retaining wall

retaining wall
a wall for holding in place a mass of earth or the like, as at the edge of a terrace or excavation. Also called breast wall.
[1830-40]

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Wall constructed to hold in place a mass of earth or prevent the erosion of an embankment.

It may also be battered, with the face inclined toward the load it is bearing. The most basic type of reinforced retaining wall is the massive concrete gravity wall, which is prevented from falling over by the sheer weight and volume of its mass. A cantilever (L-shaped) retaining wall resists overturning by means of cantilever footings, spread footings (see foundation) shaped to resist overturning and sliding.

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also called  revetment , or  breast wall 

      freestanding wall that either resists some weight on one side or prevents the erosion of an embankment. It may also be “battered,” that is, inclined toward the load it is bearing.

      There are a number of methods employed to resist the lateral force against such a wall. The most basic type of reinforced retaining wall is the gravity wall, which is of massive concrete that is prevented from falling over by simple gravity. The cantilever retaining wall has cantilever footings, which have tie beams balancing the asymmetrical load. A counterfort retaining wall is a cantilever wall with counterforts, or buttresses, attached to the inside face of the wall to further resist lateral thrust.

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Universalium. 2010.

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