TECHNICAL NOTES

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

ENGINEERING #21 SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
August, 2011

Gravity Block Wall Design Tool

for
Ecology Block
and
Ultra Block size material

Workbook prepared by: Sally Bredeweg, State Design Engineer

NRCS, Spokane, WA

Purpose
The purpose of this workbook is to provide the technician/engineer with a tool to
assess the structural stability of a gravity block wall used in agricultural production.

Application
These spreadsheets allow the user to check the stability analysis of overturning and
sliding of a planned gravity block wall. Note: The bearing capacity and buoyancy of
the site need to be evaluated during the inventory and evaluation process.

Recommendation
Print out a hard copy of the final gravity block wall scenario
as evaluated for the customer file.
 Overview

NRCS Washington State Technical Note - Design Tool

For a Gravity Block Waste Storage Facility Retaining Wall
Using Precast Interlocking Concrete Blocks

Two worksheets are attached (Ecology block and Ultrablock) with design analysis equations.

To begin, select the tab for the type of gravity block to be used.
1 Select desired number of ecology blocks stacked in vertical wall

2 Select a number of ecology blocks to be backfilled (if any)

3 Define the maximum depth of waste to be stored against the retaining wall

Four types of stability analysis should be considered for every structure:

► Bearing Capacity Inventory evaluation
► Buoyancy Site evaluation
► Overturning Calculated
► Sliding Calculated

► Bearing Capacity Analysis

Bearing capacity is the load carrying capability of the soil to resist
loading without shearing. The maximum pressure is the weight of the
structure and the weight of all material permanently or temporarily
attached to or over the structure.
Blocks will be stacked on a concrete slab base for waste management
purposes. The slab design must meet the waste storage and working
loads bearing capacity. Thus the design of a waste storage facility dry
stack slab needs to include an analysis of the bearing capacity of the
site foundation soils that will support the gravity block wall. The site
bearing capacity will not be addressed in this technical note but
must be part of the site inventory and engineering design
evaluation.

► Buoyancy Analysis
Buoyancy is the relationship of the hydrostatic uplift forces acting to float
the structure compared to the downward gravity forces due to the
weight of the structure and weight of all material permanently attached
to or over the structure.

Gravity block retaining wall structures for waste storage facilities

will not be designed for situations with seasonal high or normal
groundwater within the backfill or foundation. Thus buoyancy
design will not be calculated as ground water shall not be present
to create uplift forces.

See criteria, Waste Storage Facility, 313 Practice Standard, for Fabricated
Structures, Foundation. "Foundations consisting of bedrock with joints,
fractures, or solution channels shall be treated, or a separation distance
(from groundwater) provided consisting of a minimum of 1 foot of
impermeable soil between the floor slab and the bedrock or an alternative
that will achieve equal (groundwater) protection."

Page 2 of 13
 Overview

REFERENCES:

1 NRCS TR 74, LATERAL EARTH PRESSURES

A. IX. STRUCTURAL STABILITY CONCEPTS, PAGE 79 - A. OVERTURNING
Retaining walls should have a minimum factor of safety of 1.5 against
overturning; higher safety factors may be justified in some cases,
depending on the uncertainties of the soils and site conditions.
B. IX. STRUCTURAL STABILITY CONCEPTS, PAGE 82 - B. SLIDING
Retaining walls should have a minimum factor of safety of 1.5 against
sliding. (Cohesion will be neglected in the resistance to sliding with this
configuration and this factor of safety.)

2 IBC 2006, SECTION 1806, RETAINING WALLS

1806.1, General
Retaining walls shall be designed to ensure stability against overturning, sliding,
excessive foundation pressure (bearing capacity) and water uplift (buoyancy).
Retaining walls shall be designed for a safety factor of 1.5 against lateral sliding
and overturning

3 NRCS, PRACTICE STANDARD - CODE 313, WASTE STORAGE FACILITY

A. General criteria applicable to all waste storage facilities
i. Location.
Facilities should be located outside of floodplains. However, if site
restrictions require location within a floodplain, they shall be protected
from inundation or damage from a 25-year flood event, or larger if
required by laws, rules, and regulations.
ii. Additional criteria for fabricated structures, Structural Loadings.

Internal lateral pressure used for design shall be 65lb/ft3 where the
stored waste is not protected from precipitation. A value of 60 lb/ft3 may
be used where the stored waste is protected from precipitation and will
not become saturated. Lesser values may be used if supported by
measurement of actual pressures of the waste to be stored.

Page 3 of 13
 Ecology block

Ecology Block Wall ► Overturning Analysis Legend Select input-unlocked

► Sliding Analysis Calculated-locked

Lock-Block Cross-Section Dimensions Gravity lock block weight Weight (lbs) per foot of
Type Width, ft Height, ft Standard Block standard block length
Ecology Block 2 2 3550 lbs for 6 ft block 592 lb/ft of block

Definition of Point 'A' for reference: Point 'A' is the unsupported, outside base of the block wall,
about which overturning can occur.
► Overturning Analysis
Overturning moments will act on the structure in the direction of potential overturning.
Resisting moments will act on a structure opposite the direction of potential overturning.

The factor of safety is the relationship between the overturning and resisting moments.

FS   ResistingMom ents
 OverturnMo ments
NRCS TR 74 and IBC 2006, OVERTURNING factor of safety ≥ 1.5

Given: Density of the stored waste material 65 pcf

Impact Load This represents equipment impact loads from a fork lift or a front loader acting on
the wall, moving stored waste material in and out of the bins. For design purposes,
an equipment impact point load on the gravity block retaining wall face will be
assumed at 30 inches (2.5 feet) below the top of the maximum stack height. This
input is a variable that can range from 20 lbs., for hand held equipment, to 1000 lbs.
for larger mechanical equipment. If this value is unknown, a fork lift impact load of
200 lbs acting horizontally on the wall section, is a reasonable assumption.

Surcharge load It will be assumed that equipment operating on a stack higher than 5 ft. will exert a
surcharge load in the vertical direction. This input variable can be based on the plan
of operations. For design purposes, this surcharge load can range from 0 lbs., for no
mechanical equipment, to 1000 lbs for large equipment. If this value is unknown, a
reasonable surcharge load of 200 lbs. (equivalent of 2 ft. of compacted soil) is
recommended.

For this design analysis, values for the following loads must be selected:

Impact load The block wall will experience a horizontal impact load from equipment = X-direction
Minimum value = 20 lbs Range: 20 lbs/ft to 1000 lbs/ft of wall
Equipment impact load on wall 200 lbs/ft of block wall
With point of impact on wall located at 2.5 ft from top of waste pile or at top of wall.

Surcharge load There will be equipment surcharge vertical load on waste pile = Y-direction
Used when waste is stacked higher than 5 feet and equipment must up on the pile.
Surcharge Load = 2 ft. * soil weight lb. = 2*soil wt., lb.
Common value used = soil weight = 100 lbs

Page 4 of 13
 Ecology block

Equipment surcharge load 100 lbs.

Range: 0 lbs. to 1000 lbs.

Figure 1

Overturning

Overturning Analysis about Point A

Point A is located at the outside toe of the wall.
If backfill is placed level behind the wall, Point A is at the top of the last block completely backfilled.

Number of ecology blocks stacked in vertical wall 2 # blocks in wall

(above point A)
(H + F) in diagram
Maximum depth of waste to be stored against retaining wall 4 FT
(above point A)
If heavy equipment is operating on pile, Surcharge Moment for Overturning 0 FT-LB
(assumed in effect - only when pile is greater than 5 feet high)

Resisting Moment = weight of wall * 0.5 * width

1184 FT-LB

Overturning Moment = (1/6*density*(H+F)^3) + (Impact force*(H+F-2.5)) + Surcharge*(1/2(H+F)^2, if H+F>5)

993 FT-LB

► Overturning FS = 1.192
Safety Analysis

Overturning Factor of Safety (FS) Check

FS≥1.5, OK or Not OK

Page 5 of 13
 Ecology block

Not OK

► Sliding Analysis
Relationship of the driving forces act on a structure in the direction of potential sliding
compared to the resisting forces act on a structure opposite the reaction of potential sliding.

Given: Sliding analysis considered for two cases: Case A (full bin) and Case B (empty bin)

The factor of safety is the relationship between the resisting forces and the driving forces.

NRCS TR 74 and IBC 2006, SLIDING factor of safety ≥ 1.5

FS  ∑ Re sistingForces
∑ DrivingForces
CASE A The bin area against the wall is full. Resisting and driving forces are calculated from
the elevation of the last block fully backfilled on the slab surface.

1) Density of stored waste material retained by the wall in this analysis is based on if
the manure solids are protected from precipitation, Value from Overturning Analysis
Density of stored waste 65 pcf

Assume Friction factor for concrete-to-concrete (f), in Portland Cement Association (PCA)
and Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) Design Handbook for dry
conditions is 0.80. PCA's Concrete Masonry Handbook gives a precast concrete-to-
concrete masonry friction coefficient of 0.4 based on a safety factor of two.
However, the typical design conditions for this analysis are assumed to be wet.
Given the wet conditions for this analysis half of the dry condition friction factor will
be used, f = 0.4.

Figure 2

Sliding - Case A
Bin Full

Page 6 of 13
 Ecology block

Resisting Forces = weight of wall * f 473.6 LB. Case A Sliding

(Surcharge, S - only when pile is greater than 5 feet high) F.S. = 0.658
Driving Forces = (1/2*density*(H+F)^2)+S+Impact= 720.0 LB Not OK
* If NOT OK Consider installing a 12" high x 8" wide curb
or Backfill half way up the back side of the block.

Sliding, Case B
NRCS TR 74 and IBC 2006, SLIDING factor of safety ≥ 1.5

FS 
∑ Re sistingForces
∑ DrivingForces
Case B The bin area against the wall is empty. Backfill is placed behind the gravity block
retaining wall. The backfill material is filled level to the height identified above.

For this design analysis, values for the following elements must be confirmed:

Backfill density Density characteristics for backfill can be specified, however a commonly
acceptable backfill density is 120 lb/cu. Ft. 120 pcf

Backfill surcharge A surcharge load is added to the backfill to account for equipment operating near
the wall. A typical equipment surcharge is equal to an additional weight of 2 feet of
earthfill material. Range: 200 lbs. to 1000 lbs.
Surcharge load 200 lbs.

Assume Friction factor for concrete-to-concrete, f = 0.4;

(same as Case A, item 2 discussion above)

Figure 3

Sliding - Case B
Bin Empty

1) Total number of ecology blocks stacked vertically in the lock block wall, as selected above.
2 plus fully backfilled blocks: 1

Page 7 of 13
 Ecology block

2) Select the depth to which the ecology block wall will be backfilled.
Backfilled above toe of wall 1.25 Portion of blocks backfilled

Resisting Forces = weight of wall * f 710.4 LB. Case B Sliding

F.S. = 1.822
Driving Forces= (0.39*density*depth^2*1/2) + (0.39*S*depth^2*1/2) = 390.0 LB. OK

Summary Ecology Block Wall Design

Factor of Safety
► Overturning 1.192 Not OK

► Sliding - Bin Full, Case A 0.658 Not OK

If overturning FS is OK and FS for sliding from point A < 1.5, can install a 12 inch high x 8 inch wide curb
or backfill half way up the back side of the block.
► Sliding - Bin Empty, Case B 1.822 OK

Page 8 of 13
 Ultrablock

Ultrablock Wall ► Overturning Analysis Legend Select input-unlocked

► Sliding Analysis Calculated-locked

Lock-Block Cross-Section Dimensions Gravity lock block weight Weight (lbs) per foot of
Type Width, ft Height, ft Standard Block standard block length
Ultrablock 2.5 2.5 4320 lbs for 5 ft block 864 lb/ft of block

Definition of Point 'A' for reference: Point 'A' is the unsupported, outside base of the block wall,
about which overturning can occur.
► Overturning Analysis
Overturning moments will act on the structure in the direction of potential overturning.
Resisting moments will act on a structure opposite the direction of potential overturning.

The factor of safety is the relationship between the overturning and resisting moments.

FS   ResistingMom ents
 OverturnMo ments
NRCS TR 74 and IBC 2006, OVERTURNING factor of safety ≥ 1.5

Given: Density of the stored waste material 65 pcf

Impact Load
Equipment impact loads from a fork lift or a front loader will act on the wall moving
stored waste material in and out of the bins. For design purposes, an equipment
impact point load on the gravity block retaining wall face is assumed at 30 inches
(2.5 feet) below the top of the maximum stack height. This input is a variable that can
range from 20 lbs., for hand held equipment, to 1000 lbs. for larger mechanical
equipment. If this is value is unknown, a fork lift impact load of 200 lbs acting
horizontally on the wall section, is a reasonable assumption.

Surcharge load
It will be assumed that equipment operating on a stack higher than 5 ft. will exert a
surcharge load in the vertical direction. This input variable can be based on the plan
of operations. For design purposes, this surcharge load can range from 0 lbs., for no
mechanical equipment, to 1000 lbs for large equipment. If this value is unknown, a
reasonable surcharge load of 200 lbs. (equivalent of 2 ft. of compacted soil) is
recommended.

For this design analysis, values for the following loads must be selected:

Impact load The block wall will experience a horizontal impact load from equipment = X-direction
Minimum value = 20 lbs Range: 20 lbs/ft to 1000 lbs/ft of wall
Equipment impact load on wall 50 lbs/ft of block wall
With point of impact on wall located at 2.5 ft from top of waste pile or at top of wall.

Surcharge load There will be equipment surcharge vertical point load on waste pile = Y-direction
Used when waste is stacked higher than 5 feet and equipment must up on the pile.
Surcharge Load = 2 ft. * soil weight lb. = 2*soil wt., lb.
Common value used = soil weight = 100 lbs
Equipment surcharge load 200 lbs

Page 9 of 13
 Ultrablock

Range: 0 lbs. to 1000 lbs.

Figure 1

Overturning

Overturning Analysis about Point A

Point A is located at the outside toe of the wall.
If backfill is placed level behind the wall, Point A is at the top of the last block completely backfilled.

Number of ecology blocks stacked in vertical wall 2 # blocks in wall

(above point A)
(H + F) in diagram
Maximum depth of waste to be stored against retaining wall 5 FT
(above point A)
If heavy equipment is operating on pile, Surcharge Moment for Overturning 0 FT-LB
(assumed in effect - only when pile is greater than 5 feet high)

Resisting Moment = weight of wall * 0.5 * width

2160 FT-LB

Overturning Moment = (1/18*density*(H+F)^3) + (Impact force*(H+F-2.5)) + Surcharge*(1/2(H+F) if H+F>4)

576 FT-LB

► Overturning FS = 3.750
Safety Analysis

Overturning Factor of Safety (FS) Check

FS≥1.5, OK or Not OK

Page 10 of 13
 Ultrablock

OK

► Sliding Analysis
Relationship of the driving forces act on a structure in the direction of potential sliding
compared to the resisting forces act on a structure opposite the reaction of potential sliding.

Given: Sliding analysis considered for two cases: Case A (full bin) and Case B (empty bin)

The factor of safety is the relationship between the resisting forces and the driving forces.

NRCS TR 74 and IBC 2006, SLIDING factor of safety ≥ 1.5

FS  ∑ Re sistingForces
∑ DrivingForces
CASE A The bin area against the wall is full. Resisting and driving forces are calculated from
the elevation of the last block fully backfilled or the slab surface.

1) Density of stored waste material retained by the wall in this analysis is based on if it
is protected from precipitation. (Value from Overturning Analysis above)
Density of stored waste 65 pcf

Assume
Friction factor for concrete-to-concrete (f), in Portland Cement Association (PCA) and
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) Design Handbook for dry conditions is
0.80. PCA's Concrete Masonry Handbook gives a precast concrete-to-concrete
masonry friction coefficient of 0.4 based on a safety factor of two. However, the
typical design conditions for this analysis are assumed to be wet. Given the wet
conditions for this analysis half of the dry condition friction factor will be used, f = 0.4.

Figure 2

Sliding - Case A
Bin Full

Page 11 of 13
 Ultrablock

Resisting Forces = weight of wall * f 691.2 LB. Case A Sliding

(Surcharge, S - only when pile is greater than 5 feet high) F.S. = 0.801
Driving Forces = (1/2*density*(H+F)^2)+S+Impact= 862.5 LB Not OK
* If NOT OK Consider installing a 12" high x 8" wide curb
or Backfill half way up the back side of the block.

Sliding, Case B
NRCS TR 74 and IBC 2006, SLIDING factor of safety ≥ 1.5

FS  ∑ Re sistingForces
∑ DrivingForces
Case B The bin area against the wall is empty. Backfill is placed behind the gravity block
retaining wall. The backfill material is filled level to the height identified above.

For this design analysis, values for the following elements must be confirmed:

Backfill density Density characteristics for backfill can be specified, however a commonly
acceptable backfill density is 120 lb/cu. Ft. 120 pcf

Backfill surcharge A surcharge load is added to the backfill to account for equipment operating near the
wall. A typical equipment surcharge is equal to an additional weight of 2 feet of
earthfill material. Range: 200 lbs. to 1000 lbs.
Surcharge load 200 lbs.

Assume Friction factor for concrete-to-concrete, f = 0.4;

(same as Case A, item 2 discussion above)

Figure 3

Sliding - Case B
Bin Empty

1) Total number of Ultrablocks stacked vertically in the lock block wall, as selected above.
2 plus fully backfilled blocks: 0

Page 12 of 13
 Ultrablock

2) Select the depth to which the ecology block wall will be backfilled.
Backfilled above toe of wall 1 Portion of blocks backfilled

Resisting Forces = weight of wall * f 691.2 LB. Case B Sliding

F.S. = 1.772
Driving Forces= (0.39*density*depth^2*1/2) + (0.39*S*depth^2*1/2) = 390.0 LB. OK

Summary Ultrablock Wall Design

Factor of Safety
► Overturning 3.750 OK

► Sliding - Bin Full, Case A 0.801 Not OK

If overturning FS is OK and FS for sliding from point A < 1.5, can install a 12 inch high x 8 inch wide curb
or backfill half way up the back side of the block.
► Sliding - Bin Empty, Case B 1.772 OK

Note: Check to make sure that the final design scenarios for overturning and
sliding (full) and sliding (empty) all represent your design conditions.

Page 13 of 13