Certain characteristics of calculating angular retaining walls

Abstract

The calculations of retaining walls used so far are considerably simplified, which is explained by the outward simplicity of these structures andthelr widespread use. Yet retaining walls, being a three-dlmensional structure, despite the seeming simplicity of design, are in a complex stress--strain state, especially the retaining walls of hydraulic structures with a height of 20-30 m and more.Retaining walls with a height of more than 30 m are unique and are under even more complex conditions than concrete dams, for which there are special standards.In particular, the cross sections in the embedment of wall more than 30 m high increase to 10 m and more, whereas temperature fluctuations do not penetrate deeper than 4-5 m from the face. Variations of the air and water temperature create internal shear stresses in concrete without movement of the walls into the depths of the backfill, which could cause passive resistance.Calculations of such walls cannot be performed on the basis of general standards and regulations for walls with a height of 5-30 m and should be carried out individually with the use of independent technical specifications.The two-dimensional problem is usually selected for calculating retaining walls: a strip is cut out along the cross ~ection of the wall and is calculated for the effect of the loads applied to it. If the wall has a variable height in the longitudinal direction, two-three strips are cut, each being calculated independently and reinforced on the basis of these calculations.The interactlo= of these strips is not taken into account, although the higher (and more loaded) strips, resting on the adjacent lower, more rigid (and less loaded) strips increase the load on the latter, hut they themselves in this case are partially unloaded. The movements of the crest of such a wall along its length are different and cause curvature of its plane. However, this is not the only deviation of the actual state of retaining walls from the design model.