Geotechnical Engineering Series - Earth Retaining Structures

Yun Zhou, Ph.D., P.E.

Course Outline

In this course, you need to review Chapter 10 – Earth Retaining Structures from “Reference Manual Volume II, SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS”, Publication No. FHWA NHI-06-089, by Federal Highway Administration of U.S. Department of Transportation. 

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

Upon completion of this course, the student will gain the following specific knowledge: 

• General approach to retaining structure design;
• Classification of earth retaining structures;
• Temporary and permanent retaining wall applications;
• Considerations for selection of retaining structure;
• Active, at-rest, and passive lateral earth pressures;
• Effect of cohesion on lateral earth pressures;
• Effect of wall friction and wall adhesion on lateral earth pressures;
• Theoretical lateral earth pressures in stratified soils;
• Semi empirical lateral earth pressure diagrams;
• Lateral earth pressures in cohesive backfills;
• Lateral pressure due to water;
• Lateral pressure from surcharge loads;
• Design procedure and steps for retaining walls;
• Bearing capacity;
• Overturning;
• Sliding;
• Tilting;
• Global stability;
• Settlement;
• Drainage systems; and
• Construction monitoring and inspection.
  

Intended Audience

This course is intended for geotechnical, civil, mining, structural, and environmental engineers, as well as design and construction personnel involved with the planning, design, and construction of earth slopes.

Benefit to Attendees

Attendee of this course will be able to understand and deal with issues associated with design and construction of earth retaining structures.

Course Introduction

This course starts with classifications of earth retaining structures. Based on geotechnical and hydro-geotechnical characteristics of geo-materials of soil, rock, and water, the behaviors of retaining wall interacting with driving forces and resisting forces toward wall instability are explained in detail.  Further, the principles and techniques of retaining wall analysis are presented. From the theoretical considerations, practical approaches of instability evaluation and wall design and are introduced.

Course Content

The associated course materials are contained in an Adobe Acrobat pdf format of Chapter 10 – Earth Retaining Structures from “Reference Manual Volume II, SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS”, Publication No. FHWA NHI-06-089, by Federal Highway Administration of U.S. Department of Transportation.

Chapter 8 – Earth Retaining Structures

Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Course Summary

This course, as a part of Geotechnical Engineering Series, covers basic theories, engineering evaluations, and practical approaches for design of earth retaining structures.

Related Links

For additional information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:

PDHonline Course C538 - Geotechnical Engineering Series – Slope Stability
PDHonline Course C539 - Geotechnical Engineering Series – Shallow Foundations
PDHonline Course C540 - Geotechnical Engineering Series – Deep Foundations

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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