Lateral Pressure due to Point Load using Boussinesq Equation
Lateral Pressure due to Point Load using Boussinesq Equation
(OP)
Hi
I am designing a truck loading ramp having side walls as retaining walls with footing. The space between will be covered by fill (to save concrete) and the top 200mm will be composed of slabs to be designed as slab-on-grade.
Im designing these retaining walls using MathCAD and Im applying a lateral load due to point load (HS20 truck) using Boussinesq equation. I used the MathCAD to integrate the lateral pressure acting on the wall to obtain the shear and moment acting on the bottom of the wall for design. I assumed that the wheel loads are closest to the wall (distance = 0). Then, i realized that, using my template, having shorter walls results into larger lateral forces. When i input a very small height, the resulting lateral force increases greatly. Also, when i input a very large value for the height, the lateral force seems to diminish.
Am i using the equation correctly? Am i having realistic results based on the principles using Boussinesq equation? or am i just missing some limitations of using the equation? Im no expert in geotech eng'g and I really need your help. I will be attaching the equation im using and also a snapshot of the mathcad equation.
Thanks in advance!
I am designing a truck loading ramp having side walls as retaining walls with footing. The space between will be covered by fill (to save concrete) and the top 200mm will be composed of slabs to be designed as slab-on-grade.
Im designing these retaining walls using MathCAD and Im applying a lateral load due to point load (HS20 truck) using Boussinesq equation. I used the MathCAD to integrate the lateral pressure acting on the wall to obtain the shear and moment acting on the bottom of the wall for design. I assumed that the wheel loads are closest to the wall (distance = 0). Then, i realized that, using my template, having shorter walls results into larger lateral forces. When i input a very small height, the resulting lateral force increases greatly. Also, when i input a very large value for the height, the lateral force seems to diminish.
Am i using the equation correctly? Am i having realistic results based on the principles using Boussinesq equation? or am i just missing some limitations of using the equation? Im no expert in geotech eng'g and I really need your help. I will be attaching the equation im using and also a snapshot of the mathcad equation.
Thanks in advance!





RE: Lateral Pressure due to Point Load using Boussinesq Equation
EIT
www.HowToEngineer.com
RE: Lateral Pressure due to Point Load using Boussinesq Equation
www.PeirceEngineering.com
RE: Lateral Pressure due to Point Load using Boussinesq Equation
You're right PEinc. I think I should consider the adjacent wheel loads in calculating my lateral pressure. Regarding traffic loads being idealized as area surcharge, is it specified in AASHTO or other references? because I haven't encountered any. If i will be able to find an area surcharge equivalent for traffic loads, that would make my calcs easier! Thanks!
RE: Lateral Pressure due to Point Load using Boussinesq Equation
www.PeirceEngineering.com