Retaining walls are structures used to hold back soil. They work by resisting the lateral pressure exerted by soil as it pushes downward and outward due to gravity. These kinds of walls can be used in a variety of situations, including hillside farming and roadway overpasses.
There are many different kinds of retaining wall systems. Cantilevered retaining walls, for example, use beams to support a barrier against the forces exerted by the soil. Sheet pile retaining walls use steel, vinyl or wood planks, which are driven horizontally into the ground to create a wall. One of the most common and popular types of retaining walls are gravity retaining walls.
Gravity retaining walls, also called block retaining walls, are made out of blocks of stone, concrete or other heavy materials. These retaining wall blocks are then stacked on top of each other to create a wall. The weight of the retaining wall blocks prevents the soil from breaching the wall.
There are many companies that specialize in the construction of retaining walls. If you are interested in having a retaining wall built, be sure to research the pros and cons of different systems and retaining wall companies. For example, some companies’ systems can save you money on construction costs and reduce construction time. Because different types of materials are used in retaining wall blocks, it is important to know about the durability and maintenance associated with individual retaining wall block systems. See this link for more references.