Analysis of Retaining Walls Under Vertical & Lateral Loads

RetWall
Sheet

Analysis Options

Retaining Wall Subjected to Earth and other Loads

Data Store Worksheet for Retaining Walls

Documentation
3

Template Features

User Notes

Notations

Terms and Conditions of Use

Revision History

Data Storage Note

At present data can be stored for 200 wall analyses. Using the Store
Reference Numbers 1001 to 1200, this data can be retrieved & modified.
Additional data rows in multiples of 10 can also be added and or deleted
to suit design needs. Two click buttons in the header of worksheet "Store"
can be used for this purpose.
RetWall20090128

File: RetWall20090128-.xlt Tab: Home

2009 Dr Shaiq Khan, Techno Consultants Ltd

Date Printed: 05/02/2009

 2009 Techno Consultants

DGP International

RetWall20090128
Non-registered copy

Brunel House, 54 Princesses Street

Manchester M1 6HS
Tel : 0161 907 3500

Project:
Client:
Element:

Example
Book

Made by

Date

SURK

22 February 2005

Checked

Page No

Job No

Retaining Wall

Retaining Wall Under Earth Pressure & Other Loads

Retaining Wall Store No: 1003

Title: Reinforced Concrete Council

Safety Factors Against

Surcharge, Sc

10 kN/m2

Parapet Height, Hp

0m

Np

Point Load acting over width b

Nw
Distance, d2

Wall Height, H

2.95 m

Distance, d1

0m

0.3 m

Width, b

10 m

Wall Bot Thickness, T2

0.3 m

Base Thickness, Tb

0.3 m

Heel Length, L

2.5 m

Toe Length, Lt

1.2 m

Front fill Height, Hf

0m

Nib Height, Hn

0m

20 kN/m3

Allowable Pressure, pa
Coefficient of Friction

200 kN/m2

Hp

Angle of Repose

30Deg
10 kN/m3

Water-table depth, Hw

1.75 m

L
Heel

Toe

Hf
Tb

p4

Hn
where Sin= 0.5

Pressure

Hw

T2

Lt

p5

p1

Ln

Tn

p6
p2

p7
p3

Base Overall Length= 4 m

Sliding Force & Overturning Moment About Point A

Overturning Item

1.6

Fs1, Fs2
Water Table

Coefficient of active pressure ka is:

ka=(1- Sin)/(1+ Sin)=
0.3333
Coefficient of passive pressure kp is:
kp=(1- Sin)/(1+ Sin)=
3.0000

1.4

Imposed

d/1.2

0.45

Water Density, Ww

d
Surcharge, Sc kN/m2

1.4

Water

Soil

24 kN/m3

Earth density, We

Earth

Surcharg

Wall & Base Density, Wc

1.5
1.75

Load Factors (RC Design)

Wall

0m
0m

0m

Sliding
Overturning

Point, Line Load

Np,Nw kN

T1

Nib Only

53.3 kN/m

Nib

Nib Thickness, Tn
Nib Lateral Location, Ln

Passive Earth:

Line Load, Nw kN /m

0 kN

Wall Top Thickness, T1

Soil Pressure p2

Revision

012345901 A12 R9

Water

Company:
Address:

Wall cg from its earth face = 0.15 m

Sliding Force

Height

Moment

21.667 kN/m2

35.208 kN

1.083 m

Water Pressure p3

5.833 kN/m2

5.104 kN

0.583 m

2.977 kNm

Surcharge Pressure p1

3.333 kN/m2

10.833 kN

1.625 m

17.604 kNm

Point Load Force, Fs1

38.142 kNm

0.000 kN

3.250 m

0.000 kNm

Line Load Force Fs2

17.767 kN

3.250 m

57.742 kNm

Total Lateral Force, Fa kN

68.913 kN

116.466 kN

Stabilising Moment About Point A & Eccentricity Moment About Mid Base
Stabilising

Load from

Item

Elements, P

About Point A
Distance

About Mid Base

Moment

Distance

Moment

Weight of Wall

21.240 kN

1.350 m

28.674 kNm

0.650 m

Weight of Base

28.800 kN

2.000 m

57.600 kNm

0.000 m

0.000 kNm

Weight of Earth

147.500 kN

2.750 m

405.625 kNm

-0.750 m

-110.625 kNm

25.000 kN

2.750 m

68.750 kNm

-0.750 m

-18.750 kNm

0.000 kN

1.500 m

0.000 kNm

0.500 m

0.000 kNm

53.300 kN

1.500 m

79.950 kNm

0.500 m

Surcharge
Point Load at d1
Line Load at d2

275.840 kN

640.599 kNm

13.806 kNm

26.650 kNm
-88.919 kNm

Check for Overturning About Point A:

Loading
Condition

Moments, kNm
Overturning

Earth Only
All Loads

Factor

Stabilising

Analysis Formulae Source:

Table 20, "Pressure due to
Surcharge", RC Designer's
Handbook, 10th Edition,
Charles E Reynolds and
James C Steedman, 1988

Check

Safety

Result

38.142 kNm

491.899 kNm

12.90

>1.75, Hence OK

116.466 kNm

640.599 kNm

5.50

>1.75, Hence OK

Ground Bearing Pressure:

Lateral Loading Moment

-88.919 kNm

Vertical Loading Moment

116.466 kNm

Total Moment

P/A

M/Z
68.96

Wall Diagram Showing Levels of

Back Fill, Front Fill & Water

10.32998438

27.547 kNm

Max Pressure = P/A + M/z

79.290 kN/m2 < 200, Hence OK

Min Pressure = P/A - M/z

58.630 kN/m2 < 200, Hence OK

Loading Applied
Base in compression

Surcharge: 10 kN/m2

Check for Sliding:

Active Earth: Yes

Resistance Item

Pressure

Height

Force

Top Passive Pressure p4

0.000 kN/m2

0m

0.000 kN

Bot Passive Pressure p5

0.000 kN/m2

0m

0.000 kN

Total Nib resistance =

0.000 kN

Frictional Resistance= 0.450*275.840 =

124.128 kN

Total resistance against sliding =

The factor of safety against sliding is = 124.128 / 68.913 =

Water: Yes
Point Load: Nil
Line Load: 53.3 kN/m
Passive Earth: Nil

124.128 kN
1.8012

> 1.5, Hence OK

Factored Design Shear & Moment at Wall & Base Junction

Lateral Load Item

Pressure

Load factor

Lateral Force

Height

Moment

Soil Pressure p6

19.667 kN/m2

1.4

40.612 kN

0.983 m

Water Pressure p7

4.833 kN/m2

1.4

4.906 kN

0.483 m

39.935 kNm
2.371 kNm

Surcharge Pressure p1

3.333 kN/m2

1.6

15.733 kN

1.475 m

23.207 kNm

Point Load at d1

1.6

0.000 kN

2.950 m

0.000 kNm

Line Load at d2

1.6

28.427 kN

2.950 m

83.859 kNm

89.678 kN

Moment:

149.371 kNm

Shear:
File: RetWall20090128-.xlt Tab: Retaining_Wall

Date Printed: 05/02/2009

Analysis of Retaining Walls Under Vertical & Lateral Loads

Features of RetWall
RetWall is an Excel spreadsheet for the analysis of Retaining Walls subjected to lateral and vertical loads. Using
its analysis results, the wall stem and its base can be sized to have adequate stability and strength for resisting
applied loads.
RetWall helps save design time by avoiding cumbersome hand calculations. It does not aim to predict the real
behaviour which may differ from that generally assumed in routine calculations. RetWall is therefore a tool to
complement the design steps for sizing and detailing such structures.
Features

A wall diagram is included showing its shape and levels of back fill, front fill and water. This permits check of
input data at a glance.

Wall thickness can be uniform or varying with its front face tapered.

A parapet above the earth surface can be included in the analysis.

To improve resistance against horizontal sliding, a nib below the base slab can be provided.

Surcharge can be applied above the soil surface.

Water table height can be specified to include the influence of water pressure.

A line load of Nw kN/m length above the soil surface can be applied.

A point load of Np in kN acting over a width b m can be applied.

Partial load factors and Factors of Safety against sliding and overturning can be specified to suit design needs.

Angle of repose in degrees is specified to calculate coefficient of active pressure ka and the coefficient of
passive pressure kp.

Coefficient of friction is specified to calculate sliding resistance.

A summary of loads is displayed to show loads included in the analysis at a glance.

An easy to use database facility is included within the template file. Data for more than 3000 different retaining
walls and or loading cases can be stored in a single Excel file.

The Data is kept in the worksheet STORE that is visible to the user. Using the spreadsheet features of Excel,
data in this file can be generated for new walls and or modified for existing ones.

The template has virtually no user interface. The printed Output matches the Screen Display. Knowing how to
use Excel and the ability to verify results as a designer is sufficient for using RetWall.

Shaded cells in the spreadsheet signify User-Input and un-shaded cells signify Spreadsheet-Results. This
permits easy checking at a glance by the users and the checkers of the RetWall output.
2009 Dr Shaiq Khan, Techno Consultants Ltd

RetWall20090128

File: RetWall20090128-.xlt Tab: Features

Page 1/1

Date Printed: 05/02/2009

Analysis of Retaining Walls Under Vertical & Lateral Loads

Notes for Using

RetWall
An Excel Template for the Analysis of Retaining-Walls by
Dr Shaiq U.R. Khan
BEng (Civil), MEng, PhD, PE, CEng, FIStructE

January 2009
Techno Consultants Ltd
www.technouk.com
Introduction
RetWall is essentially an analysis tool. It can be used for the design of reinforced concrete, masonry
and gabion retaining walls.
RetWall is not meant to predict the real retaining wall behaviour. It is a tool that helps save time when
designing such structures by conventional methods and producing documentation for records and
presentation.
Influence of water table within the retained material can be included. However no allowance is made
for buoyancy of the base when it is submerged.
The stability checks are based on unfactored loads. When calculating the required shear & moment
resistance at base of the wall, factored loads are used. If required for permissible stress design, the
load factor values can be made equal to unity.
Where it is necessary to improve the sliding resistance, a retaining wall can have a nib beneath its
base. This nib is considered effective when the wall slides. It is assumed to play no part in the
prevention of overturning or influencing ground pressures. The total resistance against sliding of the
wall is taken as the frictional resistance plus the passive earth resistance against the nib face.

Method of Use
The use of the spreadsheet is self explanatory. Input data cells are shaded green. The data input for
wall design is via the change in contents of these green cells.
The design data can be stored in the worksheet Store for more than say 3000 walls, as required.
Two buttons in the header of worksheet "Store" allow the addition and deletion of data rows.
Starting from a minimum of 200 walls, data rows are added and or deleted in multiples of 10 and up to
1000 rows at a time. To add more than 1000 rows, the add row step can be repeated.
The worksheet Retaining_Wall has buttons to allow retrieval of the stored data. Relevant buttons at
the top of this worksheet can be clicked to store, retrieve, display-next or display-previous wall data.
A data reference number starting from 1001 upwards is used for each wall data. This data can be
recalled, amended and or re-stored later for any wall by the use of this reference number.
The data store facility can also be used for analysing as many loading cases as required. To do so,
save wall data for each load case. Click relevant buttons at top of the spreadsheet to store, retrieve,
display-next or display-previous retaining wall data.
When familiarity has been gained, data in the worksheet "Store" can be modified directly for ease and
Auto Analysis of all walls. This worksheet includes columns which summarize the usage levels and
status for each member. Overstressed members can be identified at a glance.

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Wall Diagram
A wall diagram is included in the screen display and printed output. Using the data input by the user,
this diagram shows shape of the wall and levels of back fill, front fill and water.
The diagram permits instant check of input data for wall geometry and various material levels being
used in the analysis..
Auto Analysis and or Paper Printing of Results
A facility via worksheet "Store" provides an option to analyse and or print the analyses of all wall by a
single click of the Auto Analyse/Print Button.
To use this facility, there are two rightmost columns (coloured yellow) in the worksheet Store. One
column is headed Analyse Y? and the other Print Y?. An Auto Analyse/Print Button is also
located at the top of these two columns.
Entering Y in these two columns signifies that the wall analysis in the row needs analysing and or its
results printing. Leaving the cells blank signifies that the respective wall is not to be analysed and or
printed.
This auto facility is useful when all or a selected few walls are to be analysed and or printed after
corrections to the design data e.g. changes in height, thicknesses, fill height, etc.
These changes can be made directly in the worksheet STORE; this however requires a good
understanding of the stored data. Caution is therefore necessary for obtaining valid results and to
avoid fouling of the stored data.
Load Summary
RetWall involves application of various loads in its analysis. To help ensure that all intended loads
have been applied, a load summary table is included in the screen display and printed output. In a
design check processes this table shows all loads included in the analysis at a glance.
Stability Check
Stability checks comprise calculations for safety factors against overturning and sliding. No load
factors are used in these checks. Instead, the calculated and required factors are compared to
indicate the extent of wall stability.
The fill on the external face of the wall is ignored for its vertical loading.
The presence of surcharge, point and line loads may enhance wall stability against overturning. To
ensure that a critical case is not missed, two overturning checks are carried out. One with earth loads
only and the other including surcharge, point and line loads that may have been applied.
The influence of nib is ignored when checking overturning. This is a conservative assumption as
passive pressure on the rear nib face resists overturning and is ignored.
Lateral Loads
The influence of Surcharge, Earth, Water, Line & Point Loads is to exert lateral pressure on the wall.
When these loads are not present, their values are input as zero.
The formulae used for calculating the magnitude of these loads are shown below via sketches.

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Active, Passive & At-rest Pressures

Active pressure is associated with lateral expansion of the soil and is a minimum value.
Passive pressure is associated with lateral compression of the soil and is a maximum value.
When the lateral strain in the soil is zero, the lateral pressure is known as pressure at-rest. This
pressure has not been used in this template. It is generally used in the design of basement walls,
culverts, etc.
The equations for the earth pressure coefficients ka for active and kb for passive are shown in the
screen display & the printed output.

Surcharge, Sc

h1
Water Table

ka Sc

ka Ws y

Hw

Water

Soil

y
Surcharge

Wall

Analysis Formulae
Source:
Table 20, "Pressure due
to Surcharge", RC
Designer's Handbook,
10th Edition, Charles E
Reynolds and James C
Steedman, 1988

(Ww - ka Ws) (y-h1)

Pressures due to Surcharge, Earth & Water

Line Load Nw
d

per unit length of wall,

may be ineffective if beyond B
B
1.2 H

d/1.2
Fs = ka Nw
per unit length of wall

Wall

Wheel Load distance:

The design N kN wheel load acts
at a closest distance to wall face
given by:
d = kerb width + load-width b/2 For
example:
d = 600 + 200/2 = 700 mm

Lateral Force due to a Line Load, Np

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Point Load Np
d

(may be ineffective if
beyond B)
B

1.2 H

Wall

Fs = ka Np / (d+b/2)<= Ka Np
per unit length of wall

d/1.2
H

Lateral Force due to a Point Load, Np

Centroid of Wall Section
The wall can have its front face vertical or tapered. Its sectional area is given by:
Area = ( H + Hp ) * (T1+T2) / 2
The location of its centroid from the earth vertical face is given by:
Wall cg = [ T1 2 + T1 * T2 + T22 ] / [3*(T1 + T2)]
In masonry and gabion walls, the wall front face could be stepped. This can be represented in the
template by a wall taper producing matching area and centroid.
Passive Earth Pressure - Sliding Check
Passive earth pressure is assumed to act only when the wall slides. In all other calculations, this
pressure is ignored.
A nib provided below the base slab assists when the retaining wall slides. The height of passive
pressure that may exist above the nib can be selected from the following pull-down option list:
Nib Only,

Nib+Toe,

Nib+Toe+Fill

In practice, the passive pressure should only be considered if it can be guaranteed that there will be no
future excavation in front of the wall.
Reinforcement in Retaining Walls
Any reinforcement that may be required in the retaining wall is not calculated. In fact a wall can be
mass concrete or masonry.
Lateral shear and moment values at base of the retaining wall are however calculated. These are
factored values using load factors input by the user. They can be used to calculate the reinforcement
required at junction of the wall and its base.
To calculate reinforcement required in the base and at other locations of the retaining wall, further
calculations may be necessary. To this end, the calculated ground pressure values are available for
use. These ground pressure value are however not factored. In a limit state design, these pressure
values can be multiplied by appropriate load factors.

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Effective Height of Retaining Walls for Deflection Checks

RetWall does not check deflection. Subtle aspects of using of BS8110-1: 1997 are however discussed
for guidance when the wall construction is reinforced concrete.
Considering the wall as a cantilever subjected to lateral loads, the basic span to effective depth ratio is 7
as per clause 3.4.6.3 and Table 3.9 of the code.
This basic ratio can be enhanced for the influence of reinforcement provided in the wall using clauses
3.4.6.5 and 3.4.6.6 of BS8110-1 noted as below.
The use of clause 3.4.6.3 may appear onerous to some designers. Hence, they may instead consider
using Clause 3.9.3.3 of the code.
As per Clause 3.9.3.7.2, the slenderness ratio le/h should not exceed that given in Table 3.23.
Considering that the wall is unbraced and that a minimum reinforcement of 0.13% to Clause 3.12.5 has
been provided, the maximum permitted value of le/h can be up to 30.
Care needs to be exercised in the choice of wall effective height in the range 7 to 30 times its depth.
The effective height implied in the code is actual height when using Clause3.4.6.3 for a cantilever wall
and 2 times the actual height when using Clause 3.9.3.3 for an unbraced wall.

Assumptions & Limitations

Wall friction is zero. This could be significant for walls exceeding 3.5 m in height.
Backfill soil is a granular cohesionless material.
Rotational slide or slope failure is not investigated.
Effect of ground water seepage beneath the wall is not checked.
Deflection of the wall due to lateral pressure is not checked.
All loads are considered to be static. Dynamic loads and vibrations are not covered.
Sliding check assumes that passive pressure acts without movement.
Self weight of fill on external face of the wall is ignored.
When calculating bearing pressures, "No Tension" equilibrium check using triangular stress block is
not carried out. When resultant is outside the middle third, the base may have tension i.e. negative
pressure. Base Tension is flagged by a Note in red in the display & out.

Stability & Sliding Ratios for Design

When designing retaining walls, minimum stability ratios are specified and used for checks against
Stability and Sliding. As a guide and example, the stability ratios used in one project are noted below for
reference purposes.
Design Conditions
Erection
Test
Operating
Shutdown

Stability Ratios
1.6
1.6
1.75
1.75

Sliding Ratios
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6

References
1) Reinforced Concrete Designer's Handbook, 10th Edition, Charles E Reynolds & James C Steedman,
1988

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Analysis of Retaining Walls Under Vertical & Lateral Loads

Notations
b
Width of point load, m
d, d1, d2 Horizontal distance of point load d1 or line load d2 from wall face, m
Lateral force due to a point load acting at the vertical distance d/1.2 from fill top
Fs1
Fs2

Lateral force due to a line load acting at the vertical distance d/1.2 from fill top

h
h1
H
Hf
Hn
Hp
Hw

L
Le
Ln
Lt
Np
Nw
pa
Sc
T1
T2
Tb
Tn
u
Wc
We
Ww

overall section depth

Water table depth below the soil surface, h1
Wall Height from top of the base heel/toe to top of the soil surface level, m
Front fill Height above the base slab soffit, m
Nib Height below the base slab soffit, m
Parapet Height above the soil surface level i.e. above height H, m
Water Table level above the base slab soffit, m
Angle of Repose in degrees
Heel Length
effective height of wall for deflection check purposes
Nib Location from right toe edge to right nib edge, m
Toe Length, m
Point load acting at distance d from wall face and over width b
Line load acting at distance d from the wall face, kN
Allowable ground bearing pressure, kN/m2
Surcharge Loading in kN/m2
Wall Top Thickness at H+HP level (soil or parapet if present), m
Wall Bot Thickness at top of heel, m
Base Thickness, m
Nib Thickness, m
Coefficient of Friction
Wall & Base Density, kN/m3
Earth density, kN/m3
Water Density, kN/m3

2009 Dr Shaiq Khan, Techno Consultant

Wall20090128

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Analysis of Retaining Walls Under Vertical & Lateral Loads

Terms & Conditions of RetWall Use

Disclaimer
No Liability is accepted by Techno Consultants or its software authors for any direct, indirect,
consequential or incidental loss or damage arising out of the software use or any mistakes and
negligence in developing this software. The organisation or person using the software bears all
risks and responsibility for the quality and performance of the software.
Your Usage
The software is intended to help you save time and effort in calculations. Please check
and validate all results carefully. You are responsible and liable for all consequences of its
use.
Software Distribution Policy
This product is being distributed as a part of our policy to pool, share and grow technical
expertise with fellow engineers. In the past we did so by using personal and direct business
contacts. Availability of the Internet, now makes it possible to pool and share expertise with
engineers all over the world.
You can freely use this product for your personal or business design work. This product
however remains our copyright. You may also reproduce and distribute it provided that each
copy shall be a true and complete copy, including all copyright and trademark notices and
that such distribution shall not be for commercial purposes.
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We welcome funds to help our Research and Development work. You are welcome to make
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The fee for formal registration is 45.00. Add 17.5 percent VAT for registrations based in the
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Email: shaiq@technouk.com

2009 Dr Shaiq Khan, Techno Consultants Ltd

RetWall20090128

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