Choosing the right software for your retaining wall analysis problems

Data needed to perform structural calculations concerning retaining walls

For every structural calculation related  to retaining walls some minimal data are needed from a geotechnical design report such as:

• y-unit weight of the soil behind and in front and at the base of the future wall [SI]=kN/m³;
• Ø-angles of friction of the soils mentioned above [SI]=deg;
• c_u –undrained cohesion strength which is defined as the soil’s interior strength besides its own weight [SI]=kN/m²

With these values known or determined (depending on the ground investigation report) the stuctural engineer can perform basic calculations in order to determine :

Ka-active earth pressure coefficient =>Pa-active earth pressure that will act on the future wall

Kp-passive earth pressure coefficient =>Pp-passive earth pressure that will act on the future wall

(for a detailed presentation on how to proper estimate those coefficients click here or go to the Terms Explanation Post and/or for an automated solution here ! )

and then by proper dimensioning the wall(or even area of reinforcement if needed depending on the type of the wall ) the following design checks can be performed:

• overall failure of the ground containing the wall
• failure of the wall by sliding
• failure of the wall by toppling
• bearing failure of the ground beneath the wall
• structural failure of the wall .

Note:more details on the subjects described above can be accesed by clicking here and following  the chapter 9 of the document!

Complete resume of analysis and design of a retaining wall

Creating a retaining wall subassembly in Autocad Civil 3D