Example Problems

Example Problem 1: A gravity retaining wall has a height $H=6m$ and a base width $B=4m$. The total weight of the wall is $W = 500 \, kN/m$ acting at $x=1.5m$ from the toe. The active earth pressure force is $P_a = 150 \, kN/m$ acting horizontally at $H/3 = 2m$ above the base. Check the Factor of Safety against Overturning.

Example Problem 2: A cantilever retaining wall has an overall height of $6 \, m$. The overturning moment is $450 \, kN \cdot m/m$. The total vertical weight is $520 \, kN/m$, acting at a distance of $1.8 \, m$ from the toe. The ultimate bearing capacity of the soil is $600 \, kPa$, and the base width is $3 \, m$. Determine the factor of safety against overturning and the maximum bearing pressure at the toe.

Example Problem 3: A mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall $5 \, m$ high is constructed using metallic strip reinforcements. The granular backfill has a unit weight of $18 \, kN/m^3$ and an active earth pressure coefficient of $0.26$. The reinforcement strips are located at a vertical spacing of $0.5 \, m$ and horizontal spacing of $1.0 \, m$. Calculate the maximum tensile force developed in a single reinforcement strip located at a depth of $4.0 \, m$.