Design of Multiple Level Retaining Walls

Abstract

Retaining walls are structures that prevent retained soil from assuming its natural slope. The use of multiple level retaining walls becomes necessary when the height of the backfill soil is greater than what can be retained efficiently and economically by a single-tier retaining wall. Each tier of multiple retaining walls should be safe against sliding, overturning, and bearing capacity failure. In addition, the global slope stability behavior should also be checked. This paper presents details of the design methodology of multiple level retaining walls as used in residential construction.