Patent ID: 7896582
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: E02D

Abstract:
1. A retaining wall, comprising: a vertical stem wall section; a base section positioned below the vertical stem wall section, wherein the base section includes a heel portion that extends horizontally outwards from the stem wall section and wherein the heel portion has an outer vertical edge at an end of the heel portion and a top surface and a bevel at a top, outer edge thereof, wherein the bevel has a first edge that meets the outer vertical edge of the heel and a second edge on the top surface positioned between the outer vertical edge and the vertical stem wall section; and wherein the bevel has an angle, β, selected such that when the base has zero deflection, the bevel angle β satisfies the relations: where, A A A z z K″ K K β=180−β′=bevel angle; α=local slip surface at the bevel; δ=concrete friction angle with soil at the bevel; φ=internal friction angle of the soil; and ε=is the angle of the backfill behind the retaining wall.