Retaining Walls in Salt Lake City

Retaining Walls: Definition, Types, and Uses 

A retaining wall is a structure designed to hold back or support soil, preventing it from eroding or collapsing onto a lower area. These walls are commonly used in landscaping, road construction, and structural engineering to create level surfaces on sloped terrain.

Types of Retaining Walls 

1. Gravity Retaining Walls
   • Relies on its own weight to resist soil pressure.
   • Made of concrete, stone, or bricks.
   • Suitable for small to medium height applications.
2. Cantilever Retaining Walls
   • Uses a reinforced concrete slab to resist soil pressure.
   • Has a base slab and a vertical stem for added stability.
   • Ideal for medium to high walls (up to 10m).
3. Counterfort Retaining Walls
   • A variation of the cantilever wall with additional diagonal supports (counterforts).
   • Used for taller walls to resist heavy soil loads.
4. Anchored Retaining Walls
   • Supported by cables or rods driven deep into the soil.
   • Suitable for high loads and limited space applications.
5. Gabion Retaining Walls
   • Made of wire mesh cages filled with rocks.
   • Provides drainage and flexibility, making it suitable for erosion control.
6. Sheet Pile Retaining Walls
   • Constructed from steel, vinyl, or wood sheets driven into the ground.
   • Used for soft soils and waterfront structures.
7. Reinforced Soil Retaining Walls
   • Uses geogrids or geotextiles to reinforce the soil.
   • Economical and flexible for large retaining structures.