A method for the design of embedded cantilever retaining walls under static and seismic loading

Abstract

A simple-to-use method is proposed for the design of embedded cantilever retaining walls in cohesionless soils under static and seismic conditions. Taking into account the displacement pattern generally exhibited by this type of structure, which consists of an approximately rigid rotation around a point located close to the wall base, it is assumed that active and passive pressures are fully mobilised up to a certain depth from the excavation level. Below this depth, a simplified distribution of earth pressure is considered, with values that are not predetermined by limit state. Analytical expressions are provided to calculate readily the net pressures acting on the wall and the associated internal forces arising in the structure. Comparisons are made with numerical and experimental results concerning embedded cantilever retaining walls under static and seismic conditions. In all the cases considered, a fairly good agreement is found between these results and those predicted by the proposed method. Some aspects of the behaviour of embedded cantilever retaining walls are also highlighted.