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A retaining wall is a stabilizing structure used to hold sloping ground in place and to prevent the erosion and the movement of soil. A retaining wall was important to substantial and sturdy in structure in order to accommodate and redistribute lateral pressure caused by sloping. It is normally designed with seepage holes, which allow collected ground water to escape. This releases the additional pressure created by accumulated water and helps keep the retaining wall stable.
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| Typical Section of Retaining Wall |
Retaining walls provide lateral support to vertical slopes of soil. They retain soil which would otherwise collapse into a more natural shape. The retained soil is sometimes referred to as backfill. Retaining walls can be constructed of many different materials and with a variety of building techniques. Below is a list of information on retaining walls, their structure and their different types.
Several different materials can be used to construct a retaining wall. Stone and concrete are often used, and there are special retaining wall blocks crafted from aggregate materials and light concrete which are designed for this purpose. Some styles interlock, making assembly simpler, less costly and less time consuming, because each block fits securely with the next. Because the fit of these blocks is secure, they do not require the addition of mortar.
Several different materials can be used to construct a retaining wall. Stone and concrete are often used, and there are special retaining wall blocks crafted from aggregate materials and light concrete which are designed for this purpose. Some styles interlock, making assembly simpler, less costly and less time consuming, because each block fits securely with the next. Because the fit of these blocks is secure, they do not require the addition of mortar.
Retaining walls serve to retain the lateral pressure of soil. The basement wall is thus one form of retaining wall.However, the term is most often used to refer to a cantilever retaining wall, which is a freestanding structure without lateral support at its top.Typically retaining walls are cantilevered from a footing extending up beyond the grade on one side and retaining a higher level grade on the opposite side. The walls must resist the lateral pressures generated by loose soils or, in some cases, water pressures.
The most important consideration in proper design and installation of retaining walls is to recognize and counteract the fact that the retained material is attempting to move forward and downslope due to gravity. This creates lateral earth pressure behind the wall which depends on the angle of internal friction (phi) and the cohesive strength (c) of the retained material, as well as the direction and magnitude of movement the retaining structure undergoes.
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| Usual Retaining Wall Design (image from interlockingretainingwall.com) |
Lateral earth pressures are typically smallest at the top of the wall and increase toward the bottom. Earth pressures will push the wall forward or overturn it if not properly addressed. Also, any groundwater behind the wall that is not dissipated by a drainage system causes an additional horizontal hydrostatic pressure on the wall.It is very important to have proper drainage behind the wall as it is critical to the performance of retaining walls. Drainage materials will reduce or eliminate the hydrostatic pressure and will therefore greatly improve the stability of the material behind the wall, assuming that this is not a retaining wall for water.
Did u know about typical types of retaining walls? Read our recent entry about the types.
Did u know about typical types of retaining walls? Read our recent entry about the types.
