Placing retaining wall in lifts?
Placing retaining wall in lifts?
(OP)
I have a project with a retaining wall that is approximately 13’ tall. Due to some so constraints onsite the contractor needs to place this wall in lifts and is asking if this is OK. The wall is 14" thick and has an inner and outer layer of steel. Both layers are designed as if the wall was a cantilever wall (outer layer) or propped at the top (inner layer).
The only downside I can think of has to deal with the shear transfer through the cold joint between concrete lifts. Here we could intentionally roughen the surface and then provide additional reinforcing at the joint (the dreaded shear friction). Are there any other downsides?
I can’t believe I have never run into this before.
The only downside I can think of has to deal with the shear transfer through the cold joint between concrete lifts. Here we could intentionally roughen the surface and then provide additional reinforcing at the joint (the dreaded shear friction). Are there any other downsides?
I can’t believe I have never run into this before.






RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
I bet this happens more than you know, the contractor just doenst call about it
RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
www.SlideRuleEra.net
www.VacuumTubeEra.net
RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
Do you ever consider a combined action of axial and shear in any steel section? No, you check each individually, provided it passes both checks on it's own we consider it adequate. How is reinforcing steel any different?
RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
In my opinion. Most walls should be designed to accommodate multi-lift pours. It's common and not something that you want to be vetoing.
The greatest trick that bond stress ever pulled was convincing the world it didn't exist.
RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
Just saying. I do agree, however, that this case should be fine.
RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
I haven't talked to the contractor since our original conversation. I'm not sure what he is planning to do as he was in talks with a shoring contractor to stabilize some of the existing grade. Last we spoke I told him that we could probably do something to accommodate his request. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything.
RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
The greatest trick that bond stress ever pulled was convincing the world it didn't exist.
RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
RE: Placing retaining wall in lifts?
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)