Efficiency of Retaining Wall Structures Incorporating Stress Relieving Shelves

The aim of this study is to optimize the use of relief shelves for minimum lateral pressure and to study the economic aspects of providing shelves. The study is conducted in two parts, first analytical approach by conventional methods and then Finite Element Method of analysis using STAAD Pro. The analytical study shows that the pressure can be reduced to a maximum of 42.53% using single shelf and 62.28% using two shelves. The FEM analysis showed that the deflection of stem slab is reduced by 92.83% using one shelf and 95.18% by providing two shelves. The stresses on shelves increases to very high value if the width of shelf is increased by ‘0.3h’, where ‘h’ effective height of soil backfill above shelf.