Once a proper selection has been made of feasible wall types that satisfy the necessary
constraints, design consists of determining the earth pressure against the back of the wall
and then proportioning the wall so that it will be structurally sufficient to satisfy a number
of traditional checks. These checks include stability against sliding and overturning, and
foundation bearing pressure limits. Clearly, satisfying the traditional checks would be of
no value if the entire structure were to move because of some condition not related to
any of these three checks. Therefore, it is also important that the designer be assured that
the wall is globally stable—i.e., that no deep-seated slide or slip surface exists