Retaining Wall Designs
Retaining The Earth
Retaining Walls are structures designed to retain soils in areas of steep elevation changes. Retaining walls are constructed of several materials including poured concrete, pre-cast concrete blocks, boulders, and even timber.
Due to the structural nature of the wall an engineer is typically required to design calculations to ensure the function of the wall. Lakeside Engineering's experience allows for design considerations for constructibility and cost effectiveness.
What Is The Purpose of Retaining Walls?
Retaining walls are a useful structure in applications of extreme grade and elevation changes where moving earth may cause erosion issues. Benefits for implementing a retaining wall are:
- Erosion Protection to Surrounding Site Features
- Working with Grading and Elevation Changes
- Aesthetically Pleasing Residential or Commercial Feature
How Effective Are Retaining Walls?
Retaining walls can be extremely effective when properly designed and constructed for the application proposed.
Utilizing the proper materials, providing low maintenance, and lasting life cycle will ensure value in the implementation of a retaining wall.
Why Are Retaining Walls So Expensive?
Retaining wall cost can vary in a wide array of reasons both in application and materials cost. Considering size of the project, height of the wall, and materials can have a large impact on the cost. However, more costly materials such as pre-cast concrete blocks or poured concrete walls will provide longer lasting and lower maintenance walls. Where lower cost materials such as timber may deteriorate in a shorter life cycle or not be applicable at all when considering the proposed application.
What Are The Best Materials For Retaining Walls?
The best materials to utilize for each retaining wall project may vary depending on the size, cost considerations, and aesthetic needs.
For larger commercial projects that must retain large amount of earth pressures utilizing pre-cast concrete blocks or poured concrete may be the best options.
For smaller residential or landscaping projects timber may be the best option for cost effective options, if applicable.
The Two Types Of Retaining Walls
The two main retaining wall applications are gravity walls and geo-grid walls.
- Gravity Walls are retaining structures that relies on its own weight to support the soil mass behind it and are best for shorter walls.
- Geo-Grid Walls are retaining structures that provide a synthetic geo-grid material between the course of the wall to utilize the soil mass behind the wall making them stronger and more stable and are best for tall walls.
Our Process
Get started with a Project Inquiry today, or fill out our Project Survey→ to tell us about your project
Based on your project type, we will provide you with a custom proposal that outlines the scope of services required to bring your project from start to finish
We will visit the project site to analyze site conditions, record accurate dimensions, and collect the necessary photography to ensure your project goes smoothly throughout the process
We'll then begin the project design, including drafting and performing the structural calculations required to complete your project
You'll get the final say on your project with a clear opportunity for changes, revisions, or requests before project completion
Once you are satisfied, our Licensed Professional Engineer will stamp and certify your project
