Chapter 63: Principles of retaining wall design

Prior to carrying out the design of a retaining wall, basic concepts relating to the design should be understood by the designer. Considerations such as the characterisation of the wall, the construction sequence to form the retaining wall, performance criteria and the selection of an appropriate wall type should be understood. Following this appreciation of basic concepts, it is common for a designer to select design parameters for analysis in accordance with appropriate standards. The designer should also understand serviceability issues relating to the magnitude of ground movements and the potential for damage to nearby structures.

This chapter provides the reader with a basic understanding of these conceptual issues relating to the design of retaining walls and provides references to other material where more detailed descriptions may be found.