counterfort CMU retaining wall design - does anyone do this?

[hsustersic]

Has anyone ever designed or seen counterfort retaining walls using CMU?

I have a situation that calls me to consider this as an option, but there appear to be very limited resources on the topic. I am mostly concerned about cracking in the vicinity of the tension tie - any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[cap4000]

I have only done two in concrete. CMU I have never seen and have been in the business for 32 years.

 

[BAretired]

No reason that I can see why it cannot be done in masonry, although I don't offhand remember seeing it done.

BA

 

[shobroco]

I have seen a few, all of which have performed poorly. The issue with the ones I have seen is frost: masonry can't handle being wet & freezing. If the joints don't fail the units themselves do. If you are in an area that freezes, I don't think you should consider it.

 

[bridgebuster]

I could see this type performing poorly considering how much cutting of the CMU would be required to properly position the diagonal bars. The finished product was probably very sloppy looking.

 

[BAretired]

I would not use diagonal bars and would not cut masonry. All cells would be filled with concrete. Bars would be both horizontal and vertical. See Fig 13-2 in the following link:

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...ounterfort retaining walls in masonry&f=false

BA

 

[hsustersic]

Thank you all for your responses and comments. We were able to reinforce our diaphragm at the supports to allow the floor slab to truely brace this retaining wall at the top and eliminate the need for counterforts.