What is Cantilever Retaining Wall? Purpose of Cantilever Retaining wall. Different types of Cantilever Retaining wall. Criteria for using Cantilever Retaining wall and where to use Gravity Retaining Wall.

A cantilever retaining wall is a type of retaining wall that uses a cantilevered structure to resist the lateral pressure of the soil behind it. The wall is typically constructed of reinforced concrete and consists of a horizontal base slab, a vertical stem, and a horizontal top slab, with the base and top slabs connected by a heel at the bottom of the wall and a toe at the top of the wall.

The purpose of a cantilever retaining wall is to hold back soil or other materials and prevent them from moving downhill. They are commonly used in road and bridge construction, as well as in residential and commercial construction.

There are two types of cantilever retaining walls:

1. Conventional cantilever retaining wall: This type of wall has a straight stem and a uniform thickness throughout. It is suitable for walls up to about 25 feet high.
2. Counterfort cantilever retaining wall: This type of wall has vertical concrete slabs called counterforts that are attached to the stem and base of the wall. The counterforts provide additional support and strength to the wall, allowing it to be used for walls up to about 40 feet high.

The criteria for using a cantilever retaining wall include:

1. Soil type: The soil should be stable and firm enough to resist the pressure exerted by the wall.
2. Wall height: Cantilever retaining walls are suitable for walls up to about 25 to 40 feet high, depending on the type of wall used.
3. Load bearing capacity: The wall must be able to withstand the weight of the soil it is holding back, as well as any additional loads placed on it.
4. Drainage: Proper drainage must be provided to prevent water from accumulating behind the wall, which could increase the pressure on the wall.

Cantilever retaining walls can be used in a variety of applications, including:

1. Road and highway construction: Cantilever retaining walls can be used to stabilize slopes along roads and highways.
2. Residential and commercial construction: Cantilever retaining walls can be used to create level ground for building structures.
3. Erosion control: Cantilever retaining walls can be used to prevent erosion along riverbanks and shorelines.