How They Work: Retaining Walls

By Adriana Noton


Retaining walls are structures built with the intention of holding back earth from moving. They are commonly used for stabilization of slopes and to make useful areas out of different elevations. For example, terraces for buildings, roads, railways, and agriculture.

These units are constructed to resist lateral pressure caused from the soil. This pressure normally occurs when the change in ground elevation is more than the repose or angle of soil. All of these structures are built to support an area of soil. A good example of a retaining structure commonly built is basement walls. Though these basement units are considered retaining walls, that term is typically used to describe cantilever models that are freestanding and do not have lateral support at the top.
The types of these structures: anchored, cantilever, piling, and gravity. The standard model is gravity. These are able to hold the earth using the weight of the wall. Though they may fall over easily because of the high leverage of pressure coming from the earth. Piling modes utilize long piles. These structures are fixed. They have soil on their lower ends, on both sides. These models are able to tolerate high loads, if the piles can handle bending forces.

Cantilever models utilize the pressure created by the earth in order to support itself using a lever arm. Anchored models are attached to cables. The cables, which are driven into soil or rock and help in position by expanding anchors, keep the structures from falling over.

There are other methods that can be used for retaining purposes. Soil slopes, retaining walls, or excavations are reinforced in a process called soil nailing. This technique involves the insertion of slender elements, usually steel-enforcing bars. These units are installed, untensioned and at a downward incline, within a drilled hole and grouted or drilled into place. A facing or isolated soil nail heads can be used on the surface.

Retaining systems that are not solely a wall are considered soil-strengthened systems. They may also include features that reduce the earth pressure that acts on the wall. Most of these systems are used in combination with a wall. Gabion meshes are a type of soil strengthening commonly used with an outside wall. These devices contain wire mesh boxes where roughly cut materials, such as stone, is filled. The cages reduce internal movement and erosion forces.

Soil that is made with artificial reinforcements and layered mats called geosynthetics, is c
There are other methods that can be used for retaining purposes. Soil slopes, retaining walls, or excavations are reinforced in a process called soil nailing. This technique involves the insertion of slender elements, usually steel-enforcing bars. These units are installed, untensioned and at a downward incline, within a drilled hole and grouted or drilled into place. A facing or isolated soil nail heads can be used on the surface.

Retaining systems that are not solely a wall are considered soil-strengthened systems. They may also include features that reduce the earth pressure that acts on the wall. Most of these systems are used in combination with a wall. Gabion meshes are a type of soil strengthening commonly used with an outside wall. These devices contain wire mesh boxes where roughly cut materials, such as stone, is filled. The cages reduce internal movement and erosion forces.

Soil that is made with artificial reinforcements and layered mats called geosynthetics, is called mechanically stabilized earth, MSE. The mats are designed to add internal resistance. Steel traps, which also include layers, are capable of doing the same thing. MSE systems require outer facing walls that layers can attach to. The wall face is typically made from concrete so that it can hold up during differential movement.

When it is necessary to hold the earth back, and resist pressure created from soil movement, retaining walls are constructed. The four types of these structures each have a specific level of ability. Some of these models require more than just a wall to keep back the soil.




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