The retaining walls are rigid structures of engineering that are realized with the purpose of avoiding the earth pushes that can damage some other work done near or to avoid the sliding of lands that endanger some community. For example, they are very common that they take place in the basements of the house; since to create this space you need to dig inside the property boundaries and contain the land that is outside that boundary. But this is not the only use that is given. Below are other very common uses of this type of walls.
What are the walls of contention for?
- To counteract the thrust of the land in urban works
Some cases that need retaining walls are tunnels, railways and also needed on roads. In these cases, large gravity walls can be used whose material will depend on the concrete need of the work. Prefabricated concrete walls can be used. In other cases, some hollow material may be used to make lightened walls necessary for a particular work or for the convenience of saving material; these are used without endangering or at risk to passersby.
- To prevent flooding
Another type of wall idea to counter the thrust of the terrain is gabion walls which can be more economical and ecological when using materials of the area. Gabion containment walls are typical for use in river beds not only helps balance the river bed but also protects populations and crops from possible flooding.
- To protect the soil from erosion
Another reason to use retaining walls is when there is a situation of accelerated water erosion of a fertile soil, which can mean a considerable economic loss. In these cases, gravity walls are often used with high performance
- For greater protection in seismic soils
In the seismic soils there is a poor load capacity since the earth is usually very loose and at the least movement the land yields easily. In order to solve this problem, there are alternatives of reinforced flooring and retaining walls of greater protection than conventional solutions.
- To withstand heavy loads
Some high-rise vertical structures require buttressed walls to withstand heavy loads. In these cases what is sought is a thickening of the wall to which the transverse loads of the structure can be transmitted. These types of walls have been widely used throughout history, are common in cathedrals and churches romantic or Gothic according to Best in Au.
- For decorative projects
The walls do not have to lose their aesthetics; can create retaining walls type planters. These fulfill their function of contention in a staggered form, being able to make planters by adding more earth and decorative plants. For this type of project, a design such as recalls, a typical ornamental gardening style of the fifteenth century that needs well drained, uneven terrain, with plenty of stones and gravels, is very well.
Conclusion:
For years the retaining walls have been used in engineering works, the main form of the structure has changed little, but the technology of the materials has allowed building works increasingly safer. It has been moved from iron to gabion and then to geosynthetic materials to give better solutions to complex problems.
