Plastic design of embedded retaining walls

A systematic approach to the plastic limit state design of embedded retaining walls is described and exemplified by the design of singly-propped retaining walls. By considering the wall moment, the prop force and the embedment depth as design parameters, the proposed methodology identifies all possible combinations of these parameters. Secondly, with the full multitude of feasible plastic designs available, the question of which design is more suitable in terms of the serviceability limit state is addressed. Finally, the classic limit equilibrium approach to retaining wall design is revisited and a set of active and passive earth pressure coefficients with a verified accuracy of +/- 1%