicating that the resultant lies well inside the middle third of the base.
6e 6 × 0.334
⇒ = = 0.514
L 3.9
⇒ qmax = ⎛⎜1 + ⎞⎟ =
R 6e 366.8
(1 + 0.514)
L⎝ L⎠ 3.9
= 142.4 kN/m2 < qa = 150 kN/m2 — OK.
⇒ qmin = ⎛⎜1 − ⎞⎟ =
R 6e 366.8
(1 – 0.514) = 45.7 kN/m2,
L⎝ L⎠ 3.9
as shown in Fig. 14.29(b).
5. Stability against sliding
• Sliding force = Pa = 143.5 kN (per m length of wall)
• Resisting force (ignoring passive pressure) F = μR
= 0.5 × 366.8 = 183.4 kN > Pa
0.9 F 0.9 × 183.4
• (F.S)sliding = = = 1.15 < 1.4
Pa 143.5
• Hence, a shear key needs to be provided to generate the balance force through
passive resistance.
Required Pp = 1.40 × 143.5 – 0.9×183.4 = 35.8 kN (per m length of wall)
Providing a shear key 300 mm × 400 mm at 1.6 m from toe [Fig. 14.29(c)],
h2 = 0.95 + 0.3 + 1.6 tan 30o = 2.17 m
Pp = 3 × 16(2.172 – 0.952)/2 = 91.4 kN
0.9(183.4 + 91.4)
⇒ (F.S)sliding = = 1.72 > 1.4 — OK
143.5

†
Note that this value of xR is close to, but not equal to, the value of X = 2.6 m assumed in the
initial proportioning.
6. Design of toe slab
• The loads considered for the design of the toe slab are as shown in Fig. 14.30(a).
The net pressures, acting upward, are obtained by reducing the uniformly
distributed self-weight of the toe slab from the gross pressures at the base.
Self-weight loading = 25 × 0.62 = 15.5 kN/m2
• The net upward pressure varies from 126.9 kN/m2 to 94.7 kN/m2, as shown in
Fig. 14.30(b).
• Assuming a clear cover of 75 mm and 16 φ bars, d = 620 – 75 – 8 = 537 mm
• Applying a load factor of 1.5, the design shear force (at d = 537 mm from the
front face of the stem) and the design moment at the face of the stem are given
by:
Vu ≈ 1.5(126.9 + 94.7)/2 × (1.3 – 0.537) = 126.8 kN/m
Mu = 1.5 × [(94.7 × 1.32/2) + (126.9 – 94.7) × 0.5 × 1.32 × 2/3] = 147.2 kNm/m
V 126.8 × 10 3
• Nominal shear stress τ v = u = = 0.236 MPa
bd 10 3 × 537
For a τ c = 0.24 MPa, the required pt = 0.10 with M 20 concrete [refer Eq. 6.1]

1300 650 1950

129.6 kN/m2

15.5 kN/m2

45.7 kN/m2

142.4 kN/m2
94.0
110.2

(a)

35.6 kN/m2 83.9 kN/m2

94.7 kN/m2
126.9 kN/m2

(b)

Fig. 14.30 Net soil pressures acting on base slab

Mu 147.2 × 10 6
• R≡ = = 0.510 MPa
bd 2 10 3 × 537 2
726 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN

[ ]
( pt ) reqd 20
⇒ = 1 − 1 − 4.598 × 0.510 20 = 0.15 × 10–2, which is
100 2 × 415
adequate for shear also
⇒ (Ast)reqd = (0.15 × 10–2) × 103 × 537 = 806 mm2/m
• Using 16 φ bars, spacing required = 201 × 103/806 = 249 mm
Provide 16 φ bars @ 240 c/c at the bottom of the toe slab. The bars should
extend by at least a distance Ld = 47.0 × 16 = 752 mm beyond the front face of
the stem, on both sides. As the toe slab length is only 1.3 m overall, no
curtailment of bars is resorted to here.
7. Design of heel slab
• The loads considered for the design of the heel slab are as shown in Fig. 14.30(a).
The distributed loading acting downward on the heel slab is given by
i) overburden + surcharge @ 16 × (7.75 – 0.62) = 114.1 kN/m2
ii) heel slab @ 25 × 0.62 = 15.5 ”
⇒ w = 129.6 kN/m2
• The net pressure acts downwards, varying between 35.6 kN/m2 and 83.9 kN/m2
as shown in Fig. 14.30(b).
• Applying a load factor of 1.5, the design shear force and bending moment at the
(rear) face of the stem are given by
Vu = 1.5(35.6 + 83.9)/2 × 1.95 = 174.8 kN/m
Mu = 1.5 × [(35.6 × 1.952/2) + (83.9 – 35.6) × 0.5 × 1.952 × 2/3] = 193.4 kNm/m
• Assuming a clear cover of 75 mm and 16 φ bars, d = 620 – 75 – 8 = 537 mm
V 174.8 × 10 3
• Nominal shear stress τ v = u =
bd 10 3 × 537
= 0.326 MPa
Corresponding τ c = 0.33, with M 20 concrete [refer Eq. 6.1],
( pt )reqd = 0.20
Mu 193.4 × 10 6
• R≡ =
bd 2
10 3 × 537 2
= 0.670 MPa

[ ]
( pt )reqd 20
⇒ = 1 − 1 − 4.598 × 0.670 20
100 2 × 415
= 0.193 × 10–2
< 0.20 × 10–2 required for shear
⇒ (Ast)reqd = (0.20 × 10–2) × 103 × 537
= 1074 mm2/m
• Using 16 φ bars, spacing required = 201 × 103/1074 = 187 mm
Provide 16 φ bars @ 180 c/c at the top of the heel slab. The bars should extend
by at least a distance Ld = 47.0 × 16 = 752 mm beyond the rear face of the stem,
on both sides. The bars may be curtailed part way to the heel; however, since the
length is relatively short, this is not resorted to in this example.
8. Design of vertical stem
• Height of cantilever above base h = 5.250 – 0.62 = 4.63 m
• Assuming a clear cover of 50 mm and 20 φ bars,
d (at the base) = 650 – 50 – 10 = 590 mm
• Assuming a load factor of 1.5, maximum design moment
Mu = 1.5[Ca ws h2/2 + Ca γe h3/6]
= 1.5 × (1/3)[40 × 4.632/2 + 16 × 4.633/6]
= 346.7 kNm/m
Mu 346.7 × 10 6
⇒R≡ = = 1.00 MPa
bd 2
10 3 × 590 2

[ ]
( pt )reqd 20
⇒ = 1 − 1 − 4.598 × 1.00 20 = 0.295 × 10–2
100 2 × 415
⇒ (Ast)reqd = (0.295 × 10–2) × 103 × 590 = 1741 mm2/m
201 × 10 3
• Using 16 φ bars, spacing required = = 115 mm
1741
Provide 16 φ @ 110 c/c, bars extending into the ‘shear key’. [This anchorage
will be more than the minimum required: Ld = 47.0 × 16 = 752 mm]
• Check for shear at base:
Critical section is at d = 0.59 m above base, i.e., at zs = 4.63 – 0.59 = 4.04 m
below top edge. Shear force at critical section = 1.5 [Ca ws zs + Ca γs zs2 /2]
= 1.5 × (1/3)[40 × 4.04 + 16 × 4.042/2]
= 146 kN/m
146 × 10 3
τv = = 0.248 MPa < τ c for pt = 0.295
10 3 × 590
— OK
Note that since the shear stress is low and flexural reinforcement ratio also is low,
the thickness of stem at base could be reduced for a more economical design.
• Curtailment of bars:
The curtailment of the bars may be done in two stages (at one-third and two-third
heights of the stem above the base) as shown in Fig. 14.31. It can be verified that
the curtailment satisfies the Code requirements.
• Temperature and Shrinkage reinforcement
Provide two-thirds of the (horizontal) bars near the front face (which is exposed
to weather and the remaining one-third near the rear face. For the lowermost one-
third height of the stem above base,
Ast = (0.0012 × 103 × 650) × 2/3
= 520 mm2/m
• Using 8 φ bars, spacing required = 50.3 × 103/520 = 97 mm ≈ 100 mm. Provide
8 φ @ 100 c/c near front face and 8 φ @ 200 c/c near rear face in the lowermost
 one-third height of the wall; 8 φ @ 200 c/c near front face and 8 φ @ 400 c/c in
the middle one-third height; and 8 φ @ 300 c/c near front face and 8 φ @ 600 c/c
near the rear face in the top one-third height of the wall.
• Also provide nominal bars 10 φ bars @ 300 c/c vertically near the front face.
• The detailing is shown in Fig. 14.31.

200 450

8 φ @ 300 c/c 16 φ @ 330 c/c

1500
8 φ @ 600 c/c
10 φ @ 300 c/c

4000
8 φ @ 200 c/c
16 φ @ 220 c/c 1500

8 φ @ 400 c/c

10 φ @ 300 c/c
8 φ @ 100 c/c
8 φ @ 200 c/c
1300
16 φ @ 110 c/c
10 φ 16 φ @ 180 c/c
1250
620

16 φ @ 240 c/c 300

300 × 400 shear key

1600 400

3900

Fig. 14.31 Detailing of cantilever wall — Example 14.9