RETAINING WALLS - libvolume3.xyzlibvolume3.xyz/.../retainingwalls/retainingwallspresentation1.pdf · •Counterfort retaining walls ... Precast concrete retaining wall Manufactured

RETAINING WALLS

RETAINING WALL

� Basic function – to

retain soil at a slope

which is greater than

it would naturally

assume, usually at a

vertical or near

vertical position

� Retaining wall failure at the Shin-Kang Dam

Design of retaining wall

� retaining walls have primary function of retaining soils at an angle in excess of the soil’s nature angle of repose.

� Walls within the design height range are designed to provide the necessary resistance by either their own mass or by the principles of leverage.

� Design consideration:

1. Overturning of the wall does not occur

2. Forward sliding does not occur

3. Materials used are suitable

4. The subsoil is not overloaded

Factors which designer need to take account

� Nature and characteristics of the subsoil's

� Height of water table – the presence of water can create hydrostatic pressure, affect bearing capacity of the subsoil together with its shear strength, reduce the frictional resistance between the underside of the foundation

� Type of wall

� Materials to be used in the construction

� Failure of retaining wall (dam) due to water pressure..

Types of walls

• Mass retaining walls • Cantilever walls • Counterfort retaining walls

• Precast concrete retaining walls

• Precast concrete crib-retaining walls

Mass retaining walls

� Sometimes called gravity walls and rely upon their own mass together with the friction on the underside of the base to overcome the tendency to slide or overturn

� Generally only economic up to 1.8 m

� Mass walls can be constructed of semi-engineering quality bricks bedded in a 1:3 cement mortar or of mass concrete

� Natural stone is suitable for small walls up to 1m high but generally it is used as a facing material for walls over 1 m

Typical example of mass retaining walls

BRICK MASS RETAINING WALL

Brick retaining

wall

Stone retaining wall

Typical example of mass retaining walls

MASS CONCRETE RETAINING WALL

WITH STONE FACINGS

Cantilever walls

� Usually of reinforced concrete and work on the principle of leverage where the stem is designed as a cantilever fixed at the base and the base is designed as a cantilever fixed at the stem

� Economic height range of 1.2 m to 6 m using pre-stressing techniques

� Any durable facing material can be applied to the surface to improve appearance of the wall

Cantilever wall

� Two basic forms:-

• A base with a large heel

• A cantilever with a large toe

Cantilever L Cantilever T

Cantilever walls

Counterfort retaining walls

� Can be constructed of reinforced or prestressed concrete

� Suitable for over 4.5 m

� Triangular beams placed at suitable centres behind the stem and above the base to enable the stem and base to act as slab spanning horizontally over or under the counterforts

Precast concrete retaining wall

� Manufactured from high-grade pre cast concrete on the cantilever principle.

� Can be erected on a foundation as permanent retaining wall or be free standing to act as dividing wall between

heaped materials which it can increase three times the storage volume for any given area

� Other advantages- reduction in time by eliminating curing period, cost of formwork, time to erect and

dismantle the temporary forms

� Lifting holes are provided which can be utilized for fixing if required

application

Precast concrete retaining walls

Pre cast concrete crib-retaining walls

� Designed on the principle of mass retaining walls

� A system of pre cast concrete or treated timber components comprising headers and stretchers which interlock to form a 3 dimensional framework or crib of pre cast concrete timber units within which soil is retained

� Constructed with a face batter between 1:6 and 1:8

� Subsoil drainage is not required since the open face provides adequate drainage.