Retaining walls

Retaining wall systems

Depending on the character of work of the facade block in the retaining wall, we can select two systems: passive and active.

Passive System (PS)

In the passive system, the face of the retaining wall is only a finishing element, giving the final form and shape of the structure. The block from the reinforcement earth creates an independent structure, due to the separation of the reinforcement inserts inside the embankment from the inserts anchoring the face of the retaining wall.

Active System (AS)

In case of retaining walls in the active system, the geosynthetic material inside of the  embankment is directly connected to the facing element – creating non-separable structure.

Application

Technology of retaining walls reinforced with geosynthetic materials finds wide application in:

• • construction of ramp driveways to engineering objects, minimizing the ground works required for construction of  embankments with standard inclination,
  • protection of steep slopes and landslides,
  • acquisition of additional terrain (space savings),
  • optimalization of bridge abutments:
    • replacing traditional monolith (reinforced concrete) wing walls,
    • forming wing and return walls in constructions of pillar abutments,
    • building a complete earth reinforced abutments, where typical reinforced concrete structure is fully replaced with earth reinforced with geosynthetic material.

Retaining walls in technology of earth reinforced with geosynthetic material provide the flexibility for selection of facing elements. Investors and designers can select out of many available technologies.

Advantages:

• durability of minimum 120 years,
• safety,
• easy and quick construction,
• lower purchasing and construction costs compared to conventional monolithic or prefabricated retaining structures.