Confusion over a retaining wall question
When you are given soil pressure and the total lateral load on a retaining wall, you calculate the height of the wall using the formula
P=1/2 x soil pressure x square of height
My question is: is this height inclusive of the footing?
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Hi Deepannita,
The formula is the area of a triangle, except that your base is a function of both the height and the force (soil weight) acting on the wall one-third up from base. Ben Norkin @ Hyperfine explains it best, but if you are not signed up on his website, you may see it here on a webinar he presented for AIA NJ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH5tEj10Nsk
Towards the end, you would see it.
Good Luck!
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You want to follow the question and understand what is requested. If the foundation is included in the drawing and dimensions are provided, or, if it is implied that you source for it within the given information, then you include it. But, If it is not shown and no reference is made to it, then it is not relevant, so, just proceed to resolve the problem with the information provided. It is important to not over think the questions. I signed up with Elif too and I see the question, I believe she added the twist to prep. us for curved balls that may show up in the exam.
I hope this helps.
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