A counterfort retaining wall is designed for retaining large quantities of soil, particularly in tall structures. Similar to a cantilever retaining wall, it has a vertical face and horizontal base, but with additional vertical concrete webs called counterforts. These counterforts are spaced regularly and join the base and stem, substantially increasing the wall’s shear strength and stiffness. By minimizing the bending moments in the wall, counterforts allow for the use of thinner sections, making the structure more economical for higher walls. Adequate drainage is vital in counterfort retaining walls to prevent the buildup of hydrostatic pressure behind the wall.
Counterfort Retaining Walls are constructed with typical heights of 4’-25’ (1.22-7.62 m), base depths of 2.5’-15’ (.76-4.57 m), and wall thicknesses between 8”-24” (20.3-61 cm). Counterfort Retaining Walls are often created with an angle of 2-6 degrees and counterfort spacings between 1.5’-11’ (.46-3.35 m). Retaining wall lengths vary as needed.
A counterfort retaining wall is designed for retaining large quantities of soil, particularly in tall structures. Similar to a cantilever retaining wall, it has a vertical face and horizontal base, but with additional vertical concrete webs called counterforts. These counterforts are spaced regularly and join the base and stem, substantially increasing the wall’s shear strength and stiffness. By minimizing the bending moments in the wall, counterforts allow for the use of thinner sections, making the structure more economical for higher walls. Adequate drainage is vital in counterfort retaining walls to prevent the buildup of hydrostatic pressure behind the wall.
Counterfort Retaining Walls are constructed with typical heights of 4’-25’ (1.22-7.62 m), base depths of 2.5’-15’ (.76-4.57 m), and wall thicknesses between 8”-24” (20.3-61 cm). Counterfort Retaining Walls are often created with an angle of 2-6 degrees and counterfort spacings between 1.5’-11’ (.46-3.35 m). Retaining wall lengths vary as needed.
