Small Retaining Wall

[meDave2]

I was asked to review a design for a small T type retaining wall that is 4 feet above ground with a spread footing of 3 feet. The wall is L-shaped and is about 25 feet by 100 feet long with the short leg being 25 feet. The retaining wall will only be loaded with sand if a noreaster hits and the property is flooded. The corner appeared to be overstress by a simple hand calculaiton. I was thinking of analizing the wall with a beam on elastic foundation model but did know know the stiffness value to use for the soil. I recommended soil testing be done. Is my reommendation of a soil test overkill?

 

[JedClampett]

If you're doing a beam on elastic foundation analysis for something that small, you're killing a gnat with a howitzer. If you think the corner is overstressed, why not just strengthen it? The amount of reinforcing will cost a lot less than your time.