Application guide
WallBermCalc
Retaining-wall, berm, tie and stability checks.
What this tool does
Retaining-wall, berm, tie and stability checks. This guide describes the main workflow, key information and stated limits to review when using the tool.
Application version: v13.
Set up the wall and berm
- Enter wall and footing geometry, retained-side soil layers, groundwater and surface surcharge.
- Define berm height, slope and toe dimensions on the passive side. Add base embedment and choose whether toe passive resistance is included.
- Enter the optional tie or top-prop stiffness and assumed mobilisation movement, plus any design/check factors.
- Run the calculation and review the sketch, pressure resultants, bearing/eccentricity checks and governing wall actions.
- Change one assumption at a time to compare the effect of berm geometry, water, surcharge or restraint stiffness.
Model features
- A finite Coulomb trial-wedge search estimates berm passive resistance, so slope and toe length affect the available resistance.
- Surcharge influence is adjusted automatically by setback: near-wall load can act over the full retained height, within the active wedge, or outside its influence.
- Optional footing and toe passive resistance, retained-side water pressure, bearing/eccentricity and tie/top-prop spring effects can be included.
- The sketch is diagrammatic; dimensions come from the input cells rather than scaling the drawing.
Checks and assumptions
The tie force is based on the selected stiffness and assumed movement, so it is a 2D sensitivity check rather than a coupled wall/ground/structure model. Review the passive-resistance assumptions and avoid double-counting toe resistance where berm resistance is active. Independently check global stability, structural capacity, movement, water and construction stages.