Stability Analysis and Design of Cantilever Retaining Walls with Regard to Possible Failure Mechanisms: An Upper Bound Limit Analysis Approach

Abstract

This study presents a new algorithm for design of cantilever retaining walls based on the proposed failure mechanisms and considers the effects of wall geometric parameters using an upper-bound limit analysis approach. All previous work on this subject has only focused on the optimum design of the retaining walls assuming constant forces, irrespective of the total stability and critical conditions of failure mechanisms. In the present study, the upper-bound limit analysis method was used to determine the shape of the critical failure mechanisms for a retaining wall simultaneously with its optimal dimensions. The safety factors against overturning, sliding, and bearing capacity failure were assessed by the limit analysis approach. The current results show good agreement with the results obtained using the limit equilibrium methods and finite element analyses. The results obtained based on the proposed failure mechanism show that the geometry and dimensions of the wall affect its stability safety factors, the shape of the critical failure mechanisms and the active pressure on the wall; therefore, the process of determining the shape of the critical failure mechanisms, checking the stability of the wall and the procedure of finding its optimal dimensions should be performed simultaneously.