EVALUATION OF A CANTILEVER RETAINING WALL USING FINITE ELEMENTS FOR STABILITY ANALYSIS

Abstract

A cantilever retaining wall is a structure designed to resist the lateral pressure of soil, typically composed of a vertical stem and a base footing, providing slope stability and preventing soil displacement. This study aims to evaluate the structural and geotechnical performance of a 6-meter-high cantilever retaining wall located in Santa Rosa, El Oro Province (Ecuador), using both analytical and numerical approaches. The analysis was carried out following the traditional design method based on the Ecuadorian Construction Code (NEC–2015), and through finite element simulations using Plaxis 3D under both static and seismic conditions. Safety factors were assessed for the most common failure modes: overturning, sliding, and bearing capacity. The results confirmed compliance with regulatory requirements, while the numerical modeling provided greater insight into the stress distribution, displacements, and soil-structure interaction. It is concluded that combining both approaches offers a more comprehensive basis for optimizing the safety and efficiency of retaining wall designs.