Design Assumptions for Gravity Segmental Retaining Walls

Design Assumptions for Gravity Segmental Retaining Walls

When working with the Geogrid Reinforced Segmental Retaining Wall module in RetainPro the input screens and output report vary from the conventional cantilevered and restrained retaining walls.

 

In general, methodology used conforms to NCMA’s Design of Segmental Retaining Walls, 3rd Edition.  

 

Since segmental retaining walls can be highly complex, some simplifying design assumptions have been implemented to make the program easier to use and still cover most conditions encountered. These assumptions are:

 

1.All masonry units are the same size (height, width, depth) and single wythe.

2.Offsets between blocks are uniform for the full height of the wall.

3.Coulomb method is used for determining lateral earth pressures.

4.Setting base is assumed to be gravel or crushed stone, 6” thick, and extending 6” beyond each edge of the bottom block.

5.Block dimensions are obtained from vendor websites or literature.

6.Weight of wall is assumed to be 120 pcf for depth of block.