Retaining wall earth pressure and stability

What the tool calculates

• Rankine or Coulomb earth pressure, with soil-wall friction δ where applicable
• Overturning, sliding, eccentricity and base pressure checks using Vesić
• Water effects: submerged unit weight and hydrostatic pressure
• Drainage considerations and the need to assess global stability

What you enter

• Wall and retained-ground geometry
• Soil strength and unit weight parameters (c, φ, γ)
• Surcharge and groundwater level, where present

What you receive

• Active earth pressure resultant and point of application
• Factors of safety against overturning and sliding
• Base pressures and eccentricity

References and limits of applicability

• Rankine and Coulomb earth pressure theories; classical soil mechanics references
• ABNT NBR 6118:2023 — Design of concrete structures (structural design of the wall where reinforced)

Checks and considerations

• Resultant outside the middle third of the base (e > B/6)
• Water accumulation caused by inadequate drainage can substantially increase lateral pressure

How it works

The analysis combines earth pressures, weights, surcharges and water effects to check overturning, sliding and contact with the soil. Review eccentricity and base pressures alongside the factors of safety. Global stability and drainage design require separate assessments.

Example of use

To study a retaining wall, enter its cross-section and soil conditions. Compare a drained situation with the critical water condition applicable to the site, and examine the effects on lateral pressure, eccentricity and factors of safety.

Frequently asked questions

Does the calculation account for water behind the wall?

Yes. The calculation includes submerged unit weight below the groundwater level and hydrostatic pressure. The drainage condition must represent the design situation: water accumulating behind the wall can substantially increase lateral pressure.

Generated documents

These documents are assembled within your project using data from the corresponding tools.

• Geotechnical calculation report — Combine calculation reports for soil stress bulbs, retaining walls, reinforced soil walls, slope stability and soil-nailed slopes in one PDF. The document consolidates saved calculations without repeating or cross-checking the individual tools' verifications.