Quick stability check (sliding, overturning, bearing) for gravity and cantilever-type retaining walls with
Rankine or custom K, surcharge, water and simplified seismic. Per metre length of wall.
Export the current retaining wall stability calculation.
This is a quick global stability check. It does not replace detailed geotechnical
investigation, structural RC design or full seismic / dynamic analysis.
Retaining wall geometry – quick rules‑of‑thumb
1. Gravity walls
Base width Bw ≈ 0.4–0.7 H for typical granular backfill.
Resultant under service load should lie within the middle third of the base.
Use larger Bw if low bearing capacity, high water table, significant seismic, or heavy surcharge.
2. Cantilever walls (heel + toe)
Base width B = Btoe + tstem + Bheel ≈ 0.5–0.8 H.
Toe length Btoe ≈ 0.2–0.35 H.
Heel length Bheel ≈ 0.3–0.6 H (larger when bearing capacity is low).
Stem thickness tstem at base ≈ 0.07–0.1 H (check RC design).
Base slab thickness tbase ≈ 0.08–0.12 H.
3. L‑shaped and Inverted L
L‑shaped: heel is very small or zero (Bheel ≈ 0–0.1H), base mostly in front.
Inverted L: toe is very small or zero (Btoe ≈ 0–0.3H), base mostly under backfill.
Common for flood walls, basement walls and when excavation space is limited on one side.
4. Safety factors (typical preliminary values)
Sliding FS ≥ 1.5 (higher for seismic).
Overturning FS ≥ 2.0.
Bearing FS (qallow / qmax) ≥ 3.0.
Always check the relevant design code (IS, EN, ACI, local standards) for project‑specific criteria.