Retaining walls
Retaining walls
Retaining walls are broadly split into three categories:
  • Gravity retaining walls
  • Embedded retaining walls
  • Reinforced soil retaining walls (also termed Mechanically Stabilised Earth or MSE)
The first two categories are usually designed in accordance with BS8002:2015 and BS EN1997-1:2004 ('Eurocode 7'). Additional guidance is provided in CIRIA publications for specific types of gravity wall (CIRIA C516) and embedded walls (CIRIA C760). 

Reinforced soil is not included within the Eurocodes and is currently designed to BS8006-1:2010. See  the 'Reinforced soil' page for more details.
(Legato wall project photographs courtesy of Elite Precast Concrete Ltd)

We have designed, checked or assessed the following types of gravity retaining wall:
  • Modular precast concrete block retaining walls (e.g. Legato™ , Redi-Rock™)
  • Gabion walls
  • Reinforced concrete cantilever stem walls ('L-shape' & 'T-shape)
  • Mass concrete/masonry retaining walls
The design approach for these types of structure is similar in that stability depends primarily upon the self-weight of the structure. The software program LimitState GEO is ideally suited to analysing this type of structure and can be adapted to assess other forms of gravity structure such as crib walls. 
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