Retaining Walls

What is a Retaining Wall?

A retaining wall is a structure designed and constructed to resist the pressure of soil when there is a change in ground elevation that exceeds the angle of repose of the soil. A retaining wall is used to bound soils between two different elevations, often in areas where the landscape needs to be shaped severely and engineered for more specific purposes.

Types of Retaining Walls

Concrete: Cast-in-situ & Pre-Cast

Cast-in-situ literally translates into cast in place. This refers to the fact the the concrete is poured at its final location. The opposite of cast-in-situ is pre-cast. Pre-cast means that the concrete is poured off site and is then transported to its permanent location.

Gravity Block Structures

Gravity block structures depend totally on their mass (whether it is stone, concrete or other heavy material) to resist the pressure from behind. Larger gravity block structures require a rigid concrete footing which requires the excavation of a trench.

Anchored Systems

An Anchored retaining system can be constructed in any of the retaining system styles but also includes additional strength using cables or other stays anchored in the rock/ soil behind it. An anchored system is usually driven into the material with boring. Anchors are then expanded at the end of the cable, by either mechanical means or by pressure grouting.

Gabion Baskets

A Gabion Basket is a form of retaining system that is made up of stone filled gabions tied together with wire. Gabions comes from the Italian word gabbione which directly translates into “big cage”.

Piled Solutions

A piled solution retaining wall for a retaining system would involve sheet piling. Sheet pile walls are usually made out of steel but can be vinyl or wooden planks which are driven into the ground. Sheet piling retaining systems are usually used in soft soil and tight spaces.

Contact us for Retaining Walls

If you are in the public sector, a developer or a contractor, and you are considering working with us in relation to retaining systems and retaining walls in particular, contact us in our Dublin office on 01 6310300 or in our Cork office on 021 4345999.