4

2.0 Conventional Retaining Walls

2.1 Overall Stability
Investigate Service 1 load combination using an appropriate resistance factor. In
general, the resistance factor, , may be taken as;

- 0.75 - where the geotechnical parameters are well defined, and slope does not
support or contain a structural element.

- 0.65 ! where the geotechnical parameters are based on limited information or the
slope contains or supports a structural element.

2.2 Bearing Resistance
Investigate bearing resistance at the strength limit state using appropriate factored
loads and resistances as described below.

2.2.1 Wall Supported on Soils

The vertical stress shall be calculated assuming a uniformly distributed
pressure over an effective base area.

e B
V
v
2
E
= o (11.6.3.2-1)










Figure 4
5
2.2.2 Wall Supported on Rocks
If the resultant force is within the middle third of the base;
) 6 1 (
max
B
e
B
V
V
+
E
= o
(11.6.3.2-2)
) 6 1 (
min
B
e
B
V
V

E
= o
(11.6.3.2-3)

If the resultant force is outside of the middle third
of the base;
] )
2
[( 3
2
max
e
B
V
V

E
= o
(11.6.3.2-4)
0
min
=
V
o (11.6.3.2-5)
Figure 5


2.2.3 Soil Bearing Resistance

n b R
q q | = (10.6.3.1.1-1)



w m wq qm f cm n
C BN g C N D g cN q 5 . 0 + + = (10.6.3.1.2a-1)
Where: g = gravitational acceleration (ft/sec
2
)
c = cohesion
N
cm
= N
c
s
c
i
c
, bearing capacity factor for cohesion
N
qm
= N
q
s
q
d
q
i
q
, surcharge bearing capacity factor
N
m
= N

, unit weight bearing capacity factor

= total (moist) unit weight of soil above or below the bearing depth of the
footing.


D
f
= footing embedment depth (ft)
B = footing width (ft)
C
wq
,C
w
= correction factors for water table
s
c
,s

,s
q
= footing shape correction factors
d
q
= correction factor for shear resistance along the failure surface passing
through cohesionless materials above the bearing elevation.
i
c
,i

i
q
= load inclination factors
Figure 5
6

n
f
q
cBL V
H
i
(
(

+
=
| cot
1 (10.6.3.1.2a-7)

1
cot
1
+
(
(

+
=
n
f
cBL V
H
i
|

(10.6.3.1.2a-8)
u u
2 2
sin
1
2
cos
1
2
(
(

+
+
+
(
(

+
+
=
L
B
L
B
B
L
B
L
n (10.6.3.1.2a-9)
All these factors can be found in Article 10.6.3.1.2 of the Interim AASHTO 2006 LRFD
Specifications.

2.3 Overturning or Eccentricity (Article 11.6.3.3)
For foundations on soil, the resultant of the reaction pressure distribution shall be
located within the middle one-half of the base width.
For foundations on rock, the resultant of the reaction pressure distribution shall be
located within the middle three-fourths of the base width.

2.4 Sliding
Check spread footing against sliding in accordance with the provisions of Article
10.6.3.4. Passive resistance of soil in front of walls used in stability computation shall be
carefully evaluated accounting for possible future excavations, either temporary or permanent,
and/or long term erosion, etc.
For clayey soils beneath the footing, Q
R
, against failure by sliding is:
R
R
=

+
ep
R
ep
(11.6.3.4-1)
where:

= Resistant factor for shear resistance between soil and foundation specified in
Table 10.5.5.2.2-1
R

= Nominal shear resistance between footing and foundation material (ton); and
R
ep
= Nominal passive resistance of foundation material available throughout the
design life of the footing (ton). [
p p
2
p
K H c 2 K H P + = ]

ep
= 0.5, Table 10.5.5.2.2-1
If the soil beneath the footing is cohesionless, then: