A retaining wall is a ridged structure designed to serve the purpose of preventing a mass of material, usually earth or rocks from falling or collapsing.
Below are some of the major functions of retaining walls in commercial construction projects:
Ground Support and Soil Retention
The soil or ground make-up around where your building sits or you want to construct your building is a vital part of your project that cannot be neglected. At first glance, it might seem as though your ground levels are suitable for the work required; however, you should consider the condition of the ground you are dealing with below. There are forces of nature that are continuously pushing and pulling on it, over time causing it to weaken. Water is the main cause, as well as frost and the planet’s tectonic forces.
Retaining walls
Retaining walls are beneficial in ground build around your property. If you have a levelled section of ground higher than another section, you will almost certainly need a retaining wall to avoid land slippage or subsidence.
The type of retaining wall you need to build depends on the amount of ground excavation carried out during the construction of the building’s foundations. It is possible that you will have to build a strong load-bearing wall to prevent the soil from eroding towards the building or foundation.
To effectively prevent erosion with a retaining walls for your property or structure, it’s vital that you carry out a significant level of surveying beforehand and then undertake proper site preparations so that your structure will not fail after construction is complete.
Drainage
Retaining walls can also play a significant role in drainage by helping to control the runoff of water around a building or structure. After all, nobody wants water flooding into or around their property! Places such as cellars, car parks, offices or retail spaces could be at risk of water damage. It is incredibly important to include measures for the control of rainwater flow around your building in the planning of your project.
If retaining walls are correctly installed, the water can be easily managed and controlled to avoid flooding. The walls work by channelling runoff water towards designated areas designed to capture rainwater.
If you need a retaining wall for your project, be it to retain soil or create drainage solutions then contact our team at Green Gravity Walls today to discuss our eco -friendly ECO-MSE bags and how we can help you create a functional and durable retaining wall for your project – 0800 654 6542
