Thursday, November 24, 2011

The Main Components Of Retaining Walls

By Adriana Noton


Structures that are built to hold back moving earth are called Retaining walls. These units are usually used to stabilize areas of land, typically where there are slopes or varying elevations. A common example is, terraces for railways, roads, agriculture, and buildings.

The walls are designed to resist any lateral pressure from soil when there is a change in the elevation of the ground that exceeds the angle or repose of soil. Every wall is built to support a specific wedge of soil. A basement wall is one example of a retaining wall. Typically, this term is used in reference to a cantilever wall that is freestanding and has no lateral support from the top.

Gravity, anchored, piling, and cantilever are the four main models of these constructions. Gravity models are the traditional model for these structures. They hold the earth using their weight. Because the internal leverage pressure coming from the earth is so high, they may topple easily. Long piles are incorporated into piling models. These devices have a fixed wall with soil on both sides. The soil is positioned at the lower end of the wall. If the piles can hold together, despite bending forces, the wall will remain stable.

Anchored models have cables. These cables, which keep them from falling over, are driven into soil or rock and held fixed by anchors that expand. Cantilever models utilize the press of the earth so that they can be stabilized by a second lever arm.

There are other methods that can be used for retaining purposes. Soil slopes, retaining walls, or excavations are reinforced in a process called soil nailing. This technique involves the insertion of slender elements, usually steel-enforcing bars. These units are installed, untensioned and at a downward incline, within a drilled hole and grouted or drilled into place. A facing or isolated soil nail heads can be used on the surface.

Soil-strengthened systems are used in conjunction with the retaining structures. These systems can reduce the overall pressure given off from the earth that impact the wall. Gabion meshes are a prime example of soil-strengthening structures. These mesh boxes are used on outside walls. Within the boxes are cut materials, often stone. The filled cages reduce the rate of erosion forces and internal movement.

MSE, or mechanically stabilized earth, is soil that is constructed with artificial reinforcements through layered mats called geosynthetics attached to their ends. The mats offer added internal resistance. Steel traps, which are also with layers, do this as well. This type of technique requires outer facing walls that the layers can be affixed to. The wall face is generally concrete structures that can handle differential movement.

When it is necessary to hold the earth back, and resist pressure created from soil movement, retaining walls are constructed. The four types of these structures each have a specific level of ability. Some of these models require more than just a wall to keep back the soil.




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