Retaining Wall Design: ANCHORED_SHEET_PILE to GRAVITY_MASONRY
Typical design parameters for common retaining wall types — height ranges, base width ratios, embedment depth, stability factors of safety, backfill and drainage requirements
| wall type | backfill requirement | base width to height ratio max (dimensionless) | base width to height ratio min (dimensionless) | drainage requirement | global stability fos min (dimensionless) | height max ft (ft) | height min ft (ft) | min embedment depth ft (ft) | notes | overturning fos min (dimensionless) | reinforcement notes | sliding fos min (dimensionless) | typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CANTILEVER_CONCRETE | Compacted granular fill preferred; phi>=28 deg; max 10% fines | 0.7 | 0.5 | Drainage blanket or geotextile-wrapped gravel drain behind stem; weep holes at 10ft o.c. | 1.5 | 25 | 3 | 0 | Base width = 0.5-0.7H typical; toe = 1/3 base; heel = 2/3 base; key optional for sliding resistance | 2 | Conventional rebar; stem reinforcement at toe face; heel reinforcement at base top | 1.5 | Highway retaining walls up to 25 ft; bridge abutments; parking structures |
| CRIB_WALL | Granular free-draining backfill; compacted in lifts within cribs | 0.8 | 0.5 | Internal drainage through crib openings; no separate system required | 1.5 | 20 | 5 | 0 | Units: typically 6x6x6 ft modules; not suitable for curved alignments without stepped facing | 2 | Interlocking precast concrete or timber headers and stretchers; no active reinforcement | 1.5 | Low- to medium-height walls; natural aesthetic; stream corridors; older highway walls |
| GABION | Free-draining granular backfill | 0.8 | 0.6 | Excellent internal drainage through basket mesh; no additional drainage typically required | 1.5 | 15 | 3 | 0 | Stone fill: angular broken stone preferred; basket size 3ftx3ftx6ft typical; setback 1-6 deg per course | 2 | Galvanized or PVC-coated welded wire baskets filled with stone 4-8 in diameter | 1.5 | Stream bank protection; erosion control; low-cost retaining walls; rural applications |
| GRAVITY_MASONRY | Free-draining granular backfill; no clay | 0.8 | 0.5 | Weep holes required; drainage fill behind wall | 1.5 | 15 | 3 | 0 | Concrete gravity: base width 0.5-0.8H; stone masonry slightly wider; no tension allowed in cross-section | 2 | None — mass provides stability; can use concrete or stone masonry | 1.5 | Low-height walls; landscaping; historic retrofits |
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