Monolithic Concrete Retaining
Wall Proportions
Proper proportioning of a retaining wall is just as important to its construction as its structural design. Construction-friendly proportions facilitate proper concrete placement and provide sufficient room for structural reinforcement.
In addition to basic structural requirements, wall dimensions (generally member thickness) are also affected by the required minimum reinforcement cover. This can add several inches to the wall's thickness dimensions, and can vary depending on the severity of exposure, soil type and reactivity, etc.
In general, the top of the stem of any cast concrete retaining wall should not be less than 12 inches for the proper placement of concrete.
The depth to the bottom of the base slab should be kept at a minimum of two feet. However, it should always be below the seasonal frost line, and that often is much deeper in northern climates.
The length of the base slab is usually about 50% to 70% of the total height of the wall (bottom of base to top of stem).
For cantilever and counterfort walls, the stem thickness at the base is often about 10% of the total wall height, as is the base slab thickness.
Counterfort retaining walls have counterforts spaced at center-to-center distances of about 30% to 70% of the total wall height.
In some cases, a footing key is included to increase resistance to sliding. The footing key is generally an extension of the stem and extends below the bottom of the base.
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