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Shear Key effectiveness

Shear Key effectiveness

Shear Key effectiveness

(OP)
I am wanting to get some opinions on the use of shear keys to increase sliding resistance of retaining walls.  

Does anyone have an opinion on shear key effectiveness.

RE: Shear Key effectiveness

i believe shear keys to be an effective method of preventing sliding.  However, their efficacy is dependant upon the degree of workmanship one uses in forming the key.  It is essential that the minimum of disturbance is created to the passive face in front of the key during the excavation process.  If necessary, use sheet piles to ensure a good clean working face with no ground softening.  This will ensure that the soil can generate the required passive resistance.

One must allow in the design for a certain degree of movement of the wall into the passive soil in front of the key so that the resistance can be generated in this soil at the toe. Also I believe that the passive face must be protected from the effects of weathering and moisture absorbtion (especially in clays).  Therefore, it is best to cover the passive key material with a part of the wall base slab.  Also, good routing of the through-wall drainage away from the toe is essential in order to prevent swelling/softening of clay toes.

Regards

Andy Machon
Andy@machona.freeserve.co.uk

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