ermmemeD, STABILITY OF EARTH-RETAINING STRUCTURES 610 15.0 INTRODUCTION In this chapter, we will analyze some typical earth-retaining structures to determine their stability. The ‘emphases will be on gaining an understanding of the forces that provoke failures and methods of analy- sis of simple carth-retaining structures. When you complete this chapter, you should be able to: ‘* Understand and determine lateral earth pressures ‘© Understand the forces that lead to instability of earth-retaining structures + Determine the stability of simple earth-retaining structures. You will use the following principles learned from previous chapters and your courses in mechanics: * Static equilibrium ** Effective stresses and seepage (Chapter 7) ‘+ Mobr's circle (Chapter 7) Shear strength (Chapter 10) + Two-dimensional flow of water through soils (Chapter 14) Importance Earth-retaining structures are ubiquitous in the man-made environment. These structures have the distinction of being the first to be analyzed using mechanics (remember, we mentioned Coulomb's analysis of the lateral earth pressure on the fortresses protected by soil in Chapter 1). There are various types of retaining walls, By convention, these walls are grouped into three categories—mass gravity, flexible, and mechanically stabilized earth walls. Regardless of the category, a geotechnical engineer must ensure that the wall is stable under anticipated loadings. You should recall that stabil- ity refers to a condition in which a geotechnical system will not fail or collapse under any conceivable loading (static and dynamic loads, fluid pressure, seepage forces). Stability is synonymous with ulti ‘mate limit state, but serviceability limit state is also important, In many circumstances, the serviceability limit state is the deciding design limit state. The methods of analyses that we are going to discuss in this chapter do not consider the serviceability limit state. The analyses involved in determining the serviceability limit state are beyond the scope of this book. An example of a retaining structure in a waterfront area is shown in Figure 15.1.15.1 DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS Backfill s the soil retained by the wall. Active earth pressure coefficient (K,) is the ratio between the lateral and vertical principal effective stresses al the limiting stress state when an carth-retaining structure moves away (by a small amount) from the backiill (retained soil) Passive earth pressure coefficient (K,) is the ratio between the lateral and vertical principal effective stresses at the limiting stress state when an earth-retaining structure is forced against a soil mass. Gravity retaining wall is a massive concrete wall relying on its retained soil mass. ass to resist the lateral forces from the Flexible retaining wall or sheet pile wall is a long, slender wall relying on passive resistance and. anchors or props for its stability Mechanical stabilized earth is a gravity-type retaining wall in which the soil is reinforced by thin reinforcing elements (steel, fabric, fibers, etc) 15.2 QUESTIONS TO GUIDE YOUR READING ‘What is meant by the stability of earth-retaining structures? ‘What are the factors that lead to instability? ‘What are the main assumptions in the theory of lateral earth pressures? aepe When shall I use either Rankine’s theory or Coulomb's theory? Does Coulomb's theory give an upper bound or a lower bound solution? 3. What is the effect of wall friction on the shape of slip planes? ‘What are the differences among a gravity wall, a cantilever wall, a cantilever sheet pile wall, and an anchored sheet pile wall? 68, How do I analyze a retaining wall to check that itis stable? 9. How deep can I make a vertical cut without wall supports? 10. What arc mechanically stabilized earth walls? 15.3 BASIC CONCEPTS OF LATERAL EARTH PRESSURES \Q Interactive Concept Learning Access http:/www.wiley.com/college/budhu, Chapter 15 to learn the basic concepts of lateral earth pressure through interactive visualizations. We discussed the lateral earth pressure at rest and the lateral increases in stresses on a semi-infinite, iso- tropic, homogeneous, clastic soil mass from surface loading in Chapter 7. We are now going to consider the lateral earth pressures on a vertical wall that retains a soil mass. We will deal with two theories, one proposed by Coulomb (1776) and the other by Rankine (1857). First, we will develop a basic under- standing of lateral earth pressures using a generic 6” and make the following assumptions: 1. The earth-retaining wall is vertical. 2. The interface between the wall and soil is frictionless 3. The soil surface is horizontal and no shear stress acts on horizontal and vertical boundaries. 4, The wall is rigid and extends to an infinite depth in a dry, homogencous, isotropic soil mass. 5. The soil is loose and initially in an at-rest state. Consider the wall shown in Figure 15.2. If the wall remains rigid and no movement (not even an infinitesimal movement) occurs, then the vertical and horizontal effective stresses at rest on elements A, at the back wall, and B, at the front wall, are oj=yz 01 = 03 = Ko} = Key'z Wai lt ater rotation —! 4 Front of wal | are ‘ 5 FIGURE 15.2 Stresses on soil elements in front of and behind a retaining wall.