As there are four main types of retaining walls that suit different circumstances. When it comes to choosing a retaining wall for your project it is best to look at each wall's application.
They can be grouped into four main types; gravity walls, cantilever walls, anchored walls and reinforced soil or nailed walls. Each type is more suited to certain projects or situations so below is an outline of the four main types of walls for retaining soil/material.
- Gravity walls (crib walls, boulders, gabions & concrete block walls)
Gravity walls are arguably the oldest and most frequently used retaining wall type. Often made from stone or other heavy materials, gravity walls rely on the weight of their own mass to resist pressures from the retained material. Gravity walls include concrete crib walls, boulders, large precast concrete block walls and gabions. Gabions consist of a wire mesh cage, which is filled with roughly cut stone or other material.
Cantilever retaining wall
These walls are common for taller retaining walls. They use a lot less material than the gravity wall. This one works like a beam, cantilevering the load to a large, fixed base base and converting the horizontal pressures from behind the wall into vertical pressures on the ground below. Cantilever walls were used more before gravity walls came about.
- Anchored walls
Anchored retaining walls are pinned at both the top and bottom using cables or other stays, which are anchored in the rock or soil behind it. Anchors are driven into the material and then expanded at the end of the cable, either by mechanical means or by injecting pressurized concrete into the hole. The pressurized concrete then expands to form a bulb in the soil. This retaining wall may be embedded at the base and tied to a slab at the top, or to a "deadman anchor" - a concrete structure which is driven into the ground or anchored to the earth with sufficient resistance. The horizontal cable, rod or helical anchor and deadman structure resists forces that would otherwise cause the wall to become unstable.
- Nailed retaining walls or reinforced soil
Reinforcing grids or straps are used in these walls to hold the slope or material in place. These layers are then attached to outside facing walls like precast concrete units that can take some movement. In larger areas where the reinforced material works with the concrete retaining wall, provides a stable area. Nailed walls use elements like steel reinforcing bars in pre-drilled holes then grouted into place. These bars are installed on a slight angle and untensioned.
They can be grouped into four main types; gravity walls, cantilever walls, anchored walls and reinforced soil or nailed walls. Each type is more suited to certain projects or situations so below is an outline of the four main types of walls for retaining soil/material.
- Gravity walls (crib walls, boulders, gabions & concrete block walls)
Gravity walls are arguably the oldest and most frequently used retaining wall type. Often made from stone or other heavy materials, gravity walls rely on the weight of their own mass to resist pressures from the retained material. Gravity walls include concrete crib walls, boulders, large precast concrete block walls and gabions. Gabions consist of a wire mesh cage, which is filled with roughly cut stone or other material.
Cantilever retaining wall
These walls are common for taller retaining walls. They use a lot less material than the gravity wall. This one works like a beam, cantilevering the load to a large, fixed base base and converting the horizontal pressures from behind the wall into vertical pressures on the ground below. Cantilever walls were used more before gravity walls came about.
- Anchored walls
Anchored retaining walls are pinned at both the top and bottom using cables or other stays, which are anchored in the rock or soil behind it. Anchors are driven into the material and then expanded at the end of the cable, either by mechanical means or by injecting pressurized concrete into the hole. The pressurized concrete then expands to form a bulb in the soil. This retaining wall may be embedded at the base and tied to a slab at the top, or to a "deadman anchor" - a concrete structure which is driven into the ground or anchored to the earth with sufficient resistance. The horizontal cable, rod or helical anchor and deadman structure resists forces that would otherwise cause the wall to become unstable.
- Nailed retaining walls or reinforced soil
Reinforcing grids or straps are used in these walls to hold the slope or material in place. These layers are then attached to outside facing walls like precast concrete units that can take some movement. In larger areas where the reinforced material works with the concrete retaining wall, provides a stable area. Nailed walls use elements like steel reinforcing bars in pre-drilled holes then grouted into place. These bars are installed on a slight angle and untensioned.
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