Professional Engineering Continuing Education

P.E.C.E.  [ www.pece.biz ]

Lateral Soil Pressure & Retaining Structures [Four (4) Continuing Education Hours]

Lecturer:  Saad-Eldin Elbedwihy, P.E.

Learning Objectives: Normally, Soil is the ultimate supporting material to all man made structures. On a transitional elevation changes (ramp like or hills) of slopes varying according to soil parameters and its own strength factors, soil can naturally adjust its own position, its particles may interact to get to a stable position. The health, safety, and welfare of the general public, and the value of the structure, become most critical.

(I). General discussion and overview;

1). Introduction to soil cuts, objectives and nature of the problem.

2). Methods of stabilizing soil cuts.

3). Types of soil cuts.

(II). Qualitative understanding of the problem & the solution;

4). Loads acting on a retaining structure / wall, in general.

5). Modes of failure.

6). Types of lateral soil pressure, practical meaning and mathematical formulae.

7). Types and effect(s) of surcharge.

8). “AASHTO” design requirements & recommendations.

9). Practical considerations;

a). Maximum soil cut without sheeting requirement, “OSHA”.

b). Utility trench sheeting, design criteria & allowable stresses.

c). Highway traffic surcharge & approximation of surcharges.

d). Water tight, versus non-water-tight retaining structures.

e). Change of load configuration, active / passive switching in certain cases.

10). Practical approach to resolve real problems.

III). Numerical examples;

1). “at rest” soil pressure, effect on soil bearing pressure calculation in layered soil.

2). Exact soil pressure values on sheet pile, in layered soil C- soil with ground water.

3). Complete design calculation of retaining wall, critical sections and design values.

[NYS Approved for PE and Architect (HSW) continuing education hours]

Four (4) Continuing Education Hours