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The factor of safety against overturning should be at least two. 2 Sliding - The wall will slide if the lateral thrust exceeds the frictional resistance developed between the base of the wall and the soil. The factor of safety against sliding should be about two.

There are various types of loads and forces acting on retaining wall, which are: Lateral earth pressure. Surcharge loads. Axial loads.

Rules of thumb commonly used by designers to establish the geometry of the wall include (refer to diagram): Base width = 1/2 to 1/3 of the height of the wall. Base thickness = 1/8 of the height of the wall but not less than 12 inches. Stem thickness = 6 inches + ¼ inch for each foot of wall height.

Rules of thumb commonly used by designers to establish the geometry of the wall include (refer to diagram): Base width = 1/2 to 1/3 of the height of the wall. Base thickness = 1/8 of the height of the wall but not less than 12 inches. Stem thickness = 6 inches + ¼ inch for each foot of wall height.

Retaining walls are designed to restrain soil, or engineering fill, at an angle steeper than the material's angle of repose – the steepest angle it can hold naturally, without failing. To do this, they need to be able to withstand the horizontal – or lateral – earth pressure, exerted by the material being retained.

The common signs for retaining wall failure are often cracking, tilting, bulging, bowing or buckling. Fractures in the wall can often prevent the structure from retaining the soil. At this point, the wall may be retrofitted with reinforcements like anchor bolts to rectify bowing before a total collapse.

For stability, a retaining wall should satisfy the following conditions: The wall should be stable against sliding. The factor of safety against sliding should be minimum of 1.5. The wall should be stable against overturning. For granular backfill, the factor of safety against overturning shall be minimum of 1.5.

What should I consider when designing a retaining wall? When designing a retaining wall, there are seven factors to consider: materials, type of wall, design or on-site placement, drainage, foundations, cant or batter, and anchors or “deadmen”.