RedVector RV-3808

Retaining Wall Design - Part 2

Retaining Wall Design - Part 2

2 hrs. Online Course

Level: Intermediate

Item#: RV-3808

SME: Rob Oleck

This 2-hour online course is part 2 of a two part series on analyzing and designing cantilever type retaining wall structures. The purpose of these walls is to hold back or support soil banks, and other storage materials such as coal, gravel, etc. at a higher elevation on one side of the wall than the other side. Part 1 described the process of determining the stability of this type of structure, while this part is involved with determining the internal forces and stresses of the cantilever retaining structure and selecting sizes and spacing of steel reinforcing and dimensions of a reinforced concrete cantilever retaining wall. Appropriate sections and equations of the American Concrete Institute's ACI318 (latest edition) will be referenced in the design process.

Due to the extensive amount of math used in this course, it is presented in a Word document format which must be downloaded by the student. There is a test at the end of this course.


Vector Solutions has a long history of providing industry-specific content for its customers. While this course and its content remain accurate and functional within our systems, the look and feel may not match our more modern offerings.
Course Objectives

After the completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Calculate shear and bending moments at critical sections in a cantilever retaining wall
  • Determine the size and spacing and location of steel reinforcing for the stem and footing parts of the cantilever retaining wall
  • Determine the required 28 day compressive strength of the concrete, the thickness of the stem and footing parts of the cantilever retaining wall
  • Specify backfill and drainage requirements for a cantilever retaining wall
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: Rob Oleck
Rob Oleck Photo
Dr. Oleck is an independent consulting structural engineer living in Orlando, Florida. He is presently involved in the structural analysis and design of various building structures in and around the Florida area, including hotels, apartment buildings, industrial structures, naval facilities, and specialty structures for the amusement parks. Other past experience includes the analysis and design of various nuclear and hydro-electric power structures including reinforced concrete and earthen dams, and many special nuclear power plant structures.
Dr. Oleck has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Civil Engineering at Syracuse University, where he earned his Ph.D., teaching Engineering Mechanics, Reinforced Concrete Design, and Seismic Analysis and Design. He has also published many technical papers in the fields of structural dynamics, seismic analysis, soil-structure-interaction and design of structures using Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF).
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