In the construction world, there are different types of retaining walls. Their function is to hold back soil, rock, or other materials. Retaining walls create level areas for landscaping or prevent soil erosion in areas with steep slopes.
Can you skip the retaining walls? No, they are crucial because they provide stability to the ground and prevent it from sliding or collapsing. Their presence is extremely important in areas with a risk of landslides or soil instability.
Additionally, retaining walls also turn out as super attractive in terms of landscaping, providing a visual boundary between different areas, like between a garden and your outdoor living space.
5 Common Types of Retaining Wall
Some of the common types of retaining walls include:
1. Gravity Retaining Wall
This is by far the most sought-after kind that assures stability with its own weight. Their main purpose is to stop the overturning effect of the lateral earth pressure and halt tensile stresses within the section.
Gravity retaining walls are made from materials like concrete, stone, and masonry units. It is perfect to use for a height of up to 3m.
2. Cantilever Retaining Wall
For heights that go over 7 m, reinforced concrete cantilever types of retaining walls are the best choice. They have a vertical stem monolithic and a base.
This type of retaining wall is constructed on-site or precast offsite. Cantilever retaining walls are an economical option up to the height of 10m.
Just like the gravity wall, one must consider sliding, overturning, and bearing pressure during the design phase.
3. Counterfort Retaining Wall
You can choose counterfort retaining walls for wall heights of more than 6m. The stem performs the function of a slab spanning between the counterfort supports.
4. Buttress Retaining Wall
It won’t be wrong to say that a buttress wall is another form of counterfort wall. They are built on the frontal surface of the wall and not with the backfill.
Buttress walls are used to either counteract or retain lateral water forces, also referred to as counterforts.
The term flying buttress indicates the presence of an inclined beam on a half arch that protrudes from a structure that supports its weight.
5. Crib Retaining Wall
It consists of multiple types of boxes from timber material. Granular soils fill precast, steel members, or concrete. Crib retaining walls act as gravity walls with an added advantage of a quick setup.
Other than that, they are made of intertwining individual boxes of timber material or precast concrete.
These boxes are then filled with crushed stones or any other coarse granular material to give them a free-draining structure.
Crib retaining walls are best to support planter areas; however, using a base or support for slopes is not recommended.
Final Words
Retaining walls are perfect for supporting your buildings. Get in touch with our professionals from Qamar Constructions to know more about them and their importance. Our mission is to provide the best home and dental remodeling services at the most affordable prices. Dial (832) 766 9246 to get in touch with us.