RETAINING WALL
TANAY MHALIM
21AR14
ABCM SEM 7
RETAINING WALL
A retaining wall is a structure that are designed and constructed to
withstand lateral pressure of soil or hold back soil materials. The lateral
pressure could be also due to earth filling, liquid pressure, sand, and
other granular materials behind the retaining wall structure.
Purpose
1.Soil Retention: The primary function is to retain soil and prevent
landslides or erosion.
2.Leveling Terrain: They help create flat areas for gardens, patios, or
building sites on slopes.
3.Water Management: Retaining walls can also control water runoff
and drainage, protecting landscapes from water damage.
Applications Types of Retaining Walls
•Landscaping in residential areas. 1.Gravity Retaining Wall
•Road and highway construction. 2.Counter-fort / Buttressed Retaining Wall
•Flood control and management. 3.Anchored Retaining Wall
•Retaining slopes in agriculture. 4.Piled Retaining Wall
Types of Retaining Walls
1.Gravity Retaining Wall
• The gravity retaining wall depends on its self-weight to resist lateral
earth pressure.
•Commonly, a gravity retaining wall is massive because it requires a
significant gravity load to counteract soil pressure.
•Sliding, overturning, and bearing forces shall be taken into
consideration while this type of retaining wall structure is designed.
•It can be constructed from different materials such as concrete, stone,
and masonry units.
•It is economical for a height up to 3m.
2.Cantilever Retaining Wall
•Cantilever retaining wall composed of stem and base slab
•It is constructed from reinforced concrete, precast concrete, or
prestressed concrete.
•Cantilever retaining wall is the most common type used as retaining
walls.
•Cantilever retaining wall is either constructed on-site or prefabricated
offsite i.e. precast.
•The portion of the base slab beneath the backfill material is termed as
heel, and the other part is called the toe.
•Cantilever retaining wall is economical up to a height of 10m.
3. Counter-fort / Buttressed Retaining Wall
•It is a cantilever retaining wall but strengthened with counter forts
monolithic with the back of the wall slab and base slab.
• Counter-fort spacing is equal or slightly larger than half of the counter-
fort height.
•Counter-fort wall height ranges from 8-12m.
•Structure: The wall itself is usually vertical or slightly inclined, and the
buttresses are spaced at intervals along the wall, extending outwards
to the ground.
•Load Distribution: The buttresses help distribute the lateral earth
pressures more evenly, reducing the wall's bending moments and
shear forces.
•Materials: Typically constructed from reinforced concrete or masonry,
ensuring strength and durability.
•Drainage: Proper drainage is essential to prevent water buildup behind
the wall, which can increase lateral pressure. Weep holes and drainage
systems are often included.
•Applications: Commonly used in situations where significant soil loads
are present, such as in hilly terrain, highway embankments, or near
buildings.
4. Anchored Retaining Wall
•This type of retaining wall is employed when the space is limited or a
thin retaining wall is required.
•Anchored retaining wall is suitable for loose soil over rocks.
•Considerably high retaining walls can be constructed using this type of
retaining wall structure system.
•Deep cable rods or wires are driven deep sideways into the earth,
then the ends are filled with concrete to provide an anchor.
•Anchors (tiebacks) act against overturning and sliding pressure.
• USES = Urban construction sites Highway and road construction
Bridges and overpasses
•Basements and excavations
•Slopes and hillsides
•Retaining backfill in developments
Piled Retaining Wall
•Pile retaining walls are constructed by driving reinforced concrete piles
adjacent to each other Piles are forced into a depth that is sufficient to
counter the force that tries to push over the wall.
•It is employed in both temporary and permanent work.
•Piled walls offer high-stiffness retaining elements that are able to hold
lateral pressure in large excavation depths with almost no disturbance
to surrounding structures or properties.
•Sheet pile walls are built using steel sheets into a slope or excavations
up to a required depth, but they cannot withstand very high pressure
•Sheet pile retaining wall economical till height of 6m
