Stability Analysis of Landfills Contained by Retaining Walls Using Continuous Stress Method

1  Introduction

Retaining walls are typically used to support subgrade or sloped fills, stabilize embankments, and prevent deformation failures, or reduce the height of sloped excavations. In order to mitigate the failure risk of a sliding slope supported by a retaining wall, an effective protection solution must be employed to ensure the stability of the slope [1]. The calculation of the active earth pressure behind a retaining wall is a classical problem in soil mechanics. The conventional design methods of retaining walls usually require estimating the earth pressure behind a wall and selecting a wall geometry to satisfy the equilibrium conditions with a specified factor of safety. Closed-form solutions are widely used for computing the active earth thrust acting on retaining structures in the equilibrium limit state. However, the active earth pressure calculation methods still have many issues, such as determining the resultant force line of action. Since the deformation failure mode of a retaining wall cannot be accurately predicted, a sliding surface is assumed to simplify the calculations. Du Bois [2] proposed the active and passive earth pressure coefficients and equations for calculating the lateral earth pressure acting on retaining walls in the equilibrium limit state. The Coulomb earth pressure theory assumes a planar sliding surface for a cohesionless wall and a triangular earth pressure distribution. The Rankine earth pressure theory is based on a semi-infinite space and assumes that the wall is rigid, the back of the wall is vertical and smooth, the surface of fill behind the wall is horizontal, and the distribution of earth pressure is triangular. The Rankine theory can be used directly to calculate the earth pressure for cohesive soils, but the results are very conservative. Okabe et al. [3,4] suggested a calculation method for the lateral earth thrust in seismic conditions. Terzaghi [5] suggested that the active earth pressure of the rigid retaining wall is related to the movement of the retaining wall. There are obvious differences in the active earth pressure of the rigid retaining walls under three different movement modes: translation, top rotation, and bottom rotation. Kezdi [6] studied the rotational movement modes of a retaining wall around its bottom. Handy [7] considered the soil arching effect to study the stress distribution in the soil mass behind the retaining wall using the finite element method and assuming a Rankine sliding surface. In actual engineering applications, the evaluation of the lateral earth thrust due to the soil weight and the surcharge acting on the retained backfill may be required. However, the available solutions for the active earth pressure acting on retaining walls are only suitable for static conditions. Motta [8] proposed a general closed-form solution for the case of uniformly distributed surcharge applied on the backfill soil at a certain distance from the top of the wall.

The slope failure mechanism and stability analysis are traditional topics in geotechnical engineering. Previous studies have proposed many equilibrium limit stability calculation methods, such as the Fellenius method, simplified Bishop method, Spencer method, Janbu method, transfer coefficient method, Sarma method, wedge method, and finite element strength reduction method (SRM) [9–16]. In the traditional slope stability analysis, the limit equilibrium slice method is often used [17–19]. With the advancement of numerical methods, various new calculation methods appeared [20–24], including the partial strength reduction methods (PSRM) that simulate the progressive failure of landslides [25,26]. The sliding surface is divided into an unstable zone, a critical zone, and a stable zone, and the characteristics of the critical stress state of the slope were proposed by [25–29]. However, limited studies adopting models of both the retaining wall and the slope have been carried out. Dawson et al. [30] established an analytical model for the retaining wall and the slope and analyzed the stability of a high-speed road slope using the limit equilibrium theory and the finite element method (FEM).

The current studies on slopes and retaining walls mainly focus on the earth pressure calculation and stability evaluation under some assumptions. Based on the classical theories of earth pressure, the sliding and overturning stability, and safety evaluation of retaining walls and slopes, a new method of force and displacement analysis of landfills contained with retaining walls is proposed in this article. The method has the following characteristics:

(1)    A theoretical solution for the stress at any point of the landfill confined with a retaining wall can be obtained, considering the corresponding boundary conditions, but ignoring the critical state assumptions.

(2)    The Duncan-Chang and Hooke constitutive models are used to obtain the strains and displacements in landfills confined with retaining walls.

(3)    The proposed method can not only be used to study the overturning and sliding failure modes but the tensile and bulging failure modes of retaining walls and landfills as well. The overall internal failure evaluation of retaining walls and landfills can be carried out.

(4)    The normal and tangential stresses produced by the lateral earth thrust acting on the retaining wall can be taken into account.

(5)    The method provides a theoretical basis for slope design. Different retaining wall forms and materials can be adopted for different stress distributions, which can lead to economic, rational, and effective designs.

2  Traditional Retaining Wall Design

The conventional method for calculation of lateral stress for gravity retaining walls with rigid foundations and homogeneous cohesionless fills is introduced first.

2.1 Earth Pressure of Homogeneous Cohesionless Backfills

The active earth pressure acting on the retaining wall can be calculated for a homogeneous cohesionless backfill in Eq. (1).

Ea=12γHd2Ka(1)

where Ea is the active earth pressure acting on the retaining wall (kN/m); Ka is the coefficient of active earth pressure; γ is the specific weight of the backfill behind the retaining wall (kN/m3); and Hd is the height of the retaining wall (m).

When the backfill top surface behind the wall is inclined (see Fig. 1), the active earth pressure coefficient for a gravity retaining wall can be calculated in Eq. (2).

Ka=cos2⁡(φ−ε)cos2⁡εcos⁡(ε+δ)[1+sin⁡(φ+δ)sin⁡(φ−β)cos⁡(ε+δ)cos⁡(ε−β)]2(2)

where β is the slope of the fill (°); ε is the angle of the retaining wall back surface to the vertical axis (°); ϕ is the internal friction angle of the backfill (°); and δ is the angle between the resultant force and the normal to the wall (°).

Figure 1: Gravity retaining wall with inclined infill top surface

2.2 Stability Analysis

2.2.1 Stress at Retaining Wall Base

The stress at the base of a retaining wall can be calculated in Eq. (3).

Pmax/min=∑GA±∑MW(3)

where Pmax/min is the maximum or minimum value of the retaining wall base stress (kPa); ∑G is the sum of vertical forces acting on the retaining wall (kN); ∑M is the sum of moments of all loads acting on the retaining wall with respect to the base centroid (kN·m); A is the area of the base of the retaining wall (m2); and W is the elastic section modulus of the retaining wall base (m3).

The stresses of the retaining wall founded on hard rock should meet the following criteria:

(1)    The maximum retaining wall base stress should not be greater than the allowable bearing capacity of the hard rock; and

(2)    Except for the construction period and under an earthquake excitation, there must be no tensile stress on the base of the retaining wall.

2.2.2 Base Sliding Stability of Retaining Wall

The safety factor against sliding of the retaining wall along the rock base is calculated according to Eq. (4).

Kc=f′∑G+c′A∑H(4)

where f′ is the shear friction coefficient between the retaining wall and the rock base; c′ is the adhesion between the retaining wall and the rock base (kPa); and ∑H is the sum of the loads parallel to the base (kN).

When the retaining wall back surface is inclined towards the direction of the backfill, the safety factor along the surface between the retaining wall and rock can be calculated according to Eq. (5).

Kc=f0(∑Gcos⁡α+∑Hsin⁡α)∑Hcos⁡α−∑Gsin⁡α(5)

where α is the angle between the base and a horizontal plane (°); and f0 is the effective friction coefficient between the retaining wall and the soil that can be calculated in Eq. (6).

f0=tgφ∑G+c′A∑G(6)

2.3 Overturning Stability

The factor of safety against overturning of a retaining wall is calculated according to Eq. (7).

K0=∑MV∑MH(7)

where K0 is the overturning safety factor of the retaining wall; ∑MV is the sum of clockwise moments with respect to the toe of the retaining wall (kN·m); and ∑MH is the sum counter-clockwise moments with respect to the toe of the retaining wall (kN·m).

According to the above formulas, the sliding stress is produced by the active earth pressure, and the resisting stresses include the compressive and shear strength at the wall base. However, the above results do not consider the tensile failure of the retaining wall. This paper presents a novel method of calculating the stresses and strains for a retaining wall.

3  New Landfill Analysis Method

When the shape of an object is determined, the stress solution must be clear and be updated with the boundary condition changes. Assuming the stresses are continuous, the solutions must satisfy the differential stress equilibrium equations and deformation boundary conditions. This method can be used to find the stress distribution for any geometry, including two-dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) cases. When the boundary conditions and stress field are discontinuous, the discontinuous stress and displacement solutions can also be obtained. The landfill with a retaining wall is taken as an example to illustrate the basic ideas and approaches.

3.1 Boundary Conditions, Specific Gravity and Stresses

In this study, a theoretical solution for an arbitrary polygon under a 2D plane strain problem is studied. The landfill and the retaining wall are the polygon ABCDP and the quadrilateral element BCFE, respectively. The analysis steps are as follows:

(1) The boundaries of the analyzed system are assumed (see Fig. 2). A linear equation is used for the boundary segments AB, BC, CD, DP, and PA of the polygon ABCDP, and segments BE, EF, FC, and CB of the quadrilateral BCFE.

(2) The specific gravity (γw,x,γw,y) distribution in the considered system is determined. In this context, γw,x=0 and γw,y=γ0 is assumed for a landfill contained with a retaining wall.

(3) Using the stress field characteristics, the stress boundary conditions can be formed. The normal stresses at the transition between the landfill (i.e., σnCD,fandσnDP,f) and the sliding bed (i.e., σnCD,sandσnDP,s) are continuous, but the corresponding tangential stresses (i.e., ττCD,f,ττDP,f, ττCD,s,andττDP,s) are not. The stresses between the landfill and retaining wall on plane BC (i.e., σxx,σyy,andτxy) are continuous (see Fig. 2). These assumptions can be written in Eqs. (8) and (9).

σnCD,f=σnCD,s,σnDP,f=σnDP,s(8)

σxxBC,f=σxxBC,r,σyyBC,f=σyyBC,r,τxyBC,f=τxyBC,r(9)

where σnCD,f,σnDP,f,σnCD,s,andσnDP,s are the normal stresses of the landfill and the sliding bed planes CD and DP, respectively; σxxBC,f,σyyBC,f,andτxyBC,f are the stresses of the landfill on plane BC; and σxxBC,r,σyyBC,r,andτxyBC,r are the stresses of the retaining wall on plane BC.

(4) The landfill must satisfy the equilibrium equations, the stress boundary conditions, and the deformation equations. The expressions for the stress equilibrium equations are written and their coefficients are calculated. The stress expressions are assumed for a 2D landfill (note the stress expressions can be changed for different conditions) in Eqs. (10)–(12).

σxx=a1,0+a1,1x+a1,2y+a1,3x2+a1,4xy+a1,5y2+a1,6x3+a1,7x2y+a1,8xy2+a1,9y3(10)

σyy=a2,0+a2,1x+a2,2y+a2,3x2+a2,4xy+a2,5y2+a2,6x3+a2,7x2y+a2,8xy2+a2,9y3(11)

τxy=a3,0+a3,1x+a3,2y+a3,3x2+a3,4xy+a3,5y2+a3,6x3+a3,7x2y+a3,8xy2+a3,9y3(12)

where a1,i,a2,i,a3,i (i = 0, 1, 2, 3) are the coefficients; σxx,σyy,andτxy are X- and Y-direction normal stresses and shear stress, respectively.

Figure 2: Sketch of landfill contained with retaining wall

The number of constant coefficients in Eqs. (10)–(12) can be reduced from 30 to 18 using the differential stress equilibrium equations, which depend on the boundary conditions and macro force equilibrium equations.

The following differential stress equilibrium equations, Eqs. (13) and (14), are satisfied at any point.

∂σxx∂x+∂τxy∂y=0(13)

∂τxy∂x+∂σyy∂y+γ0=0(14)

The corresponding coefficients are zero at any point with a constant unit weight (γ0≠0). This is a necessary condition for stress differential equilibrium equations. Eqs. (1-1)–(1-12) in Appendix are obtained using Eqs. (13) and (14).

3.2 Stress Relationships along Boundary Segment AB

Boundary segment AB of polygon ABCDP can be expressed mathematically in Eq. (15).

y=k1x+b1(15)

The stress conditions on boundary AB are in Eq. (16).

σxx|AB=σyy|AB=τxy|AB=0(16)

Eqs. (2-1)–(2-12) in Appendix were obtained using Eq. (16).

3.3 Force Equilibrium of Landfill

Once the landfill is in a balanced and stable state, the force equilibrium of polygon ABCDP in X- and Y-direction are in Eqs. (17) and (18).

∑FX=0:FN,PD⋅sin⁡α3−Tτ,PD⋅cos⁡α3+FN,CD⋅sin⁡α4−Tτ,CD⋅cos⁡α4−FN,BC⋅sin⁡(β+θ)+Tτ,BC⋅cos⁡(β+θ)=0(17)

∑FY=0:FN,PD⋅cos⁡α3+Tτ,PD⋅sin⁡α3+FN,CD⋅cos⁡α4+Tτ,CD⋅sin⁡α4+FN,BC⋅cos⁡(β+θ)+Tτ,BC⋅sin⁡(β+θ)+W1=0(18)

where FN,PD,Tτ,PD,FN,CD,Tτ,CD,FN,BC,andTτ,BC are the normal and tangential forces on planes PD, CD, and BC, respectively; W1 is the weight per unit thickness of polygon ABCDP; and α3,α3,α4,β,andθ are the angles of different sides (see Fig. 2).

The expressions for FN,PD,Tτ,PD,FN,CD,Tτ,CD,FN,BC,Tτ,BC,andW1 are presented in the following sections.

3.3.1 Normal Forces Acting on Segments CD, BC, and PD

The equation of boundary segment CD is in Eq. (19)

y=k2x+b2(19)

The expressions for σxxCD,σyyCD,andτxyCD are obtained by combining Eq. (19) and Eqs. (10)–(12), and are shown in Eqs. (20)–(22).

σxxCD=(a1,0+a1,2b2+a1,5b22+a1,9b23)+(a1,1+a1,2k2+a1,4b2+2a1,5k2b2+a1,8b22+3a1,9k2b22)x+(a1,3+a1,4k2+a1,5k22+a1,7b2+2a1,8k2b2+3a1,9k22b2)x2+(a1,6+a1,7k2+a1,8k22+a1,9k23)x3(20)

σyyCD=(a2,0+a2,2b2+a1,3b22+13a1,7b23)+(a2,1+a2,2k2+a2,4b2+2a1,3k2b2+3a1,6b22+a1,7k2b22)x+(a2,3+a2,4k2+a1,3k22+a2,7b2+6a1,6k2b2+a1,7k22b2)x2+(a2,6+a2,7k2+3a1,6k22+13a1,7k23)x3(21)

τxyCD=(a3,0−a1,1b2−12a1,4b22−13a1,8b23)−(a2,2+ρ+a1,1k2+2a1,3b2+a1,4k2b2+a1,7b22+a1,8k2b22)x−(12a2,4+2a1,3k2+12a1,4k22+3a1,6b2+2a1,7k2b2+a1,8k22b2)x2−(13a2,7+3a1,6k2+a1,7k22+13a1,8k23)x3(22)

By substituting Eqs. (20)–(22) into the normal stress equations one obtains Eq. (23).

σNCD=l12σxxCD+m12σyyCD+2m1l1τxyCD(23)

where l1andm1 are the directional cosines of segment CD given as follows: l1=cos⁡(270∘+α4), m1=cos⁡(180∘+α4)

The normal force acting on segment CD can be obtained by integration in Eq. (24).

FN,CD=∫XDXCσNCDdl=∫XDXCσNCD1+k22dx(24)

The normal forces acting on segments BC and PD can be derived in a similar way. The equation for segment BC is in Eq. (25) and for PD is Eq. (26).

y=k3x+b3(25)

y=k4x+b4(26)

The resulting normal forces acting on segments BC and PD are in Eqs. (27) and (28), respectively.

FN,BC=∫XBXCσNBCdl=∫XBXCσNBC1+k32dx(27)

FN,PD=∫XPXDσNPDdl=∫XPXDσNPD1+k42dx(28)

3.3.2 Tangential Forces Acting on Segments CD and PD

The shear stresses between the landfill and the sliding bed are discontinuous. The frictional stresses along segment CD can be taken as the residual stress due to the sliding body with the landfill and expressed in Eq. (29).

ττCD=c+σNCDtan⁡φ(29)

where σNCD,c,andφ are the normal stress, cohesion, and residual frictional for segment CD, respectively. The cohesion along segment CD can be taken as zero for unconsolidated waste. Therefore, Eq. (29) reduces to Eq. (30).

ττCD=σNCDtan⁡φ(30)

By integrating Eq. (30), we obtain Eq. (31).

Tτ,CD=∫DCττCDdl=∫xDxCσNCDtan⁡φ1+k22dx(31)

Simplifying Eqs. (30) and (31) yields Eq. (32).

Tτ,CD=FN,CD⋅tan⁡φ(32)

The equation for segment PD is y=k4x+b4, and the tangential force acting on segment of PD is given in Eq. (33).

Tτ,PD=FN,PD⋅tan⁡φ(33)

3.3.3 Tangential Force Acting on Segment BC

The stresses between the landfill and the retaining wall are continuous. A similar method is adopted to calculate the shear stress along segment BC in Eq. (34), where l2=cos⁡(270∘−β−θ) and m2=cos⁡(360∘−β−θ).

ττBC=l2m2(σyyBC−σxxBC)+(l22−m22)τxyBC(34)

where l2andm2 are the directional cosines of segment BC. The resultant tangential force can be obtained by integrating Eq. (34) as in Eq. (35).

Tτ,BC=∫CBτNBCdl=∫XCXBτNBC1+k32dx(35)

3.3.4 Weight of Polygon ABCDP

The weight (W1) can be calculated using the area (S1) of the sliding body in Eq. (36).

S1=SABP+SPBD+SDBC(36)

as W1=S1γ1, where γ1 is the unit weight of the sliding body (polygon ABCDP).

3.4 Stress along Segment AP

The equation of boundary segment AP is in Eq. (37).

x=k5y+b5(37)

The shear stress resultant along segment AP can be assumed zero according to the Saint Venant principle shown in Eq. (38).

∫APτxydy=0(38)

3.5 Coefficients for Landfill Solution

If coefficients a1,0,a2,0,anda3,0 are assumed to be zero, their total number is reduced to 15 by using Eqs. (1-1)–(1-12) in Appendix. The 15 coefficients (a1,1, a1,2, a1,3, a1,4, a1,5, a1,6, a1,7, a1,8, a1,9, a2,1, a2,2, a2,3, a2,4, a2,6, and a2,7) can be obtained using Eqs. (2-1)–(2-12) in Appendix and Eqs. (17), (18), and (38). The stress solution coefficients are calculated by using the expressions for σxx,σyy,andτxy.

4  Theoretical Solution for Retaining Wall

The stresses acting on segments BC and CF of the retaining wall have been obtained. This section derives the stresses for the retaining wall assuming stress continuity between the landfill and the retaining wall. The coordinates used to analyze the retaining wall are shown Fig. 3.

Figure 3: 2D model of retaining wall

4.1 Stress Continuity along Boundary Segment BC

Stress equilibrium is assumed along segments BC and CF based on the continuity of stresses between the landfill and the retaining wall and between the retaining wall and its base.

The equation for segment BC is Eq. (39).

y′=k6x′+b6(39)

x=X1+x′,y=Y1+y′(40)

In Eq. (40), x′andy′ are the new coordinates, and X1andY1 are the coordinates of the origin of the new coordinate system with respect to the old coordinate system.

By combining Eqs. (39) and (40) with Eqs. (10)–(12), the normal and tangential stresses are calculated in Eqs. (41)–(43).

σxx=[a1,0+a1,1X1+a1,2(b6+Y1)+a1,3X12+a1,4(b6+Y1)X1+a1,5(b6+Y1)2+a1,6X13+a1,7(b6+Y1)X12+a1,8(b6+Y1)2X1+a1,9(b6+Y1)3]+{a1,1+a1,2k6+2a1,3X1+a1,4[(b6+Y1)+k6X1]+2a1,5k6(b6+Y1)+3a1,6X12+a1,7[k6X12+2(b6+Y1)X1]+a1,8[(b6+Y1)2+2k6X1(b6+Y1)]+3a1,9k6(b6+Y1)2}x′+{a1,3+a1,4k6+a1,5k62+3a1,6X1+a1,7[2k6X1+(b6+Y1)]+a1,8[2k6(b6+Y1)+k62X1]+3a1,9k62(b6+Y1)}x′2+(a1,6+a1,7k6+a1,8k62+a1,9k63)x′3(41)

σyy=[a2,0+a2,1X1+a2,2(b6+Y1)+a2,3X12+a2,4(b6+Y1)X1+a1,3(b6+Y1)2+a2,6X13+a2,7(b6+Y1)X12+3a1,6(b6+Y1)2X1+13a1,7(b6+Y1)3]+{a2,1+a2,2k6+2a2,3X1+a2,4[(b6+Y1)+k6X1]+2a1,3k6(b6+Y1)+3a2,6X12+a2,7[k6X12+2(b6+Y1)X1]+{a2,3+a2,4k6+a1,3k62+3a2,6X1+a2,7[2k6X1+(b6+Y1)]+3a1,6[2k6(b6+Y1)+k62X1]+a1,7k62(b6+Y1)}x′2+(a2,6+a2,7k6+3a1,6k62+13a1,7k63)x′3(42)

τxy=[a3,0−(a2,2+ρ1)X1−a1,1(b6+Y1)−12a2,4X12−2a1,3(b6+Y1)X1−12a1,4(b6+Y1)2−13a2,7X13−3a1,6(b6+Y1)X12−a1,7(b6+Y1)2X1−13a1,8(b6+Y1)3]−{(a2,2+ρ1)+a1,1k6+a2,4X1+2a1,3[(b6+Y1)+k6X1]+a1,4k6(b6+Y1)+a2,7X12+a1,7[(b6+Y1)2+2k6X1(b6+Y1)]+a1,8k6(b6+Y1)2}x′−{12a2,4+2a1,3k6+12a1,4k62+a2,7X1+3a1,6[2k6X1+(b6+Y1)]+a1,7[2k6(b6+Y1)+k62X1]+a1,8k62(b6+Y1)}x′2−(13a2,7+3a1,6k6+a1,7k62+13a1,8k63)x′3(43)

The stresses acting on the retaining wall are defined in the x′o′y′ coordinate system in Eqs. (44)–(46).

σx′x′=b1,0+b1,1x′+b1,2y′+b1,3x′2+b1,4x′y′+b1,5y′2+b1,6x′3+b1,7x′2y′+b1,8x′y′2+b1,9y′3(44)

σy′y′=b2,0+b2,1x′+b2,2y′+b2,3x′2+b2,4x′y′+b1,3y′2+b2,6x′3+b2,7x′2y′+3b1,6x′y′2+13b1,7y′3(45)

τx′y′=b3,0−(b2,2+γ2)x′−b1,1y′−12b2,4x′2−2b1,3x′y′−12b1,4y′2−13b2,7x′3−3b1,6x′2y′−b1,7x′y′2−13b1,8y′3(46)

where b1,i,b2,i,andb3,i (i = 0, 1, …, 9) are the constant coefficients; σx′x′,σy′y′,andτx′y′ are the stresses along x’- and y’- directions and the shear stress, respectively; and γ2 is the specific weight of the retaining wall.

Eq. (39) is substituted into Eq. (44) to yield Eq. (47).

σx′x′=(b1,0+b1,2b6+b1,5b62+b1,9b63)+(b1,1+b1,2k6+b1,4b6+2b1,5k6b6+b1,8b62+3b1,9k6b62)x′+(b1,3+b1,4k6+b1,5k62+b1,7b6+2b1,8k6b6+3b1,9k62b6)x′2+(b1,6+b1,7k6+b1,8k62+b1,9k63)x′3(47)

Eqs. (3-1)–(3-4) in Appendix can be obtained assuming σx′x′=−σxx and using Eqs. (41)–(47). The same method is used assuming σy′y′=−σyy and τx′y′=−τxy to obtain Eqs. (3-5)–(3-12) in Appendix.

4.2 Force Balance of Retaining Wall

The forces acting on the retaining wall include the normal and tangential forces along segment BC (FN,BC′andTτ,BC′) and segment CF (FN,CF′andTτ,CF′), and weight (W2) (see Fig. 4). The force equilibrium in the x′- and y′-directions must be satisfied.

∑Fx′=0:FN,BC′⋅sin⁡(β+θ)−Tτ,BC′⋅cos⁡(β+θ)−FN,CF′⋅sin⁡θ−Tτ,CF′⋅cos⁡θ=0(48)

∑Fy′=0:FN,BC′⋅cos⁡(β+θ)+Tτ,BC′⋅sin⁡(β+θ)−FN,CF′⋅cos⁡θ+Tτ,CF′⋅sin⁡θ+W2=0(49)

In Eqs. (48) and (49), FN,BC′,Tτ,BC′,FN,CF′,andTτ,CF′ are the normal and tangential forces acting on planes BC and CF, respectively; W2 is the weight per unit thickness of quadrilateral BCFE, and βandθ are the angles shown in Fig. 4.

Figure 4: Force acting on retaining wall

The calculation statements are presented in the following form:

4.2.1 Normal Forces along Segments BC and CF

Eq. (50) for the retaining wall can be obtained using Eqs. (44)–(46).

σN′BC=l42σx′x′BC+m42σy′y′BC+2m4l4τx′y′BC(50)

where l4andm4 are the directional cosines of segment BC of the retaining wall, and

l4=cos⁡(270∘−β−θ),m4=cos⁡(360∘−β−θ)

The normal force acting on boundary segment BC of the retaining wall is obtained by integrating Eq. (51).

FN,BC′=∫xB′xC′σN′BCdl=∫xB′xC′σN′BC1+k62dx′(51)

The normal stress on boundary segment CF is in Eq. (52).

y′=k7x′+b7(52)

σN′CF=l52σ′x′x′CF+m52σ′y′y′CF+2m5l5τx′y′CF(53)

In Eq. (53), l5andm5 are the directional cosines of segment CF of the retaining wall, and l5=cos⁡(270∘−θ),m5=cos⁡(360∘−θ).

The normal force acting on boundary segment CF of the retaining wall is obtained by integrating Eq. (53), as shown in Eq. (54).

FN,CF′=∫xC′xF′σN′CFdl=∫xC′xF′σN′CF1+k72dx′(54)

4.2.2 Tangential Forces along Segments BC and CF

A similar approach is adopted for calculating the tangential forces along segments BC and CF of the retaining wall in Eq. (55).

ττ′BC=l4m4(σy′y′BC−σx′x′BC)+(l42−m42)τx′y′BC(55)

The tangential force acting on boundary segment BC can be achieved by integrating Eq. (55) in Eq. (56).

Tτ,BC′=∫xC′xB′τN′BCdl=∫xC′xB′τN′BC1+k62dx′(56)

The shear stress acting on segment CF is in Eq. (57).

ττ′CF=l5m5(σy′y′CF−σx′x′CF)+(l52−m52)τx′y′CF(57)

The tangential force acting on boundary segment CF is found by integrating Eq. (57) as shown in Eq. (58).

Tτ,CF′=∫xC′xF′τN′CFdl=∫xC′xF′τN′CF1+k72dx′(58)

4.2.3 Weight and Barycentric Coordinate of Retaining Wall

The barycentric coordinates of triangles BEC and EFC are denoted as I and J, respectively. The barycentric coordinates (M(xM′,yM′)) of trapezoid BCFE can be obtained and the weight (W2) can be calculated using the area (S2) of the retaining wall, shown in Eq. (59) and Fig. 5.

S2=SBEC+SEFC(59)

Figure 5: Retaining wall barycentric coordinate determination

The weight per unit thickness of the retaining wall is W2=S2γ2. The moment of weight per unit thickness (MW2) of the retaining wall is W2⋅(xM′−xZ′). Z(xZ′,yZ′) is the point with respect to which the moment is calculated.

4.3 Moment Balance of Retaining Wall

Point Z(xZ′,yZ′) for considering the moment equilibrium is selected and line ZG from point Z perpendicular to line BC is drawn, which it intersects at point G. Similarly, line ZP from point Z and perpendicular to line CF is drawn. The equations of straight lines ZG and ZP are Eqs. (60) and (61).

y′=k8x′+b8(60)

y′=k9x′+b9(61)

Moments MW2,MBG,MCG,MBC,MCP,MPF,andMCF, shown in Fig. 6, can be obtained.