Can Crest Toppling factor of safety be below 1.5 for retaining walls?

[Quest101]

Hello,

I am reviewing a retaining wall project which uses anchor wall software. I understand the minimum factor of safety for crest toppling is 1.5 (NCMA). In the report 1.5 falls under the “Default Minimum”, but the engineers are using different minimums ranging from 0.95 to 1.5 to design their walls. Why?

Would anyone be able to explain to me please why they would have used safety factors below 1.5 for some of their walls?
Leniency with crest toppling?

Thank you!
Tomas

 

[msquared48]

Do you mean overturning?

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[Quest101]

Hi Mike,
Thank you for your reply

Please see link where you will see crest toppling:

http://www.versa-lok.com/architect-engineer/specifications/engineering-methods

I have also uploaded a pic of the design input. Let me know if you get it.
Thank you,
Tomas

 

[TXStructural]

This discussion should move to the Earth Retention Forum since it is not really concrete engineering. You will have a different audience over there.