Retaining Wall Design Considerations

Retaining walls are one of the most likely types of structures to fail, choose the right type of wall and know what to expect from.

Retaining walls don't just hold back soil or rock. They are not just structures of brute force. They often must balance aesthetics, strength, and cost. Owners want walls to perform and have the right look for their project; engineers are tasked with the job of finding cost-effective solutions that will work; and contractors have to get what works on paper to work on site. Retaining walls are one of the most likely types of structures to fail, so choosing the right type of wall and knowing what to expect from them in terms of performance and durability is important. This presentation helps the people responsible for requesting, specifying, designing, building, and inspecting different types of retaining walls to understand what it is they are looking at. The material explains types of walls, how they are built, and information about engineered designs. Working on existing walls or building new ones is a team project. Knowing what you are talking about and what the next steps should be will make you a more valuable team member. This information is important for everyone involved so it can be ensured that the retaining wall will perform and look great.