Different Types Of Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are primarily used to hold back the natural materials behind them by withstanding the lateral pressure resulting from the soil, water, or any other particulate material therein. In addition to helping maintain the existing landscape, these structures can also be used to improve or enrich the appearance of the space in question.
If you are thinking about having a retaining wall built on your property, but don’t know much about these simple structures, here’s a brief guide on the different types of retaining walls.
Gravity Retaining Walls
In order to hold back the lateral pressure of the earth materials behind them gravity retaining walls rely on their own weight. Since all that is needed to keep the soil from shifting is weight, gravity retaining walls give you the freedom to choose your preferred materials. Stones, bricks, and pavers can be stacked to create a reliable structure. It is, however, worth noting that since these walls are not reinforced in any way, they are only economical for a height of around 3 meters.
Anchored Retaining Walls
These retaining walls rely on anchors driven into the earth behind them to support a “front.” The front, which can be made of a variety of materials and designs, then holds back the soil behind it. The anchors are driven deep into the soil behind the wall mechanically before being injected with concrete to increase their mass. Cables are used to connect the front to the anchors, thus providing the necessary support. This anchoring method can be used to provide additional support to other types of retaining walls where necessary.
Sheet Piling Retaining Walls
These retaining walls are constructed by simply driving steel, concrete, vinyl or wooden piles into the ground, up to a depth that provides the support needed to hold back the soil behind them. These walls are best suited to cases where space is limited. As a rule of thumb, for every two-thirds of total height above ground, a third of the pile has to be buried. Additional support measures may be required for very high walls.
Cantilevered Retaining Walls
Cantilevered retaining walls rely on the weight of the soil behind them to resist the lateral pressures in question. These walls, which may be prefabricated or built on site, have a stem and a base. The base is divided into a “heel” and “toe” section. The heel is buried behind the wall while the toe protrudes forward, past the wall. With the above information in mind, you can make an informed decision regarding the best retaining wall for you. As always, you can contact our professionals for more information about retaining walls and which options are best for your business or home.
