About this Application
This tool performs design and stability checks for cantilever retaining walls according to
Rankine's earth pressure theory and EN 1992-1-1 (EC2) reinforced
concrete design code. It evaluates sliding stability, overturning stability,
bearing capacity, and concrete structural design including shear and
reinforcement requirements. The design is based on geotechnical limit state checks and ultimate limit state
design of the concrete cantilever elements.
Input Parameters
Soil Parameters
Wall Geometry
Loading
Material
Cantilever Retaining Wall Cross Section
Stability Checks (Global Safety)
| Check | Calculated | Minimum | Status |
|---|
Structural Design ‐ Reinforcement Requirements (EC2)
‐ per 1 m wall strip width
| Element | MEd [kNm/m] | d [mm] | K | z [mm] | As,req [cm²/m] | As,min [cm²/m] | As,design [cm²/m] | Tension Face |
|---|
Notes:
fcd = 0.85⋅fck/1.5 |
fyd = fyk/1.15 |
K = MEd/(b⋅d²⋅fcd) |
z = d⋅0.5(1+√(1−3.53K)) ≤ 0.95d |
As,min per EC2 §9.2.1.1
Design Assumptions & Theory
Earth Pressure (Rankine Theory)
- Active: Ka = (1 − sinφ)/(1 + sinφ) = tan²(45° − φ/2)
- Passive: Kp = 1/Ka = tan²(45° + φ/2)
- Total retained height Hd = Hstem + tbase
- Pa = ½KaγsHd² + KaqHd (kN/m)
- Pp = ½Kpγstbase² (kN/m, at toe)
Stability Checks
- Overturning: FOS = ΣMstab/ΣMot ≥ 2.0
- Sliding: FOS = (ΣV⋅μ + Pp)/Pa ≥ 1.5
- Bearing: qmax ≤ qallow
- Eccentricity: e/B ≤ 1/6 (full base in compression)
Structural Design (EC2 simplified)
- Stem: Cantilever bending at base, M = Pa,tri⋅H/3 + Pa,sur⋅H/2. Tension on heel face.
- Heel slab: Cantilever bending about stem face. Net downward = soil+surcharge+self − bearing. Tension at top.
- Toe slab: Cantilever bending about stem. Net upward = bearing − self-weight. Tension at bottom.
- Moments are un-factored for stability; for structural design use appropriate load factors (EC2/EC7 specific case). Results shown at characteristic / working level.
All forces are per unit wall length (1 m strip). No seismic loading included.