FORCES ON RETAINING WALLS: USING THE METHOD OF SLICES

This article gives an account of the use of "the method of slices" to calculate the magnitude of a force on a retaining wall, together with its position and overturning moment. After giving details of the method and the derivation of the appropriate formulae, the author gives an account of two computer programs used to solve retaining wall problems. One program gives a detailed solution including the value of each inter-slice force in addition to the magnitude and position of the force on the wall, the other determines values of the magnitude of the force for a large number of centres forming a grid pattern. Details are given of the application of the method to the solution of typical problems which include factors of safety and the effect of water pressure. He also compares the results with those obtained by the wedge method of analysis. It was found that the solutions obtained indicate the two methods give similar values for the force on a retaining wall and that the value is not much affected by the range of values selected for the slope of the inter-slice forces. It was also found that the position point of application is appreciably affected by the slope of the inter-slice forces, that if the failure surface is circular in cross-section the slice method gives a higher value than the wedge method in the case of cohesive soils, and that the force may be increased by water pressure in the soil, even when not applied directly against the surface of the wall. /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/10480594
• Corporate Authors:

  Morgan-Grampian (Professional Press) Limited

  Morgan-Grampian House, Calderwood Street
  London SE18 6QH,   England 
• Authors:
  • Spencer, E
• Publication Date: 0

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 18-23
• Serial:
  • Civil Engineering
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0885-7024
  • Serial URL: http://www.pubs.asce.org/ceonline/newce/html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Coefficients; Cohesive soils; Computer programs; Digital computers; Earth pressure; Failure; Force; Mathematical models; Method of slices; Pore water pressures; Retaining walls; Safety; Slip surfaces; Slope stability; Slopes; Soil mechanics; Soil stabilization
• Old TRIS Terms: Program; Wedge theory /earth pressure/
• ITRD Terms: 4157: Cohesive soil; 8673: Digital computer; 5520: Failure; 5421: Force; 6473: Mathematical model; 5762: Pore water pressure; 3359: Retaining wall; 5504: Safety coefficient; 5794: Slip surface (soil mech); 8645: Software
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00125556
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 19 1976 12:00AM