SRW Building Loads

[HannyEI]

Hi! I am currently working on a small site design where a segmental block retaining wall will be required. I am new to retaining wall design and am wondering if my building approx. 40' away will exert any surcharges on the wall? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[oldestguy]

More info please.

Elevation differences and proposed cross section in wall showing building, soil types, building type and foundations.

Any borings? What is shown there?

Proposed wall materials, Water situation (surface and ground)

 

[Ron]

You mentioned you are on a small site. The wall height and soil type will be key to determining this first. Secondly, the subsurface conditions will influence this. In general, if the wall is not very high (say 10 feet or less)and there is no slope behind the wall, then the influence of a building 40 feet away as surcharge will be nothing; however don't forget to include trees...they grow up and can significantly affect the wall both in surcharge weight and root growth damage.

As oldestguy said, "more info please".

 

[HannyEI]

The slope behind the wall is very flat (less than 2%), because I am adjacent to a drive aisle. The only place we have have some slope is where the wall is tying in to existing grade. At that location we have some 3:1, but the wall height in that area is less than 5'. At the highest point the wall is a shade over 9', and at that location the building is over 40' away. No trees near the wall, as the site has been cleared. The building is pretty small, slab on grade about 7k sq ft. I don't have the plans with me, so I am not sure how big the footers are. I will have to wait til I get back to the office. For the soil, we don't have a good geotech report, because I am working for one of those clients, but for the sake of design, I am going to assume clay. Thanks for the quick responses.

 

[Ron]

It's not likely that the building has any influence.

I'd be careful about assuming clay for retaining wall design. That would generally be non-conservative.

 

[eric1037]

You mention that you are adjacent to a drive aisle. Don't forget to add in vehicle surcharge.

 

[petrosoft]

How much vehicle surcharge would you add? Just curious.