Teaching Retaining Wall Design with Case Histories

This paper presents the implementation of a unique case history to conclude a teaching module for the design of retaining walls directed towards undergraduate civil engineering students. The initial portion of the module introduces students to different methods of analysis for assessing lateral loads and the general stability of the wall against sliding, overturning and bearing capacity failure. To conclude this segment, students are asked to complete the design of a retaining wall as part of a project. One such design calls for the design of a structure to retain an 8-meter fill section supporting a parking area next to a shopping center. This project allows students to: (1) assess the stability of the original walls which failed, (2) determine the probable cause of failure, (3) design new reinforced concrete cantilever walls, (4) suggest alternatives designs using MSE and SRW, and (4) learn to recognize difficulties resulting from undue haste and economic pressures. Overall, most students have benefitted from the use of this case history. With some help, it has allowed them to demonstrate their understanding of lateral earth pressures and computer skills in determining the failure mechanism(s) for an interesting retaining wall configuration.