Counterfort Retaining Walls

Four Types of Poured Concrete Retaining Walls

Counterfort retaining walls are similar to cantilever walls except they have thin vertical concrete webs at regular intervals along the backside of the wall. These webs are known as counterforts.

Counterfort retaining walls:

  • The counterforts tie the slab and base together, and the purpose of them is to reduce the shear forces and bending moments imposed on the wall by the soil. A secondary effect is to increase the weight of the wall from the added concrete.
  • Can be precast or formed on site.
  • Counterfort retaining walls are more economical than cantilever walls for heights above 25 ft.

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