Retaining Wall Design
Earth retaining structures are required on many building and civil engineering projects. These forms of construction are required to resist earth pressure and prevent the mass of soil that is retained from sliding. Retaining walls are incorporated on basement structures and are frequently required to be constructed to allow for the reduction of the internal ground level to form, for example, underground car parking. In such cases, sheet piling or contiguous bored pile walls are formed to allow the construction to proceed safely, and to minimise the effects on adjacent structures.
Simple retaining walls can be constructed in plain masonry, precast concrete, reinforced masonry or in-situ concrete, either reinforced or as a mass structure. Composite construction incorporating interlocking concrete or timber members backfilled with stone, can also be utilised. Stone filled mesh baskets, known as gabions, are a further form of retaining structure that may be used where conditions permit.
With all retaining structures, the key design parameters are the existing soils that support the retaining structure and the materials that are retained, either the naturally occurring soils or imported fill. The key to ensuring economical design is to know as precisely as possible, the soil design characteristics. Further economy can be achieved by incorporating ties or props in the retaining wall to make the soils "work harder".
Peter Cole Consultants will design retaining wall structures with economy in mind, in an attempt to minimise the material and labour costs. We have an extensive range of the latest design software as well as considerable experience in the design of all types of retaining structure. We can only indicate our starting prices for less complex retaining wall solutions
- Masonry Retaining Wall - Starting from £250
- Concrete Retaining Wall (includes reinforcement bar schedule)- Starting from £375
For all retaining wall enquiries please call to discuss your project with an engineer.
