Code for retaining wall design
Code for retaining wall design
(OP)
Hi Guys,
I am a civil engineer and I am new to structural design. Right now I have two retaining walls to design(one holding water for a hydro power intake and the other one holding soil). What is the best code that I should be based on for loading combinations?
Thanks,
Alex
I am a civil engineer and I am new to structural design. Right now I have two retaining walls to design(one holding water for a hydro power intake and the other one holding soil). What is the best code that I should be based on for loading combinations?
Thanks,
Alex






RE: Code for retaining wall design
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Code for retaining wall design
1. If your soil retaining wall is adjacent to a roadway, you will need to check in with the AASHTO code. I am not an AASHTO guy, but it I can imagine the AASHTO load combinations+resistance factors could result in a higher required reliability than those developed by ASCE 7 load factors + ACI resistance factors.
2. Hydro power intake sounds fancy - ACI 350 seems like the obvious choice for material resistance. I would make sure you feel good about ASCE 7 static fluid pressure with the typical F load factor. Something tells me there may be a code body which governs hydro-electric plants and similar structures.
I try to remember that the ASCE 7 is not a "catch all" for all loads on structures (even though in my little world it is)
"It is imperative Cunth doesn't get his hands on those codes."