How to Take Care of Our Property by Installing Retaining Walls?

The terrains of the earth are not similar or flat everywhere, even on the lands. As you all are aware of the very fact that plains are not the only landform present on the earth, because we have the Tablelands or the plateau, mountains, hills, valleys, and even the coastal areas. Not all the points are at the same height with respect to the sea level. Every type of terrain has a definite slope, either a smooth horizontal on or a steep vertical one. And when it comes to creating roads or any other structure with the surrounding areas having a vertical and steep slope, extra precaution is always taken to prevent the soil mass from collapsing on the road. The barrier, which actually acts as a restraint to the soil mass, is known as the retaining wall.

Technically, What Actually Is A Retaining Wall?

Retaining Walls

When there is a sudden change in the elevation of two different landforms with the angle of elevation greater than the critical angle of the soil, a barrier is built to prevent the slumping of the soil mass. This barricade is known as the retaining wall. This wall is built in order to restrain the lateral pressure of the soil, thus balancing both the land structure. The costing of retaining walls varies as per the raw materials that are used, and as per the square foot and the blocks that are required in retaining the walls.

A dam’s basement walls can be thought to be a retaining wall. The thick wall is made from either concrete or steel, depending upon the flow of water. On one side of the wall, the river water applies a huge amount of lateral pressure which is nullified by the heavy weight of the wall to prevent water flow in the wrong direction.

What Are the Common Types of Retaining Wall?

When we are talking about the various kinds of the retaining wall, the classifications vary in accordance with the area of the landform, the purpose for which the wall will be built and also the type of lateral pressure the wall will handle.

So, here are the basic types of retaining wall that is constructed in order to establish the proper balance between two different landform types.

#1. Gravity wall

Gravity retaining wall is usually built in a way where it supports its own weight. And this is the reason why the sliding, overturning, and the bearing forces needed to be considered.

#2. Piling wall

In this type of wall, the piles are placed in a deep-rooted condition inside the earth. The main purpose of the piling wall is to negate the top force, which is the actual reason for the overturning or slumping of the retaining wall.

#3. Anchored wall

Retaining Walls

Here, strong tie cables are installed deep within the earth and then space is filled with concrete. These retaining walls are mainly used in areas where space is limited, and the wall needs to restrain the loose soil.

#4. Cantilever wall

Cantilever retaining wall is the most complex form known till date as it can be divided into numerous parts. The supportive framework is the thin stem and the thick base which acts as the skeleton of the wall.

When highways or any other structure types are constructed with different elevation level, retaining walls act as the best restraining barrier. Now you can choose from different kinds of retaining walls made of stone, concrete, bricks, and a combination of concrete and cement. You can also go for reinforced soil walls that are durable and give a high value for money when you construct them for the outer walls of your home or commercial place.