Investigation of cantilever retaining walls constructed in Turkey highways.

In this study, cantilever retaining walls constructed near the highways were investigated according to real project values. Twenty-eight retaining wall projects applied in the site at different regions of Turkey such as Central Anatolia, Marmara and Black Sea were considered. The value of surcharge load, depth of foundation, ground water level, surface slope of soil and wall height were chosen as variable parameters, although properties of base soil, granular backfill and natural soil were considered as constant parameters. Theoretical calculations of factor of safeties were completed against overturning, sliding and bearing capacity according to each case as well as twodimensional finite element models were solved in Plaxis software to find the maximum horizontal deformations. Rankine active and passive earth pressure theories were used to make static analysis of cantilever walls. If the surcharge load, surface slope of soil, height of wall and ground water level increases, the stability conditions depending on factor of safeties decreases due to results. In addition, a deeper depth of foundation increases the factor of safeties against sliding and bearing capacity, while it does not affect the overturning behavior. The location of ground water stands out as a dominant parameter rather than other external factors. Therefore, the design height of reinforced concrete cantilever retaining wall is not proposed in which taller than 15m due to unsecure and uneconomical conditions, even if other criteria are met. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]