Ultimate limit state design of retaining walls with numerical methods

This paper presents a comparison between the results obtained from simple empirical approaches, and full Finite Element Methods using Eurocode 7 (EC7) for the design of supported excavations. It shows the influence of the current different EC7 implementation strategies for the use of partial factors when using Design Approach 1, both for Combination 1, where the action effects are factored at the end of the calculations, and also for Combination 2, where the soil strength parameters need to be factored and procedures are less clear. The influence of different factors in the results is highlighted for structural forces supported walls with increasing excavation depth and number of props. It shows the differences in prop loads obtained from FEM and empirical approaches and illustrates the challenges that designers face when using EC7.