Design of retaining walls based on Eurocode 7 and BS standards

• Main Author: Tay, Guang Liang.
• Other Authors: Teh Cee Ing
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering::Geotechnical
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/53908
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Knowledge of retaining wall design, in this case specifically cantilever wall is essential for the construction in areas where ground retention is needed. Construction of retaining wall is often backfilled with sand due to the high friction angle and strength of the soil. However, backfilling can induce lateral pressures on the wall, which will affect the stability of the wall. In Eurocode 7, there is an introduction of partial factors for various actions and resistance acting on the cantilever wall. These forces will produce stabilizing effects as well. The project was carried out in a basis of identifying the mechanism that governs the failure of the wall. The mechanisms are namely, Base Sliding, Overturning about the toe of the wall and Bearing Capacity. The analysis also utilizes Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to identify the failure mechanism of the retaining structures design for a given wall base width. Satisfaction for all three mechanisms will also be achieved. A comparison of the retaining wall design between the newly introduced Eurocode 7 and British Standards will be carried out. Given the example in Eurocode 7, Chapter 9, there are limitations on the analysis method as the Overturning about the toe will never be the governing failure mechanism. This paper will present a detailed study of the above and provide a spreadsheet that can correctly and accurately gives solutions to retaining wall design. The limitations of the retaining wall study will also be discussed.