Lateral Earth pressure

[StructuralMike]

Looking for advice on how to best design a cantilever retaining wall with a foundation up high on the retained side. The load is a strip load that is perpendicular to the wall. Text books provide guidance for when the loading is isolated or parallel with the wall.

 

[JAE]

Wouldn't it be like a concentrated load then?

See attached for a couple of graphs of a parallel (line) load and a concentrated load.



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[msquared48]

Point load or strip load surcharges, what is the difference? The wall still sees a certain surcharge from this strip load which your geotech should be able to provide you, and then you just design the wall as a foot long strip of wall with the associated loads. No worries.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[StructuralMike]

With the load being perpendicular the distance where the load starts is zero and continues until the footing is outside the soil wedge. So it is difficult to apply this equation.

 

[msquared48]

OK. Sorry, I understand now. You need to talk to your getotech on this one.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[StructuralMike]

I have spoke to him but all he could give me is the same line load information (parallel to the wall).

 

[PEinc]

You may want to reconsider supporting a nearby structure foundation on a cantilevered wall. Will the structure be built after the wall or is the structure already there? Cantilever walls deflect. Deflection causes lateral soil movement and settlement. I don't recommend supporting a structure with a wall that moves.

http://www.PeirceEngineering.com

 

[tsek]

Because of what PEinc said, you're probably better off assuming an infinite load that has width equal to the length of the building. Also use at-rest earth pressure Ko when evaluating the soil lateral stress on the wall.