What are the conditions to be satisfied while designing a retaining wall?

Proper retaining wall design requires evaluation of the following:

• Select the retaining wall location. Minimize soil excavation and backfill.
• Determine retaining wall height and geometry. Calculate the retaining wall height at its tallest position.
• Evaluate structural requirements.
• Calculate the total wall structure.

Can you build a retaining wall without a footing?

Are concrete footings required? No, the footing is not a structural component of the wall, and acts as a leveling pad for the dry stacked retaining wall blocks. This is one of the benefits of dry stacked gravity retaining wall blocks making them faster and more cost effective to use.

How do you support a retaining wall?

DO start with a good foundation. Your retaining wall will only be as strong its support system. For a stacked-block retaining wall that’s no higher than four feet, a trench filled with three inches of crushed rock will help keep the wall from shifting and settling.

How do you ensure the stability of a retaining wall against sliding?

Factor of Safety – For stability, a retaining wall should satisfy the following conditions.

1. The wall should be stable against sliding.
2. The Wall should be stable against overturning.
3. The base of the wall should be stable against bearing capacity failure.

Do you have to build a retaining wall on a slope?

The maximum slope for the soil you can safely go without a retaining wall is 35 degrees, especially if the soil is granular. If the angle is steeper, you will need a retaining wall to keep everything in place.

Do all retaining walls need footings?

A buried structural footing is usually required for larger retaining walls. To create this, a landscaper pours concrete below frost level (the depth to which the ground will freeze during the winter). Footings poured too shallow are prone to shifting and moving if moisture in the soil freezes and heaves.

How deep do footings need to be for retaining wall?

All footings should be a minimum of 150mm (6″) in depth, with the bottom 350 – 400mm (14-16″) below ground level on most soils. For clay soil however, thicker and deeper footings should be used.

How do you make a strong retaining wall?

Here are three key principles in building any solid retaining wall:

1. Bury the bottom course, or courses, of the retaining wall one tenth the height of the wall to prevent the soil behind from pushing the bottom out.
2. Step back the blocks, rocks or timbers to get gravity working in your favor.

How do you build a retaining wall with railroad ties?

How to Build a Railroad Tie Retaining Wall

1. Step 1: Level and Tamp Down the Area.
2. Step 2: Cut the Area to Make a Snug Fit for the Railroad Ties.
3. Step 3: Add in a Layer of Gravel.
4. Step 4: Level the First Tie in the Wall.
5. Step 5: Make Your Pins to Secure the Ties Together.
6. Step 6: Drill Holes in the Tie for the Pins.