Concrete · Columns & walls

RC cantilever retaining wall stem calculator

Factored earth and surcharge moment at the stem base, vertical reinforcement and shear capacity (pair with the stability tool).

Standard: AS 3600 bending & shear · Rankine pressure

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Inputs in the worked example

The live calculator starts with these values; change any of them and every result, check and diagram updates instantly.

InputValueUnit
Retained height3m
Stem thickness at base250mm
Backfill γ19kN/m³
Backfill φ′30°
Surcharge10kPa
Load factor on earth pressure1.5
Cover (earth face)50mm
Bar diameter16mm
f'c32MPa

Worked example — results

ResultValueUnit
Ka0.333
M* at stem base65.3kNm/m
V* at stem base57.8kN/m
d192mm
Ast835mm²/m
N16 @240mm
φVuc (slab, no fitments)107.9kN/m
Ka 0.333H 3 mAstM* 65.3 kNm/mV* 57.8 kN/mN16 @ 240
Diagram for the worked example

Method, formulas and assumptions

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For preliminary design and education. Check every result against the current standard and your own engineering judgement before use.