Design Method for Frozen‐Soil Retaining Wall

Abstract

A design method for a frozen‐soil retaining wall is presented based on the flexural theory. The method assumes that the frozen wall behaves as a cantilever retaining wall under lateral earth pressure. Because of the complex nature of a frozen soil, the main purpose of the design method is to determine the required thickness of the frozen wall so that its creep stress, creep strain, and creep deflection are within safety limits. Since a frozen soil behaves differently under tensile and compressive stresses, the method uses both tensile and compressive material properties of the frozen soil in computing flexural stresses and strains. Equations developed previously are extensively simplified and made more suitable for design purposes. Design charts are developed to enhance the design process. Assumptions and safety factors in the design process are also discussed, and a design example is presented.