Retaining Walls can be used as a structure to resist the lateral forces that are caused by soil backfill. Depending on the client or structure, there are many different types of retaining walls.
Each type of retaining wall is defined by its ability to resist loads. All of them have their own benefits and drawbacks. Geotechnical engineers can use retaining walls to build on slopes, in cities with limited space and along slopes. The purpose of this article is to explain what a retaining wall is and the different types of retaining walls.
There are many different types of geogrids, from simple gravity walls to basement bored pile walls and reinforced soil walls.
What is a retaining or retaining wall?
A retaining wall is a structure designed to resist lateral soil pressure or to hold soil materials back. This lateral pressure can also be caused by earth filling, liquid pressurization, sand and other granular material behind the retaining walls. There are many types of retaining walls that are used to achieve different goals.
There are many types of retaining walls.
The different types of retaining walls are classified based on their shape and resistance to pressure.
- Cantilever Retaining Wall
- Anchored Retaining wall
- Gravity Retaining Wall
- Sheet Pile Retaining walls
Cantilever walls
Cantilever walls can be constructed using reinforced concrete and a foundation in the form of an L or T. This type of retaining wall is made up of a stem (or footing), which sits beneath the backfill. The vertical pressure behind the wall will be transferred to the foundation. This prevents the wall from falling due to the lateral earth weight of the same soil mass.
A T-shaped foundation also benefits from the soil weight (and vertical stress) that is in front of the wall. This provides additional stability to the retaining structures.
Anchored Retaining wall
Anchored retaining walls, as the name suggests, resist active soil pressure by anchoring into soil, rock, or another resisting material. These anchors provide forces to prevent overturning or sliding.
These are very strong and resistant to higher forces, especially in areas where there is limited space. This is why they are often used on construction sites with adjacent buildings.
Gravity Retaining Walls
Gravity retaining walls use their own weight as a gravitational force to resist the side earth pressure of the soil behind them. This prevents the walls from toppling or sliding. These are the oldest and simplest types of retaining walls.
These structures are made of bricks, concrete, concrete blocks, concrete masonry or mass-cast-in-situ. They rely on the weight they carry to resist damage.
Sheet Pile Retaining walls
You can also use sheet piles that have a corrugated surface (to increase their bending strength) to maintain the active pressure of retaining walls. These piles are driven deep into the ground using a rig.
They provide additional lateral support as they are piled into the earth. These retaining walls can be used to block groundwater and car parks. They are also useful in areas where there is not enough space for large barriers.