Mobilisable strength design for flexible embedded retaining walls

Abstract

Soil–structure interaction may have an important influence on the behaviour of embedded retaining
walls, affecting both wall bending moments and ground movements. However, it can be difficult and
time consuming to capture in design, especially in a way that gives a physical insight into the key
behavioural mechanisms involved. A calculation procedure has been developed for retaining walls
propped near the crest that takes into account both the non-linearity of the stress–strain behaviour of
the soil and the flexibility of the wall. Results for different pore water pressure conditions, soil
strengths and soil and wall stiffnesses are presented in the form of look-up charts, and are compared
with those derived from factored limit equilibrium analyses. A dimensionless parameter is introduced
to represent the relative soil–wall stiffness, and its importance is demonstrated. A critical flexibility
ratio is identified at which the bending moments start to reduce below those given by a conventional
limit equilibrium calculation. This ratio is linked to the wall deflection, and is used to distinguish a
stiff from a flexible system in soils of different strengths and pore water pressure conditions. The
approach is discussed in relation to previous studies.

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Identifiers

ORCID for W. Powrie: orcid.org/0000-0002-2271-0826

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