A retaining wall is a structure whose main purpose is to prevent a mass of soil located on slopes from slipping or collapsing. In other words, this is nothing more than a structure acting as a supporting element. That is, it does not allow various structures located on an inclined plane, and the ground under them to collapse or collapse under the influence of the gravity of its own mass.
The retaining wall can perform the following functions:
- prevention of soil slipping;
- organization of optimal terracing;
- rationalization of land use;
- division of the territory into zones.
In suburban construction, such supporting structures are built in areas with large elevations. That is, on the hills, steep slopes, in ravines. But also retaining walls are also used as artistic and decorative elements in landscape design. From here we can distinguish the first gradation of such structures based on their functional purpose.
- Decorative . Any retaining wall of this type serves as an architectural and decorative element. They are used in landscape design even on flat areas.
- Firming . This type of structure is used to hold the soil on various slopes. They are widely used for terracing slopes to expand the usable area. Such structures must be erected with a slope of 8%.
- Combined . This type of structure performs both decorative and reinforcing functions.
The retaining wall is a rather complicated structure. Its components are:
- foundation (underground part of the wall);
- body (aboveground part of the structure);
- drainage and drainage.
The construction of retaining walls is a difficult and responsible task. Particular attention is paid to design. It is at this stage that all the operational characteristics of the future design are calculated. Thus, the calculations take into account the own weight, the tested loads from the objects located on it, the soil pressure on the body and the foundation of the wall, water flows during heavy rains and floods, the effects of winds, and soil swelling during frosts.
Strength characteristics - this is a very important issue in the construction of walls. But no less important should be given to ensuring sustainability. For these purposes, during construction, a number of activities are carried out, calculated at the design stage:
- the formation of a slope of the rear face of the wall towards the backfill;
- increased roughness of the back to reduce soil pressure on it;
- drainage system;
- the formation of the protrusion from the front of the wall.
Types of retaining walls
By construction technology:
- Monolithic.
- National teams.
By depth:
- shallow (the width of the walls is comparable to or less than the depth of laying);
- deep laying (the width of the walls is 1.5 times or more less than the depth).
Height:
- low (less than 1 meter);
- medium (1-2 meters);
- high (more than 2 meters).
By massiveness:
- Massive . This type of retaining walls is material intensive as well as labor intensive. Tipping and shear stability is achieved due to its own weight.
- Semi-massive . The stability of structures of this type is achieved due to the mass of the structure itself, as well as the mass of the filling soil.
- Fine elements . This type of retaining walls is usually built from reinforced concrete slabs. For stability in this case, fill soil is responsible.
- Thin . The stability of the walls of this type is ensured by pinching the base in the ground.
By location:
- integrated (associated with structures adjacent to them);
- autonomous (freestanding).
According to the material of manufacture:
- Retaining wall made of concrete . The design of this species is one of the most stable. For its construction, the arrangement of formwork and drainage holes is required.
- Stone . When forming such a wall, it is necessary to equip the reinforced foundation laid below the freezing point. Also, outlets should be provided in the body of the finished structure to reduce water pressure.
- Wooden . When constructing such a retaining wall, a drainage system should be provided. All wooden structural elements must be treated with an antiseptic.
- Brick . The construction technology is similar to that of the construction of stone retaining walls.
- Metal . The retaining wall of this type is suitable only for stable soils. When erecting it, a concrete foundation should be formed to strengthen the structure.
- Retaining wall of building blocks . The construction technology is the same as in the case of stone structures.
- Retaining wall of geogrids . This type of structure can be equipped on vertical slopes. Geogrid modules are interconnected using conventional brackets.
- Retaining wall of gabions . This material has a solid weight, which allows you to create a fairly stable design. The construction of walls using gabions can be performed year-round. Also in this case there is no need for preliminary preparation of the foundation or foundation.
- Retaining wall made of concrete blocks . The construction is easy enough. The arrangement of the wall involves a preliminary ramming of the base and backfilling of rubble.