4 Popular Types of Retaining Walls and Uses
4 Popular Types of Retaining Walls and Uses
This is four types of retaining walls : gravity wall, piling wall, cantilever wall, and anchored wall . Here’s a breakdown of each type.
- Gravity Wall: A gravity wall relies on its own weight to resist the pressure of soil behind it . Gravity walls are typically constructed of concrete or stone blocks and are wider at the base than at the top to maintain stability . They are suitable for retaining small to medium-sized slopes .
- Piling Wall: A piling wall uses vertical piles driven into the ground to support the soil behind the wall . The piles can be made of wood, concrete, or steel . Piling walls are often used for waterfront applications or where there is poor soil quality .
- Cantilever Wall: A cantilever wall is a thin concrete wall that is reinforced with steel and cantilevers out from its foundation . The weight of the retained soil is balanced by the weight of the cantilever wall itself and the forces acting on the foundation . Cantilever walls are suitable for retaining tall walls with limited space behind the wall .
- Anchored Wall: An anchored wall is a wall that is tied back to a stable soil mass with steel tie rods . The tie rods absorb the tension caused by the soil pressure, allowing the wall to be thinner and more flexible than a gravity wall . Anchored walls are well-suited for situations where there is limited space for a wide gravity wall or where the soil conditions cannot support a heavy wall .
Choosing the right type of retaining wall depends on several factors, including the height of the wall, the type of soil, and the amount of space available behind the wall. Consulting with a structural engineer is important to determine the most appropriate type of retaining wall for your specific project