ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF RETAINING WALLS
PART I: ANALYSIS
PARAMETERS & FORMULAS:
γs = unit weight of soil (in kN/m3)
γc = unit weight of concrete (in kN/m3)
H = height of soil in active zone (in m)
D = height of soil in passive zone (in m)
c1’ = soil cohesion in active zone (in kN/m2)
c2’ = soil cohesion in passive zone (in kN/m2)
q = surcharge (in kN/m2)
Ø’ = soil friction angle (in degrees)
Ka = active earth pressure coefficient
Kp = passive earth pressure coefficient
Pa = active earth pressure (in kN/m)
Pp = passive earth pressure (in kN/m)
OM = overturning moment (in kN-m)
ΣMR = sum of stabilizing moments (in kN-m)
ΣRy = sum of resisting forces to sliding (in kN)
ΣRx = sum of forces causing sliding (in kN)
FSo = factor of safety against overturning
= (If FSo>2, the structure design is adequate and safe. Otherwise, it is neither.)
FSs = factor of safety against sliding
(If FSS>1.5, structure design is adequate and safe. Otherwise, it is neither.)
= ; *If Pa is inclined, use Ph= Pacosα
; k1, k2 = the value ranges from 1/2 to 2/3
(depends on what were given)
; B = depth of water table from the base of wall
Components of retaining wall
A. Factor of Safety Against Overturning
*Always consider 1-meter strip length of the retaining wall in computations.
STABILIZING
Vertical Forces (weight of concrete wall and soil) Moment Forces
Unit weight of soils Area, A Force, F Lever Moment, M
2
and concrete, γ (m ) (kN) arm, X (kN-m)
(kN/m3) (m)
F = γ x A x 1m M=FxX
W1 - - - - -
W2 - - - - -
W3 - - - - -
*If there is surcharge effect, include it to considerations
The value of a here is shown in the figure on the next page. It is the distance between
the heel point and the face of the wall
Surcharge, q Length of Force, F Lever Moment, M
(kN/m2) a (kN) arm, X (kN-m)
(m) (m)
F = q x a x 1m M=FxX
W4 - - - - -
Horizontal Forces (acted by passive lateral earth Moment Force
pressure)
Passive earth pressure, Pp Lever Moment, M
kN/m arm, X (kN-m)
*Use the formula for Pp (m)
M = Pp x X x 1m
- - -
TOTAL STABILIZING MOMENT = -
OVERTURNING
Active earth pressure, Pa Lever Moment, M
kN/m arm, X (kN-m)
*Use the formula for Pa (m)
M = PP x X x 1m
- - -
TOTAL OVERTURNING MOMENT = -
EXAMPLE #1
STABILIZING
Vertical Forces (weight of concrete wall and soil) Moment Forces
Unit weight of soils Area, A Force, F Lever Moment, M
and concrete, γ (m2) (kN) arm, X (kN-m)
(kN/m3) (m)
F = γA(1m) M = FX
W1 24 2.175 24x2.175x1=52.2 X1=1.85 M1=96.57
W2 24 3.9 24x3.9x1=93.6 X2=2.6 M2=243.36
W3 20 23.2 20x23.2x1=464 X3=3.6 M3=1670.4
*If there is surcharge effect, include it to considerations
Surcharge, q Length of Force, F Lever Moment, M
(kN/m2) a (kN) arm, X (kN-m)
(m) (m)
F = qa(1m) M = FX
W4 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Horizontal Forces (acted by passive lateral earth pressure) Moment Force
Passive earth pressure, Pp Lever Moment, M
kN/m arm, X (kN-m)
(m)
*Use the formula for Pp M = PpX(1m)
N/A N/A N/A
TOTAL Stabilizing Moment = 2010.33
OVERTURNING
Active earth pressure, Pa Lever Moment, M
kN/m arm, X (kN-m)
(m)
*Use the formula for Pa M = PaX(1m)
139.16 8/3 371.09
TOTAL Overturning Moment = 371.09
B. Factor of Safety Against Sliding
*Always consider 1-meter strip length of the retaining wall in computations.
FORCES RESISTANCE TO SLIDING
Vertical Forces
Unit weight of soils and Cross-sectional Force, F (kN)
concrete, γ Area, A F = γA(1m)
(kN/m3) (m2)
W1 - - -
W2 - - -
W3 - - -
*If there is surcharge effect, include it to considerations
Surcharge, q Length of a Force, F (kN)
(kN/m2) (m) F = q x a x 1m
W4 - - -
Horizontal Forces
Passive earth pressure, Pp (kN/m) Force, F (kN)
*Use the formula for Pp F = Pp x 1m
- -
TOTAL Resistance Forces = -
FORCES CAUSING SLIDING
Horizontal Forces
Active earth pressure, Pa (kN/m) Force, F (kN)
*Use the formula for Pa F = Pa x 1m
- -
TOTAL Driving Forces = -
EXAMPLE #2
FORCES RESISTANCE TO SLIDING
Vertical Forces
Unit weight of soils and Cross-sectional Force, F (kN)
concrete, γ Area, A F = γA(1m)
(kN/m3) (m2)
W1 24 2.175 24x2.175x1=52.2
W2 24 3.9 24x3.9x1=93.6
W3 20 23.2 20x23.2x1=464
*If there is surcharge effect, include it to considerations
Surcharge, q Length of a Force, F (kN)
(kN/m2) (m) F = q x a x 1m
W4 N/A N/A N/A
Horizontal Forces
Passive earth pressure, Pp (kN/m) Force, F (kN)
*Use the formula for Pp F = Pp x 1m
N/A N/A
TOTAL Resisting Forces = 609.8 kN
FORCES CAUSING SLIDING
Horizontal Forces
Active earth pressure, Pa (kN/m) Force, F (kN)
*Use the formula for Pa F = Pa x 1m
139.16 139.16
TOTAL Driving Forces = 139.16 kN
C. Minimum & Maximum Gross Foundation Pressure
TO COMPUTE:
Step 1: Determine position,
Step 2: Determine eccentricity, e
Step 3: Check eccentricity if it satisfies the limiting equation, e < B/6 to ensure adequacy
and safety. If not, then the structure design is inadequate and unsafe. The value of B, is the
length of the base of retaining wall in meters.
Step 4: Compute the maximum & minimum gross foundation pressure. The value of L, is equal
to 1 meter. Remember that only 1-meter strip length of retaining wall is being considered.
EXAMPLE #3
SOLUTIONS:
a.) Computing FSO
Step 1: Compute the weight of soil and concrete wall. Consider 1-meter strip length.
Step 2: Compute the distance between the centroid of each cross-sectional area and toe.
Step 3: Compute stabilizing moments due to surcharge, q, and passive earth pressure, Pp
- Neglect as necessary data are not provided
Step 4: Compute the total stabilizing moment, ΣMR
Step 5: Compute the total overturning moment, OM
Step 6: Check the factor of safety against overturning, FSo
b.) Computing FSS
Step 1: Compute the weight of soil and concrete wall. Consider 1-meter strip length. These
weights are considered as vertical resisting forces.
Step 2: Compute the resisting force due to surcharge, q, and passive earth pressure, Pp
- Neglect as necessary data are not provided
Step 3: Compute the total resisting forces, ΣRy
Step 4: Compute the total driving forces, ΣRX
Step 5: Check the factor of sa fety against sliding, FSS
c.) Computing qmax and qmin
Step 1: Determine pos ition,
Step 2: Determine eccentricity, e
Step 3: Check eccentricity if it satisfies the limiting equation, e < B/6 to ensure adequacy
and safety. If not, then the structure design is inadequate and unsafe. The value of B, is the
length of the base of retaining wall in meters.
Step 4: Compute the maximum & minimum gross foundation pressure. The value of L, is equal
to 1 meter. Remember that only 1-meter strip length of retaining wall is being considered.
3/31/2025
𝑊 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
0.458m 𝐻′
0.5m
𝑂𝑀 = 𝑃 ( )
3
7.158
𝑂𝑀 = 158.95( )
3
𝑊 𝑂𝑀 = 379.25𝑘𝑁. 𝑚/𝑚
𝑃 𝑊
𝑃
Σ𝑀
1 𝐹𝑆 = Σ𝑥∗𝑊
𝑃 = 𝐾 𝛾𝐻 𝑂𝑀
10 6.0m 2 1128.98
𝑃 1128.98
𝑊 1 𝐹𝑆 =
𝑃 = (0.350)(18) 7.158 379.25 Σ𝑊 = 470.75
2
𝐹𝑆 = 2.98
7.158
𝑊 𝑘𝑁
3
𝑚 𝑃 = 161.4
𝑚
2.6m
D=1.5m
0.2m 𝑃 = 𝑃 𝑐𝑜𝑠10
0.7m
𝑃 = 𝑃 𝑠𝑖𝑛10
𝐶 𝑘𝑁 𝑘𝑁
𝑃 = 28.03 𝑃 = 158.95
𝑚 𝑚
0.7m 0.7m
4.0m
𝑊
0.458m
0.5m 1
𝑃 = 𝐾 𝛾 𝐷 + 2𝑐 ′ 𝐾 𝐷
2 Σ𝑅 tan(𝑘 ∅ ) + 𝐵𝑘 𝑐 + 𝑃
𝐹𝑆 = > 1.5
𝑃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼
∅
𝐾 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 (45 + ) 2 2
2 470.75 tan( ∗ 20 ) + (4)( )(40) + 215
𝑊 20 𝐹𝑆 = 3 3 > 1.5
𝑊
𝐾 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 (45 + ) 158.95
𝑃 𝑃 2
𝐾 = 2.04
Σ𝑥∗𝑊
1 𝐹𝑆 = 2.73 > 1.5
10 6.0m 𝑃 = (2.04)(19) 1.5 + 2(40) 2.04(1.5) 1128.98
𝑃 2
𝑊
𝑘𝑁 Σ𝑊 = 470.75
𝑃 = 215.0
𝑚
𝑊
7.158
𝑚
3
2.6m
D=1.5m
0.2m
0.7m
0.7m 0.7m
4.0m
