The 4 Different Types of Retaining Walls Explained

Retaining walls are popular in both commercial and residential properties. They are beautiful and can transform your landscape easily. They also prevent soil erosion, allowing greenery to stay in place. Whether you are a residential or commercial developer, below, we have highlighted four different types of retaining walls to consider for your project.

Cantilevered Retaining Walls

These walls are also referred to as reinforced retaining walls. They have steel bars running through the masonry or concrete retaining wall. The retaining walls are attached to a slab foundation that is usually under the soil, giving the wall an L-shape. The weight of the soil on top holds the slab down, preventing the wall from tipping forward. Most of the time, this type of retaining wall is common in commercial properties.

Before you can build this wall, have a structural engineer for retaining wall come and assess the location. The engineer will evaluate where you plan to put the wall and advise you if it is the best solution to keep earth loads in place.

Gravity Retaining Wall

This basic retaining wall uses mass and weight to hold the soil. In other words, the wall uses the gravitational force of its weight to withstand lateral earth pressure from the soil, preventing it from toppling over. As this type of wall is mostly about weight, you have many options regarding the materials you can use. Some of them include pavers, bricks, and unmortared stone. Although shorter walls do not need additional reinforcement, in most walls, one will have to dig a small trench for the wall to fit into. Some may also require a concrete footer to sit on.

Sheet Piling Retaining Wall

This basic type of wall is particularly common in areas where space is a problem. A sheet pile retaining wall is where a thin wall of wood, vinyl, or steel is driven into the soil. This type of wall is only ideal in areas where the soil is soft. Also, you need to ensure that a third of the sheet piling has been driven into the soil. Additional anchoring is needed for larger walls.

Anchored Retaining Wall

This type of wall consists of cables, anchors, and thin walls. The walls are supported by anchors installed in the ground behind them and connected by strips or cables. These structures can be enhanced using steel rods or concrete.

Whether you are about to start a commercial or residential project, if you want to set a good foundation for the project, you need a good civil engineering company to help you out. High Plains Engineering & Consulting, LLC can give you the assistance you need. We have been operating since 2006, offering our services in Fort Lupton and the surrounding areas. Any geotechnical, environmental, structural, or civil engineering challenges you are facing, we can help come up with a solution. We handle a variety of projects, including advising you on what kind of retaining wall is right for your project. Call us today and schedule an appointment.

Categorised in: Structural Engineer