Decks, carports & retaining walls
Retaining wall engineering
For landscapers, builders, developers and owners of sloping sites.
Walls fail because of water
Retaining walls rarely fail because the wall was too weak. They fail because the water behind them had nowhere to go. Saturated backfill pushes far harder than the same soil when drained, so we design drainage as part of the wall. Anything behind the wall, such as a driveway, pool or building, adds load and changes the design again.
What we do
We design the wall, its footing and reinforcement for the retained height, the soil and any surcharge, and specify drainage and backfill.
What you receive
Wall and footing design, drainage and backfill specification, reinforcement details, and drawings and certification for approval.
Common questions
Frequently asked
What causes retaining walls to fail?
Usually water. Saturated backfill pushes far harder than drained soil, so drainage is designed as part of the wall.
Does a driveway, pool or building behind the wall matter?
Yes. Anything above and behind the wall adds load (surcharge) and changes the design.
When does a retaining wall need engineering?
It depends on height, what the wall supports and how close it is to boundaries or buildings, and rules vary by council. Where approval is needed, structural design and certification form part of it.
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Send us the plans and the site address
We’ll come back with a scope and an up-front fee.