Retaining Wall Vehicle Guard?

[SteelPE]

I have a project where I need to design a retaining wall for a shopping plaza entrance (there appears to be a river at the front of the plaza that needs to be crossed with a culvert by others). When designing the wall I am going to apply the AASHTO surcharge on the wall equal to 2’ of earth to simulate the traffic loading. The project doesn’t really fall under the AASHTO requirements as this is a private project.

My question is in regards to vehicle guards. Does the force from the vehicle guards need to be included in the design of the wall (together with the surcharge load) or does the AASHTO surcharge already account for this load? If so, would you use the full 10k load applied to the vehicle guard (as we should not have vehicles moving at 65mph coming into the plaza)?

 

[Teguci]

No, add the impact 10K on top of the surcharge. Yes, I would design for the full 10K load upon entrance unless I restricted trucks from using the road.

 

[RFreund]

A couple of things to consider:

I would apply both at the same time. But it sounds like you could use IBC guardrail load (I believe 6kips) this may be more applicable. You should be able to distribute the load out over a certain length of wall. I've also wondered if you could increase your allowable soil bearing pressure by 1/3rd for short term loading condition.

Also I'm assuming this is not a segmental wall, as the guardrail design is prescriptive in this case.

EIT

 

[SteelPE]

RFreund

By segmented wall you mean a modular block wall? The wall is to be a CIP concrete retaining wall.

 

[Teguci]

RFreund - 6K is for passenger vehicles only. IBC (2006) shoots you off to find your own way when there are trucks involved. Hence the use of the AASHTO prescribed 10K.

 

[RFreund]

ahh, good save.

EIT