FIELD MEASUREMENTS OF EARTH PRESSURE ON A CANTILEVER RETAINING WALL

Field observations of the performance of an 11-ft (3.4-m) high cantilever wall on clay soil retaining a highway embankment in Houston, Texas were obtained. Measurements of wall translation and tilt, lateral earth pressure on the back face and bearing pressure on the footing were made periodically throughout a one-year period. Data acquisition began immediately after wall construction; data were obtained before, during and after placement of the select sand backfill. Measured lateral and bearing pressures were compared with calculated values obtained by published analytical methods, including the well-known Rankine and Coulomb theories of lateral earth pressure. Measured lateral pressures were integrated to obtain the resultant force on the wall. The resultant force was also computed by Culmann's graphical method for comparison with the value obtained by integration. Surcharge effects were studied by comparing the pressures and forces acting on the wall before and after placement of clay above the select sand backfill. (FHWA)

• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 1600 E Lamar Boulevard
  Arlington, TX  United States  76011

  Texas State Department of Highways & Public Transp

  P.O. Box 5051
  Austin, TX  United States  78763

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Schulze, L W
  • Coyle, H M
  • Bartoskewitz, R E
• Publication Date: 1981-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 103 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Backfilling; Cantilevers; Data collection; Earth pressure; Embankments; Exhaust gases; Highways; Measurement; Nozzles; Performance; Retaining walls; Sand
• Uncontrolled Terms: Comparative analysis; Lateral pressure
• Old TRIS Terms: Backfills; Exhaust nozzles
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00334459
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-81/7+236-1 Intrm Rpt., Res Rpt. 236-1, FCP 40S8-392
• Contract Numbers: 2-5-78-236
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Nov 23 1981 12:00AM