What is a Retaining wall?

A retaining wall is oftentimes built to provide support, prevent down slope movement or erosion, or hold back soil or rock from a structure or area. However, with their constructive purposes also come creative and design-influenced applications. A retaining wall is a wall which holds back or supports soil when the natural ground level has been altered. When a person 'cuts' into the natural ground level, the soil on the high side is to be prevented from collapsing with the use of a wall. A retaining wall is a choice, not a necessity, it's not like it's the foundation of your house. Plus the tree was there first, so building a wall there, you're going to know the roots might affect it.

 A retaining wall is a structure that holds back soil or rock from a building, structure or area. Retaining walls prevent downslope movement or erosion and provide support for vertical or near-vertical grade changes. A retaining wall is a functional feature of your landscape that, when constructed well, can be a thing of beauty. However, a poorly built wall will quickly become an eye sore, even if the best materials have been used. A retaining wall is like a dam: The higher the wall and the heavier the soil behind it, the greater the pressure on the wall. Most retaining walls over 3 feet (2 feet in some areas) are thus subject to some kind of permit process; this is taken more seriously in areas of seismic activity, where walls must be able to withstand shock loads in addition to everything else.

 A retaining wall is generally built in order to retain soil. However, walls can serve aesthetic functions as well. A retaining wall is built to stabilize and hold back soil and/or rock from downslope movement or erosion. Masonry, stone, brick, concrete, vinyl, steel and timber are common materials used for the construction of retaining walls. A retaining wall is a wall built to rebut the pressure of earth, either wet or dry. In designing such a wall it is necessary to ascertain the character of the material to be retained.

 A retaining wall is a stabilizing structure used to hold sloping ground in place and to prevent the erosion and the movement of soil. A retaining wall must be substantial and sturdy in structure in order to accommodate and redistribute lateral pressure caused by sloping. A retaining wall is required if adequate space is not available. Maximum slope steepness is dictated by the quality of fill soil available and whether or not the slope will be protected with riprap to eliminate the need for mowing and other maintenance. A retaining wall is a large expanse of wood, stone, brick, or masonry. Although this may be desirable and attractive, you might want to soften the look by adding plants, yard ornamentation, or a combination of both.

Reinforced walls are usually greater than four feet tall and have special loading conditions present like slopes or surcharges. Reinforcing tie-backs, such as earth auger tie-backs, can be used with high retaining walls. Wall backfill is placed behind the wall for each layer of blocks.