Analysis and Design of Stepped Cantilever Retaining Wall

DOI : 10.17577/IJERTV4IS020033

Download Full-Text PDF Cite this Publication

Text Only Version

Analysis and Design of Stepped Cantilever Retaining Wall

Dr. S.S Patil1

1Professor and Head, Civil Engineering Department, Walchand Insitute of Technology, Solapur, Maharashtra, India

Abstract A retaining wall is one of the most important types of retaining structures. It is extensively used in variety of situations such as highway engineering, railway engineering, bridge engineering and irrigation engineering. Reinforced concrete retaining walls have a vertical or inclined stem cast with base slab. These are considered suitable up to a height of 6m. It resists lateral earth pressure by cantilever action of stem, toe slab and heel slab. The tendency of wall to slide forward due to lateral earth pressure should be investigated and a factor of safety of 1.5 shall be provided against sliding. Cantilever retaining walls are found best up to a height of 6m.For greater heights earth pressure due to retained fill will be higher due to lever arm effect, higher moments are produced at base, which leads to higher section for stability design as well as structural design. This proves to be an uneconomical design. As an alternative to this, one may go for counter fort retaining wall, which demands greater base area as well as steel. As a solution to this difficulty, a new approach that is to minimize effect of forces coming from retained fill , short reinforced concrete members in the form of cantilever steps are cast along the stem on the retaining face. Addition of these steps would counterbalance the locally appearing forces and will result into lesser moment and shear forces along the stem. Also it will reduce the bending action that is pressure below the base.

The objectives of the study are

To reduce the stresses on the retaining face of the cantilever retaining w all, it is proposed to introduce reinforced concrete steps along the stem.

  1. Decide the most economical location of step along length and also along height of w all from number of trials.

  2. Decide cross section of the R. C. step as per the stresses due to frictional forces in step.

    A.A.R.Bagban2

    2 Post Graduate Student, Walchand Institute of Technology, Solapur. Maharashtra, India

    land reclamation and coastal engineering etc. Reinforced concrete retaining walls have a vertical or inclined stem cast monolithic with a base slab. These are considered suitable up to a height of 6m. It resists the lateral earth pressure by cantilever action of the stem, toe slab and heel slab.

    Necessary reinforcements are provided to take care of the flexural stresses. The tendency of the wall to slide forward due to lateral earth pressure should be investigated and if a factor of safety is insufficient, a shear key should be designed to prevent lateral movement of the structure.

    1. Cantilever Retaining Walls

      These walls are made of reinforced cement concrete. It consists of a thin stem and a base slab cast monolithically. This type of wall is found to be economical up to a height 6 to 8m.

      Surcharge

      Backfill

      Stem

  3. Stability analysis of Cantilever retaining w all with steps for unit w idth w ill be done. Check for minimum and maximum stresses w ill be observed.

  4. Cost comparison shall be carried out for these three

    Toe

    Fig.1

    Heel

    different alternatives to give most economical retaining w all type.

    Index Terms Mechanism of Concrete plates; Concrete quantity; Steel reinforcement and Cost comparison of Counter fort and Stepped Cantilever retaining wall.

    1. INTRODUCTION

      A retaining wall is one of the most important types of soil retaining structures. The primary purpose of retaining wall is to retain earth or other material at or near vertical position. It is extensively used in variety of situations such as highway engineering, railway engineering, bridge engineering, dock and harbor engineering, irrigation engineering,

      1. Counter fort Retaining Walls

        These walls have thin vertical slabs, known as counter forts, spaced across vertical stem at regular intervals. The counter forts tie the vertical stem with the base slab. Thus the vertical stem and the base sla b span between the counter forts. The purpose of providing the counter forts is to reduce the shear force and bending moments in the vertical stem and the base slab. The counter fort retaining walls are economical for a height more than 6 to 8m.

        Face Slab

        Toe Slab

        Fig.2

        Heel Slab

        Counter forts

        pressure which resists complete ly the sliding tendency of wall. A factor of safety of 1.5 is used against sliding.

        Bending failure

        The stem AB will bend as cantilever so that tensile face will be towards the soil face in case if there is no backfill, where as tensile face will be to wards the water face in case there is backfill. The critical section will be at E and B, where crack may occur at if it is not properly reinforced. The soil side slab will have net pressure acting downwards , and will bent as a cantilever having tensile fac e at top for retaining wall, at the same time the heel slab will be subjected to net upward pressure causing tensile face at bottom. The thickness of stem, toe slab, and heel slab must be sufficient to withstand compressive stresses due to bending also; the stem thickness must

    2. ANALYSIS OF RETAINING WALLS

      1. Cantilever retaining wall 1) Stability

        Figure 2.1 shows a cantilever retaining wall subjected to following forces:

        Fig.3: Mechanism of Cantilever Retaining Wall

          • Weight W1 of the stem.

          • Weight W2 of the base slab.

          • Weight W3 of the column of soil supported on heel slab.

          • Weight W4 of the soil supported on toe slab.

          • Horizontal force Pa equal to active earth pressure acting at H/3 above base slab.

            1. Modes of Failure of a Retaining Wall Overturning about A

              The most hazardous mode of failure of retaining wall is due to overturning because of unbalanced moments. Here, a minimum factor of safety is used.

              Sliding

              The horizontal force tends to slid e the stem and wall away from fill. The tendency to resist this is achieved by the friction at the base. Here, if the wall is found to unsafe against sliding, shear key below the base is provided. Such a key develops passive

              be check for uncracked section.

            2. Design Principal of Cantilever Retaining Wall

            The various dimensions of wall are so proportioned that the various failure criteria discussed above are taken care of. The design of wall consist of the fixation of base width, design of stem, design of toe slab, design of heel slab.

            Fixation of base width

            The base width of wall is so chosen that the resultant of forces remain within middle third of base slab, the uplift pressure is zero at heel slab side also it should be safe from consideration of sliding.

            Design of stem

            The vertical stem is designed as cantilever for triangular loading with Ka h as base of triangle h as height of it. The main reinforcement is provided at 0.3 % of the area o f cross section along the length of wall.

            Design of toe slab

            I t i s a l s o d e s i g n a s a c a nt i l e v e r b e a m o r s l a b . T he ma i n r e i n fo r c e me n t i s p r o vi d e d a t l o we r f a c e o r b o t t o m s i d e a s up w a r d s o i l p r e s s ur e l o a d i s a c t i n g o n t ha t f a c e . T hi c k ne s s i s c h e c ke d f o r m a x i mu m c a n t i l e v e r mo me n t a nd d e fl e c t i o n c r i t e r io n.

            Design of heel slab

            It is also design as a cantilever beam or slab. The main reinforcement is provided at the upper face or top side of heel slab as active load is acting there in form of overburden pr essure. The design reinforcement for effective moment due to upward soil pressure should also provide at bottom side of heel slab. The thickness is checked for maximum cantilever moment and deflection criterion for cantilever action.

      2. Analysis of counter-fort retaining wall

        The counter forts support both the vertical stem as well as base slab. Design principles for various

        component parts are discussed below in brief. The same criterion is adopted for fixing the base width as cantilever retaining wall.

        1. Design of stem

          Unlike the stem of cantilever retaining wall, the stem of counter fort retaining wall acts as a continuous slab supported on counters forts. Due to varying pressure over the height of stern, the stem slab deflects outwards and henc e main reinforcement is provided along the length of the wall as per design conditions.

          Pc – Effect of counter fort

          Lc – Spacing of counter forts along length of wall

          Fig.4: Mechanism of Counter fort Retaining Wall

          The reaction of the stem is taken by the counter forts, to which it is firmly anchored. The maximum bending moment occurs at Base. The uniformly distributed earth pressure load or water pressure load is calculated for unit height.

        2. Design of Heel slab

          The action is similar that of stem. The Heel slab is subjected to the downward load due to weight of soil and self weight, upward load due to upward soil pressure below heel slab. The maximum net pressure is found to act on a strip of unit width near outer edge, since the upward soil react ion is minimum there, the total reaction from the heel slab is transferred to the counter forts, and this load helps to provide a balancing moment against its overturning. The heel slab is firmly attached to the counter forts by means of vertical ties.

        3. Design of Toe slab

          The action of Heel slab is similar to that of cantilever retaining wall.

        4. Design of Counter forts

        The counter fort takes reactions, both from the stem as well as Heel slab. As sh own in fig. 4.2, the counter forts are subjected to tensile stresses along the outer face AC of the counter forts. The angle ABC between stem and slab has a tendency to increase from 900, and counter forts resist this tendency. Thus the counter fort may be considered to bend as a cantilever, fixed at BC .

        T he counter fort acts as an inverted T beam of varying rib depth. The maxi mum depth of this T beam is at the j unction B . T he depth is measured perpendicular to the sloping face AB, i. e. depth dl=BB 1. At B, This depth thus goes on decreasing towards Al where the bending moment also decreases. The width of counter fort is kept constant throughout its height, main reinforcement is provided parallel to AC . T he faces AB and B C of the counter fort remain in compression. The compressive stresses on face AB a re counterbalanced by the vertical upward reaction transferred by the slab. In addition to the main reinforcement, the counter forts are j ointed firmly to the stem and base slab by horizontal and vertical ties respectively.

      3. Stepped cantilever retaining wall (New Approach)

      For retaining back fill of heights more than 10 – 11 meters. The conventional walls like cantilever and counter fort becomes very massive and al most uneconomical hence a suitable modification to these walls so as to economize the reta ining wall construction. The proposed modified alternative is

      Stepped cantilever retaining wall. The general outline of concept will be clear from figure as shown.

      P – Stabilizing frictional force Pa – Active pressure component

      L – Spacing of concrete steps along length of wall Fig.5Mechanism of stepped cantilever retaining wall

      T he main concept in this type is supporting the high ste m at critical points indirectly by means of pulling force developed due to surface friction of concrete steps with backfill. Here the effect of self weight of these steps in stabilizing wall against active pressure is not considered as it may be negligible.

      C o n v e n t i o n a l l y i n c a s e o f s h e e t p i l e w a l l s , t h e r e w a s u s e o f a n c h o r r o d s a n d t h e c o n c r e t e p l a t e s o r c o n c r e t e d e a d m a n w a s u s e d t o d e v e l o p f r i c t i o n a l f o r c e . I n c a s e o f s h e e t p i l e w a l l w i t h v e r t i c a l c o n c r e t e p l a t e s t h e m e c h a n i s m o f p u l l i n g f o r c e w a s d u e t o p a s s i v e r e s i s t a n c e o f s o i l m a s s b o u n d e d b y h e i g h t o f c o n c r e t e w a l l

      a n d i n t h a t c a s e t h e r o l e o f c o n c r e t e w a l l w a s d i f f e r e n t f r o m f r i c t i o n a l r e s i s t a n c e f u n c t i o n . I n c a s e o f s h e e t p i l e w a l l s t h e t h i c k n e s s o f s t e m w a s v e r y s m a l l b u t i t i s c o n t i n u o u s w a l l w i t h m e m b r a n e a c t i o n t h a n b e a m/ s l a b a c t i o n b u t i n t h i s c a s e , t h e s e c o n c r e t e s t e p s a r e u s e d a s s u p p o r t i n g m e c h a n i s m f o r c o n v e n t i o n a l c a n t i l e v e r w a l l w h i c h g i v e s r e l a t i v e l y l e s s d i me n s i o n s f o r a s s u m e d s l a b b e a m m e c h a n i s m t h a n c o n v e n t i o n a l d e s i g n a p p r o a c h .

      1. Design Principles

        Design principles for various component parts are discussed below in brief. T he procedu re of analysis is sa me as cantilever retaining wall but their preliminary dimensi ons given will be based on load distribution assume d for actual analysis. Like any other analysis and design this will be Iterative ( trial and error) method, the preliminary d imensions ma y be approximately gi ven as half of that for purely cantilever wall with so me exiting thumb rules.

      2. Fixation of base width

        I n t hi s ca s e i t i s no t ne c e s sar y t ha t t he b a se wi d t h o f wa l l i s s o c ho s e n t ha t t he re s ult a nt o f fo rc e s r e ma i n wi t h i n mi d dl e t hird a nd the mi ni mu m ( up l i ft) pre s s ur e at t oe i s z ero b ut t hes e d i me ns i o ns c a n b e c ho se n a ppro xi ma t e l y wi t hout t he s e c he c ks.

      3. Design of stem

        The vertical stem is designed as cantilever for triangular loading but reinforcement will be pro vided from actual modified pressure diagram due to restoring force developed by concrete steps. Distribution reinforcement may be provided as per standards.

      4. Design of Toe slab

        It is also designed as a cantilever slab/beam. Reinforcement is provided at lower face. There will major reduction in depth and steel reinforcement in toe and heel slab due to reduction in the active pressure and addition in self -weight of wall. This will effectively economize the wall construction. Thickness is checked for the maximum cantilever moment.

      5. Design of Heel slab

        It is also designed as a cantilever. Reinforcement is provided at the upper face. Thickness is checked for the maximum cantilever moment.

      6. Design of concrete steps

        The concrete steps will be plac ed along length at suitable spacing L. The mechanism of friction generation is fully dependant on overburden load i.e. depth of step from top of wall hence the step provided at more depth will give better results. The one more effective element in friction development is embedment length and width of step. The overlaying

        or overlapping of steps and embedment in various pressure zones like passive or rest will also be important. These steps will act as free cantilevers spanning from stem or somewhat like pla tes supported on spring or elastic media depending upon degree of compaction of backfill. These assumptions dominate its design or depth t stem and free end. If steps assumed as slab strips supported on elastic media then their depth and steel reinforceme nt for moment will be less than its minimum depth as per standards and steel required for tensile forces developed due to frictional resistance.

      7. Calculation of frictional resistance offered by plate

        The concrete plates are inserted in compacted backfill. They will develop frictional force along contact planes of concrete and soil due to overburden pressure and compaction. This frictional force will act as indirect stabilizing force for overturning retaining wall and will pull wall inside.

        Mechanism

        The concrete plate separated from stem inserte d in soil is as shown in figure 4.

        L

        Displaced stem Active state zone

        Le Effective length of plate

        Fig.6: Mechanism of step

        The effective frictional p ressure=

        Coefficient of friction x height of backfill on plate x dry density of backfill.

        Effective length of plate =

        Length of plate beyond active zone.

        Effective frictional force =

        Width of plate x effective length of plate x 2

        x Effective frictional pressure .

      8. Finalization of Step location

      For actual analysis to decide location of step along length and along height of wall is most important task as it may hamper most of assumptions. Hence the length of step immersed in backfi ll was kept constant and the location of plate along length of wall was fixed from number of trails for stability. For finalizing the location of step along height of wall, the number of trials is taken starting from half of height and with interval of 500 mm. The stability analysis of each wall is done and concret e quantity, steel reinforcement are compared. The most economical wall is selected for final comparison as alternative with other retaining wall types.

      The following table shows all aspects of stepped cantilever wall for various step heights from top of wall. The comparison is also shown graphically by subsequent graphs for each height.

      1. Stepped retaining wall of height 6m

      Assumptions

      1. Back fill is enough compacted.

      2. Step length embedded in backfill – 3.5m 3.Step dimensions – 400 x 300 mm

      Table 1: Stability analysis and cost comparison

      Step from top m.

      Width of toe slab

      Width of heel slab

      Depth of base slab

      Total base slab

      Stem Thik

      Top

      Bottom

      3

      0.85

      2.5

      0.4

      3.7

      0.2

      0.35

      3.5

      0.65

      2.5

      0.4

      3.5

      0.2

      0.35

      4

      0.65

      1.9

      0.4

      2.9

      0.2

      0.35

      4.5

      0.65

      2.42

      0.4

      3.42

      0.2

      0.35

      5

      0.65

      2.6

      0.4

      3.6

      0.2

      0.35

      5.5

      0.65

      2.9

      0.45

      3.9

      0.2

      0.35

      Upward soil pressure in KN/m2

      Effective frictional force

      Concrete m3

      Steel quantity Kg/m

      Pmax.

      Pmin.

      101.7

      295.2

      38.21

      2.305

      138.26

      103.6

      292

      51.85

      2.3625

      143.3

      88

      296.5

      67.56

      2.26

      141.38

      94.7

      299.1

      85.36

      2.6055

      158.99

      101.7

      296.1

      105.23

      2.815

      176.65

      106.9

      305.4

      127.18

      3.2675

      202.55

      Upward soil pressure KN/m2

      Effective frictional

      force KN

      Concrete m3

      Steel quantity

      Kg/m

      Pmax.

      Pmin.

      220.63

      281.53

      78.91

      3.9555

      294.49

      213.15

      299.95

      100.46

      4.2125

      272.96

      217.81

      295.3

      124.61

      4.3

      280.63

      206.31

      294.54

      151.35

      4.15

      275.03

      197.56

      295.12

      180.68

      4.35

      320.84

      183.01

      295.3

      212.62

      4.48

      313.44

      177.32

      289.68

      247.15

      4.96025

      295.81

      172.75

      286.56

      284.28

      5.5275

      308.79

      Graph 1: Step location Vs concrete m3 for wall Ht. 6.0 m

      Graph 2: Step location Vs steel kg for wall Ht. 6.0 m

      2. Stepped retaining wall of height 8m

      Assumptions

      1. Back fill is enough compacted.

      2. Step length embedded in back fill – 4.5m 3.Step dimensions – 500 x 300 mm

        Table 2: Stability analysi s and cost comparison for wall

        ht.8m

        Step from top

        Width of toe slab

        Width of heel slab

        Depth of base slab

        Total base slab

        Stem thickness in m

        at top

        Bottom

        4

        1.3

        3.95

        0.47

        5.65

        0.25

        0.4

        4.5

        1.2

        3.9

        0.5

        5.5

        0.25

        0.4

        5

        1.1

        3.85

        0.5

        5.35

        0.25

        0.4

        5.5

        0.95

        3.9

        0.45

        5.25

        0.25

        0.4

        6

        1.15

        3.4

        0.45

        5

        0.25

        0.45

        6.5

        1.25

        3.2

        0.45

        4.9

        0.25

        0.45

        7

        1.35

        3.12

        0.45

        4.995

        0.25

        0.525

        7.5

        1.45

        3.15

        0.45

        5.2

        0.25

        0.6

        Graph 4

        :

        Step location Vs concrete cum/m for wall Ht. 8.0 m

        Graph 7: Step location Vs concrete cum/m for wall Ht. 8.0 m

        Graph 5: Step location Vs steel kg/m for wall Ht. 8 m

      3. Stepped retaining wall of height 10m

      Assumptions

      1. Back fill is enough compacted.

      2. Step length embedded in backfill – 5.5m 3.Step dimensions – 600 x 300 mm

        Table 3: Stability analysis and cost comparison for wall

        Step from top m.

        Width of toe slab m

        Width of heel slab m

        Depth of base slab m

        Total base slab m

        Stem thickness in m

        at top

        Bottom

        5

        1.5

        8.5

        0.55

        10.5

        0.35

        0.5

        5.5

        1.45

        7.15

        0.55

        9.15

        0.35

        0.55

        6

        1.4

        6.85

        0.55

        8.75

        0.35

        0.5

        6.5

        1.35

        6.65

        0.55

        8.5

        0.35

        0.5

        7

        1.5

        6.5

        0.5

        8.5

        0.35

        0.5

        7.5

        1.45

        6.15

        0.55

        8.2

        0.35

        0.6

        8

        1.5

        5.55

        0.55

        7.8

        0.35

        0.75

        8.5

        1.5

        5.25

        0.55

        7.5

        0.35

        0.75

        9

        1.6

        4.925

        0.6

        7.25

        0.35

        0.725

        9.5

        1.75

        5.425

        0.6

        8

        0.35

        0.825

        height10m.

        Graph 8: Step location Vs steel kg/m for wall Ht. 10.0 m

        1. Stepped retaining wall of height 12m

          Assumptions

          1.Step length embedded in backfill – 6.5 M 2.Step dimensions – 650 x 400 mm

          Table 4:Stability analysis and co st comparison for wall

          ht.12m

          Step from top

          Width of toe slab m

          Width of heel slab m

          Depth of base slab m

          Total base slab m

          6

          2.1

          5.9

          0.75

          8.65

          6.5

          1.9

          6.6

          0.75

          9.15

          7

          1.8

          6.3

          0.65

          8.75

          7.5

          1.65

          6.2

          0.65

          8.45

          8

          1.5

          6.35

          0.65

          8.45

          8.5

          1.4

          6.1

          0.65

          8.2

          9

          1.25

          5.85

          0.6

          7.8

          9.5

          1.4

          5.45

          0.7

          7.5

          10

          1.51

          5.09

          0.7

          7.25

          10.5

          1.6

          5.6

          0.65

          8

          11

          1.7

          5.2

          0.65

          7.8

          11.5

          1.8

          5.225

          0.7

          8.1

          Upword soil pressure KN/m2

          Effective frictional force KN

          Concrete m3

          Steel quantity Kg/m

          Pmax.

          Pmin.

          297.29

          217.93

          213.27

          9.4875

          780.71

          295.99

          229.29

          252.98

          10.1125

          653.98

          297.01

          224.59

          296.07

          9.1875

          664.01

          299.91

          240.15

          342.53

          9.055

          602.19

          295.05

          249.66

          392.37

          9.2925

          665.24

          286.61

          260.06

          445.59

          9.7925

          704.89

          270.77

          280.76

          502.18

          9.405

          855.36

          255.28

          289.2

          562.14

          10

          856.7

          240.75

          294.08

          562.14

          10.075

          861.16

          245.75

          283.49

          692.2

          11.2375

          810.15

          244.36

          283.43

          762.29

          11.945

          822.89

          249.26

          283.24

          835.76

          11.85125

          877.55

          Graph 10: Step location Vs concrete cum/m for wall Ht. 12 m

          Upward soil pressure KN/m2

          Effective frictional force KN

          Concretem3

          Steel quantity Kg/m

          Pmax.

          Pmin.

          297.9

          290.8

          299.8

          12.5625

          928.64

          298.52

          284.82

          348.86

          11.8625

          968.68

          295.9

          282.2

          401

          11.875

          946

          291.9

          275

          457.9

          12.09

          925.5

          300

          283.5

          517.88

          11.4255

          967

          292.9

          272.8

          581.5

          13.156

          1015.9

          282

          280.35

          648.73

          13.4625

          1004

          264.5

          276.8

          719.6

          14.425

          1111

          238.88

          283.5

          794.12

          14.925

          1089

          267.8

          271.9

          872.19

          15.9

          1233

          234.5

          286.35

          954

          16.1625

          1167

          223.5

          290.75

          1040

          17.0835

          1064

          213

          299

          1128.5

          18.3625

          1077

          225

          300

          1221

          19.92

          1350

          246.25

          300

          1317.5

          22.725

          1511

          Graph 11: Step location Vs steel kg/m for wall Ht. 12.0 m

        2. Stepped retaining wall of height 15m

      Assumptions

      1.Step length embedded in backfill 7.5m 2.Step dimensions – 700 x 450 mm

      Table 5:Stability analysis and cost comparis on for wall

      ht.15m

      Step from top m

      Width of toe slab

      m

      Width of heel slab m

      Depth of base slab m

      Total base slab m

      Stem thickness in m

      at top

      Bottom

      7.5

      2.1

      6.3

      0.75

      9.5

      0.35

      1.1

      8

      2.15

      6.1

      0.75

      9.15

      0.35

      0.9

      8.5

      2.12

      5.73

      0.75

      8.75

      0.35

      0.9

      9

      2.12

      5.46

      0.75

      8.5

      0.35

      0.92

      9.5

      2

      5.33

      0.72

      8.15

      0.35

      0.82

      10

      2

      5.225

      0.8

      8.195

      0.35

      0.97

      10.5

      2

      4.7

      0.75

      7.8

      0.35

      1.1

      11

      2.1

      4.15

      0.75

      7.5

      0.35

      1.25

      11.5

      2.2

      3.75

      0.75

      7.25

      0.35

      1.3

      12

      2.25

      4.45

      0.75

      8

      0.35

      1.3

      12.5

      2.4

      4.1

      0.75

      7.8

      0.35

      1.3

      13

      2.6

      4.2

      0.785

      8.1

      0.35

      1.3

      13.5

      2.8

      4.4

      0.85

      8.5

      0.35

      1.3

      14

      2.9

      5.1

      0.9

      9.3

      0.35

      1.3

      14.5

      3

      6.05

      1

      10.4

      0.35

      1.35

      Graph 13: Step location Vs concrete cum/m for wall Ht. 15.0 m

      Graph 14: Step location Vs steel kg/m for wall Ht. 15.0m

    3. RESULTS AND DISSCUSSIONS

      1.Example

      The example of analysis and design of stepped cantilever retaining wall are given below.

      Data assumptions

      Data assumed for the stability calculation of stepped cantilever retaining wall:

        • Free Board not necessary

        • The backfill is enough compacted to develop necessary friction.

        • Bearing Capacity of soil: 30 0 KN per Square meter

        • Water level is much below the level of base and effect of soil moisture is ignored.

        • Dry density of soil: 18 KN per Cubic meter

        • Angle of internal friction: 300

        • Coefficient of friction: 0.60

        • Stability is checked for sliding and overturning.

        • Factor of safety against sliding = 1.5

        • Factor of safety against overturning = 2.0

      The moment and reinforcement provided for various heights are as shown in table

      1. Counter fort Retaining wall

        The structural analysis of counter fort Retaining wall is done as per routine analytical practices. Generally these walls a re use for span more than 6m, but here in order to compare the results analysis and design of these counter fort retaining walls is done for Heights 6m to 1 5m. The mechanism of this wall is different from cantilever wall and here Base slab is more important design aspect.

        Table 6: Dimensions of Counter fort Retaining Wall

        Ht of wall

        m

        Total Base Slab

        m

        Width of Toe Slab

        Width of Heel slab

        Base slab Thk.

        m

        Stem Thk. m

        Top

        Botm.

        6

        3.5

        0.3

        3.0

        0.28

        0.2

        0.2

        8

        4.25

        0.5

        3.45

        0.35

        0.3

        0.3

        10

        5.6

        1.0

        4.25

        0.45

        0.45

        0.35

        12

        7.75

        1.25

        6.05

        0.5

        0.45

        0.45

        15

        10.0

        2.75

        6.70

        0.77

        0.55

        0.55

        Counter fort Details

        Spacing

        4.0

        3.5

        3.0

        3.0

        3.0

        Thickness

        0.3

        0.375

        0.4

        0.45

        0.55

        T he a n a l ys i s o f B a s e s l a b fo r wa l l i s p r e s e n t e d i n t a b l e H e r e T o e s l a b i s d e s i g n e d a s c a nt i l e v e r s l a b s p a n ni n g f r o m s t e m. T h e up wa r d s o i l p r e s s ur e wi l l b e a c t a s ma j o r l o a d o n t o e s l a b . B ut t he he e l s l a b wi l l b e d e s i g ne d a s s i mp l y s up p o r t e d s l a b i n b e t w e e n t wo a d j a c e n t c o u n t e r fo r t s . S o me t i me s wh e n t o e p r o j e c t i o n i s l a r g e r a nd i f t he r e i s p o s s i b i l i t y o f s t r e s s r e ve r s a l i n s t e m, t he c o u n t e r fo r t s a r e a l s o p r o vi d e d o n t o e s l a b a t t ha t t i me T o e s l a b d e s i g n wi l l a l s o b e a s he e l s l a b d e s i g n . T h e ma j o r l o a d fo r he e l s l a b wi l l b e e f f e c t i ve l o a d fr o m a ve r a ge U p wa r d p r e s s ur e a nd R e t a i ne d s o i l l o a d o n h e e l s l a b .

        The base slab depth is provided as per required for maximum Bending Moment while reinforcement is provided as per actual requirement for Toe and Heel slab.

        Table 7: Structural Analysis of Counter -fort Retaining wall

        (Base slab)

        Height of

        wall m

        Bending moment (KN.m)

        Depth of base slab required mm

        Depth of base slab Provided mm

        Toe

        Heel

        6

        12.67

        158.98

        240.03

        400

        8

        47.58

        232.12

        290.00

        450

        10

        187.55

        419.80

        390.00

        550

        12

        288.36

        534.34

        440.00

        600

        15

        1152.18

        1391.32

        710.00

        850

        The reinforcement provided for base slab i.e. Toe slab and various locations is shown in table 8 .

        Table 8: Design of Base slab of counter fort retaining wall

        counter fort is done based on above assumptions. The Max. Depth of this cantilever beam is width of heel slab. The steel reinforcement is provided as per requirement for tensile stress induced in it due to soil load on stem.

        The moments and connection of counter for t details for various wall h eights are as shown in table 10

        8

        Ht. Of wall m.

        Base slab

        Thick. Mm

        Main Steel.

        Toe slab

        Heel slab

        Ast.

        mm2

        Bar Dia.

        & Spacing

        Ast.

        mm2

        Bar Dia.

        & spacing

        6

        400

        168.73

        10

        @150mm

        1172.70

        20

        @150mm

        450

        297.07

        12

        @150mm

        1538.54

        20

        @150mm

        10

        550

        981.27

        16

        @150mm

        2317.76

        25

        @150mm

        12

        600

        1399.52

        20

        @150mm

        2724.55

        25

        @150mm

        15

        850

        4183.46

        25

        @115mm

        5194.55

        32

        @150mm

        Table 10: Moment and Connections of counter fort with Heel

        Stem m

        Momen t

        Bar Dia. And

        Spacing

        Connections of counter fort with Heel Slab

        Hori zonta

        Bar Dia.

        Spacing of

        6

        864

        20

        @100m

        144

        8

        100mm

        8

        1792

        20

        @100m

        168

        8

        100mm

        10

        3000

        25

        @100m

        180

        10

        100mm

        12

        5184

        25

        @100m

        216

        10

        100mm

        15

        10125

        32

        @100m

        270

        12

        100mm

        slab

        The mechanism of stem o f counter fort retaining wall and Cantilever retaining wall is not same. In cantilever retaining wall, stem was acting as free cantilever with span equal height of wall while in counter fort, stem acts as simply supported slab spanning in between two adjac ent counter forts. The effective span for this will be span of counter fort along length of wall. The dimensions of stem are reduced due to this mechanism. The bending moment of the vertical wall is maximum at the junction of stem (wall) with Base and redu ces to the zero at the top of the wall.

        The moments and reinforcement provided for various heights are as shown in table 9

        Table 9: Moment and Reinforcement details a long length of stem for counter fort wall

        Ht. of wall m.

        Moments (KNm)

        Steel prov. In V ertical wall

        Stem Thic kness

        Dreq. Mm

        Dprov. mm

        Ast mm2

        Bar Dia. &

        Spacing

        6

        72

        161.51

        200

        1130.09

        10

        @70mm

        8

        73.5

        163.19

        300

        1736.00

        12

        @65mm

        10

        67.5

        156.39

        350

        552.52

        16

        @150mm

        12

        81

        171.31

        450

        510.83

        20

        @150mm

        15

        101.25

        191.53

        550

        520.35

        25

        @150mm

        The counter forts act as self -supporting structural elements for retaining wall. It takes reactions, both from the stem as well as Heel slab. The counter fort may be considered to bend as a cantilever, fixed at heel slab. The counter fort acts as an inverted T beam of varying rib depth. The structural analysis of

        The main stress along counter fort is tensile. The connection of counter fort with base slab and stem is important for all assumed mechanism. The steel reinforcement provided is in the form of two legged stirrups of required diameter steel. The saving in steel reinforcement can be done as per curtailment / Reduction in number of stirrups from bottom to top side of wall.

      2. Stepped Cantilever retaining wall

        The stepped cantilever wall is new type suggested in this thesis. Here concrete steps are provided on stem projecting into backfill. T he pressure compacted backfill will anchor the concrete plate/step and will develop frictional resistance force; this will act as indirect support for cantilever retaining wall. In short stem will act as propped cantilever and thus will reduce the destruct ive forces on stem / retaining wall.

        Table 11: Summary of Dimensions of Stepped Cantilever

        Retaining Wall

        Ht. Of wall

        m

        Total base slab

        m

        Width of Toe Slab

        M

        Width of

        Heel

        slab m

        Base slab Thk.

        m

        Stem

        Thickness

        Top

        Bot

        6

        2.85

        0.65

        1.9

        0.4

        0.2

        0.3

        8

        5.25

        0.95

        3.9

        0.4

        0.2

        0.4

        10

        6.5

        1.5

        4.4

        0.60

        0.25

        0.6

        12

        8.5

        1.65

        6.2

        0.65

        0.3

        0.65

        15

        10.5

        2.0

        7.3

        0.9

        0.5

        1.2

        Concrete Steps

        Total

        Spacing

        From

        Top

        Width

        m

        Depth

        m

        3.5

        2

        4.00

        0.45

        0.3

        4.5

        2

        6.0

        0.45

        0.5

        6.0

        2

        8

        0.6

        0.5

        6.0

        1.5

        8

        0.6

        0.65

        5.75

        1.25

        7.75

        0.75

        0.7

        There is reduced soil load on base slab of wall firstly due to decreased base slab width and secondly due to reduction in load of soil resting on concrete steps/plates in backfill. In this case of wall interestingly it was the case that, wall was stable at shorter dimensions but the stem was pulled inside backfill due to assumed frictional force hence the structural dimensions were not much reduced to keep balance between self weight and resisting forces.

        The forces acting and analysis and design of base slab for this new stepped cantilever retaining wall are as shown in Table12.

        Table 12: Structural Analysis of Stepped cantilever Retaining

        wall (Base slab)

        Ht. Of

        wall m.

        Bending moment

        (KNm)

        Thickness

        Required mm

        Thickness

        Provided mm

        Toe

        Heel

        6

        72.03

        105.00

        195.05

        400

        8

        205.34

        800.88

        538.68

        650

        10

        581.84

        987.57

        598.18

        750

        12

        656.00

        1112.92

        618.55

        800

        15

        979.98

        1553.13

        750.15

        900

        Table 13: Design of Base slab of Stepped cantilever Retaining wall

        Ht. of wall m.

        Base slab

        Thick. Mm

        Main Steel.

        Toe slab

        Heel slab

        Ast. mm2

        Bar Dia. & Spacing

        Ast. mm2

        Bar Dia. &

        Spacing

        6

        400

        505.63

        12

        @150mm

        741.68

        16

        @150mm

        8

        650

        887.99

        20

        @150mm

        3623.94

        25

        @135mm

        10

        750

        2217.81

        25

        @150mm

        3854.36

        32

        @150mm

        12

        800

        2343.51

        25

        @150mm

        4069.80

        25

        @150mm

        15

        900

        3130.30

        32

        @150mm

        5079.49

        36

        @150mm

        Ast.

        mm2

        960

        1560

        1800

        1920

        2160

        Bar Dia. &

        Spacing

        10

        @80 mm

        12

        @75 mm

        16

        @100

        mm

        16

        @100

        mm

        16

        @90 mm

        The R.C.C. steps / plates projecting in backfill are main key elements in this type of wall. The Resisting force developed due to these steps is function of depth of these steps below top of wall, surface roughness of concrete plates, degree of compaction of backfill and specific weight of backfill. The steps are developing frictional force due to their anchorage in backfill and steps are reinforce d with sufficient steel required for tensile stress developed in it due to pulling effect. Though these steps are standing as free cantilever in backfill, they will not be designed as cantilever as it is assumed as backfill is compacted.

        The details of forces acting and design of these concrete steps is as shown in Table 14

        Table 14: Concrete Step analysi s and design d etails

        Ht. of

        wall m

        Step

        Dimensions

        Location

        Width

        Depth

        Depth below Top

        In Fill Embed ment

        6

        0.4

        0.3

        4.0

        3.5

        8

        0.5

        0.3

        5.5

        4.5

        10

        0.6

        0.3

        6.5

        5.5

        12

        0.65

        0.4

        7.5

        6.5

        15

        0.7

        0.45

        9.5

        7.5

        Reinforcement Details

        Step

        spacing along

        length

        Frictional force

        developed

        Dia

        No

        12

        4

        2.0

        67.68

        12

        6

        2.0

        151.47

        12

        8

        2.0

        244.30

        12

        12

        1.5

        342.23

        16

        10

        1.25

        517.10

        In this type of wall the nature of moment variation will be similar as that of Cantilever retaining wall but there will be drastic change in moment at the point where concrete step is projected inside backfill. Up to this point the moment will be function of height of backfill but below this the moment will be algebraic sum of both resisting and destructive moments i.e. Destructive moment due to backfill and resisting moment of frictional force developed due to step.

        The steel reinforcement will be provided not only adhering to moment values but with also consideration to minimum steel quantities and Practical site considerations also.

        The table 15 and 16 shows the moment variation and steel reinforcement provided for this stepped cantilever wall

        Table 15: Moment Variation Alo ng length of stem for Stepped cantilever Wall

        6m

        8m

        10m

        Moment KNm

        D

        Prod Mm

        Moment KNm

        D

        Prod mm

        Moment KNm

        D

        Prod mm

        0-L/4

        3.375

        225

        8.0

        250

        15.63

        300

        L/4-

        L/2

        27.0

        250

        64.0

        300

        125

        400

        L/2-

        2L/3

        91.12

        275

        216.0

        450

        421.87

        600

        2L/3-

        L

        35.52

        300

        310.04

        550

        674.27

        750

        12m

        15m

        Moment KNm

        D

        Prod mm

        Moment KNm

        D

        Prod Mm

        0-L/4

        27.0

        350

        52.7

        400

        L/4-

        L/2

        216.0

        500

        421.9

        700

        L/2-

        2L/3

        729

        750

        1423.8

        1000

        2L/3-

        L

        1385.77

        1000

        2944.08

        1400

        Table 16: Reinforcement details along Height of stem

        Ht. of wall m.

        Moment (KNm)

        Steel prov. In Vertical wall

        Stem Thic kness

        Dreq. mm

        Dprov. mm

        Ast mm2

        Bar Dia. & Spacing

        6

        35.52

        138.94

        300

        500.82

        12

        @150mm

        8

        310.04

        410.49

        500

        2732.36

        20

        @115mm

        10

        674.27

        605.35

        700

        4274.66

        25

        @115mm

        12

        1385.77

        867.83

        950

        4238.38

        25

        @115mm

        15

        2944.08

        1264.93

        1350

        9803.36

        32

        @80mm

      3. Unit Cost per meter of wall

        1. Counter fort Retaining Wall:

          The cost of counter fort retaining wall includes cost of concrete for stem, counter fort and base slab is added, and the steel quantity is calculated from actual steel used with some provision for wastage also. For counter fort retainin g wall, the cost of wall is calculated for total spacing of counter forts and from this per meter cost of wall is calculated.

          The cost per running meter fr counter fort retaining wall for various retain h eights is as shown in table

          Table 17: Cost per Running Meter for Counter fort Retaining

          Ht. of wall

          6m

          8m

          Location

          Concrete m3

          Steel kg

          Concrete m3

          Steel kg

          Stem

          1.2

          76.08

          2.4

          137.6

          Base slab

          0.98

          66.16

          1.49

          80.08

          Counter Forts

          2.7

          137.2

          5.18

          234.05

          Total

          4.88

          279.44

          9.07

          451.73

          Rate

          3500

          43

          3500

          43

          Amount

          17080

          12015.9

          31745

          19424.39

          Sum

          29095.9

          51169.4

          29100

          51170

          10m

          12m

          15m

          Concrete m3

          Steel kg

          Concretem 3

          Steel kg

          Concrete m3

          Steel kg

          3.5

          156.8

          5.4

          251.52

          8.25

          439.7

          2.52

          139.86

          3.9

          229.82

          7.7

          475.28

          8.5

          527.98

          16.34

          765.5

          27.64

          1810.55

          14.52

          824.64

          25.64

          1246.84

          43.59

          2725.53

          3500

          43

          3500

          43

          3500

          43

          50820

          35459.5

          2

          89740

          53614.1

          2

          152565

          117197.79

          86279.52

          143354

          269763

          86280

          143360

          269770

        2. Stepped Cantilever Retaining Wall

          As like for counter fort retai ning wall, the cost of stepped cantilever retaining wall will be calculated firstly as per spacing of steps in backfill along length of wall and hence it is transferred to per meter cost. The construction practice for stepped cantilever wall will not be very special than cantilever wall hence except extra amount for backfill compaction, no any extra provision is made in cost calculation.

          Table 18: Cost per running meter for Stepped Cantilever

          Retaining Wall

          Ht. of wall

          6m

          8m

          Location

          Concrete m3

          Steel kg

          Concrete m3

          Steel kg

          Stem

          3

          142.78

          4.8

          476.72

          Base slab

          2.28

          84.91

          4.2

          370.71

          Steps

          0.25

          8.2

          0.39

          16.63

          Total

          5.53

          235.89

          9.39

          864.06

          Rate

          3500

          43

          3500

          43

          Amount

          19355

          10143.3

          32865

          37154.58

          Sum

          29498.3

          70019.58

          29500

          70000

          10m

          12m

          15m

          Concretem3

          Steel kg

          Concretem3

          Steel kg

          Concretem3

          Steel kg

          8.6

          972.2

          11.52

          602.65

          25.5

          1688.23

          7.8

          623.21

          8.29

          500

          11.8

          850.07

          0.55

          26.18

          0.9

          59.69

          1.2

          100.88

          16.95

          1621.59

          20.71

          1162.3

          38.5

          2639.18

          3500

          43

          3500

          43

          3500

          43

          59325

          69728.4

          72485

          49981

          134750

          113485

          129053

          122466

          248235

          129050

          122470

          248240

      4. Cost Comparison :

      The cost per meter for all these three proposed types is tabulated above. In table 19 the comparison of concrete quantity per meter for different wall heights and different wall types are shown.

      Wall Ht. m

      Counter fort wall

      Stepped Cantilever wall

      6

      4.88

      5.53

      8

      9.07

      9.39

      10

      14.52

      16.95

      12

      25.64

      20.72

      15

      43.59

      38.5

      Table 19: Comparison of Concrete for Different Walls

      Grapp6:Concrete Quantity Comparison

      Table 20: Steel reinforcement per meter of w all

      Wall Ht. m

      Counter fort wall

      Stepped Cantilever wall

      6

      279.44

      235.89

      8

      451.73

      864.96

      10

      824.64

      1621.59

      12

      1246.84

      1162.34

      15

      2725.53

      2639.18

      Graph 17: Reinforcement Qu antity Comparison

      The table 21 shows final cost comparison of all these wall type s for same heights and graph 18 showing variation.

      Wall Ht. m

      Counter fort wall

      Stepped Cantilever wall

      6

      29100

      29500

      8

      51170

      70000

      10

      86280

      129050

      12

      143360

      122470

      15

      269770

      248240

      Table 21: Final Cost Comparison

      Graph 18 : Final Cost Comparison

      [3]. At first instant, Stepped cantilever Retaining wall are economically best suited for wall heights from 11.0 M to 15.0 M. this is proving to be better alternative for large wall heights as more than

      11.0 M. Its mechanism is proven and used in many civil engineering structures.

      REFERENCES

      [1]. S.K Bhatia and R.M Baker, Difference between Cantilever and Gravity retaining walls under static condition, Indian Geotec hnical Journal, Vol.15, No.3, May 1985.

      [2]. Kaare Hoeg and Ramesh Murarka, Probabilistic Analysis and Design of a Retaining Wal , Journal of Geotechnical Engineering Division, Vol.100, March 1994.

      [3]. Swami Saran, Displacement Dependent Earth Pressure in Retaining Walls, Indian Geotechnical Journal, Indian Geotechnical Journal, Vol.20, July 1990.

      [4]. Leo Cassagrande, Comments on Conventional Design of Retaining Structures, Journal of the soil mechanics and foundation division, ASCE,, Vol.99, Feb2003.

      BIOGRAPHIES

      Prof. Dr.Patil S.S.

      It is clear from table that for heights from 8.0 M to 10.0 M counter fort retaining wall is giving economical results. Hence counter fort wall is better alternative for retaining heights up to 10.0 M. Other wall types may also be checked depending on actua l site conditions.

      The stepped cantilever is giving best result for height more than 10.0 M, from this height counter fort retaining walls are being uneconomical.

    4. CONCLUSIONS

[1]. Cantilever retaining walls are economically suited for wall heights up to 6.0 M and hence for height up to 6.0 M, no other alternative is necessary.

[2]. Counter fort retaining walls are suitable for retaining wall heights 8.0 M to 10.0 M for standard site conditions assumed. The other types of wall may also be tried for different site conditions.

B.E(Civil), M.E (Civil Structures), Ph.D.(B.U.Banglore), Chairman Indian Society of Structural Engineers Solapur Local Centre, Professor & Head of Civil Engineering Department, Walchand Institute of Technology, Ashok Chowk Solapur. (M.S) INDIA.

Mr. Bagban Aamir A.R

B.E (Civil), M.E (Civil Structures), M.E Student of Walchand Institute of Technology, Ashok Chowk Solapur (M.S) INDIA

Leave a Reply