M-9309

94:10

DENNIS E. DARBY1
Concrete retaining walls have limited application on most farms. Where they are used, however, proper design and construction will assure satisfactory performance. This plan provides details for reinforced concrete retaining walls up to 2.4 m (8 ft.) high.

This is the basis for design for this plan.

THEORY Two primary design conditions must be met. (1) The wall system has to be stable, so that it does not move or overturn, and (2) It must be strong enough to withstand the breaking forces where the wall joins the footing. This plan is for a "cantilever" wall design. The footings are made wide enough that the weight of soil on the uphill side is greater than the overturning force. Enough reinforcing is provided to prevent the wall from breaking off where it joins the footing. Good drainage at the back side is also desired to prevent saturation of the soil, which results in excessive pressure. Short wall sections can be drained to either end by drain tile and some granular backfill; long walls should have weep holes at the footing together with at least 300 mm (12") of granular fill.

FIGURE 1

VERTICAL FORCE, W, IS GREATER THAN OVERTURNING FORCE, L

A soil test and services of an engineer should be obtained for sites where the soil is poorly drained and/or unusual loads or a high level of safety is required (such as along driveways carrying heavy loads).

SPECIFICATIONS High quality concrete is desired to resist freezing action. Specify: 30 MPa, (air-entrained concrete, sulphate resistant if soils require it) with 1" (25 mm) maximum aggregate. Reinforcing is critical to the performance of foundations of this type. Steel location, sizes and dimensions should be as tabled in the plan. Minimum cover for reinforcement is 3" (75 mm) for concrete cast against soil, 2" (50 mm) otherwise.

SOIL PRESSURE There is wide variability in soil density and fluid behaviour that affects horizontal soil pressure. Engineers refer to this as the Equivalent Fluid Density (EFD) of the soil. This ranges form a low of 5 kN/m3 to a high of 15 kN/m3 (30 to 75 lb ./ft3). An EFD of 10 kN/m3 is safe for all but extremely poor soil conditions, such as saturated clay or undrained silt.

The Canada Plan Service, a Canadian federal/provincial organization, promotes the transfer of technology through factsheets, design aids and construction drawings that show how to plan and build modern farm structures and equipment for Canadian agriculture. For more information, contact your local provincial agricultural engineer or extension advisor. WARNING This leaflet gives structural choices you must select to meet local climatic loads (wind, snow), soil-bearing capacity and other local conditions. You must ensure that these requirements are met. Consult an engineer if you are not familiar with the details required.