Building limitations around retaining walls
Building limitations around retaining walls
(OP)
Hello - help would be greatly appriciated
What I have been asked to do: Find out about the building limitations around retaining walls. I am trying to find specifications on how close to a retaining wall you can build structures, though is still in accordance to Standards, and so far am having no luck. So i have come here to ask around and see if anyone has any idea or can point me in the right direction to help me solve the problem.
I have attached an image which shows the retaining walls at the site. The idea is to build a set of stairs that follow the slope down the hill, that is in accordance to Australian Standards. I have found relevant information on everything else, though I have found nothing on the retaining walls and how close you can build.
I know this is an American forum, though if you can relate any information to Australian Standards that would be great, if not, no worries.
Note: Not sure if this is in the right section of the forum.
Cheers.
What I have been asked to do: Find out about the building limitations around retaining walls. I am trying to find specifications on how close to a retaining wall you can build structures, though is still in accordance to Standards, and so far am having no luck. So i have come here to ask around and see if anyone has any idea or can point me in the right direction to help me solve the problem.
I have attached an image which shows the retaining walls at the site. The idea is to build a set of stairs that follow the slope down the hill, that is in accordance to Australian Standards. I have found relevant information on everything else, though I have found nothing on the retaining walls and how close you can build.
I know this is an American forum, though if you can relate any information to Australian Standards that would be great, if not, no worries.
Note: Not sure if this is in the right section of the forum.
Cheers.






RE: Building limitations around retaining walls
So, you can see that the lateral setback depends on the height of the wall.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: Building limitations around retaining walls
In general I agree with Mike. My guess from your photo is that you have a clayey sand material or perhaps a gravel, sand, clay mix. My point is that soil conditions have a lot to do with how close you can load behind a retaining wall. A retaining wall can be designed for any load condition...in your case, you're stuck with what you have. Further, your retaining wall is not a substantial structural wall. Most of the stability appears to come from the soil.
Get a geotech involved, then a structural.
RE: Building limitations around retaining walls
If you are just planning to build a set of landscaping steps down that slope between the walls, I wouldn't worry about the effect the steps would have on the walls.
RE: Building limitations around retaining walls
RE: Building limitations around retaining walls
If you are looking for a slab on grade staircase, the load shouldn't be substantial, but expect some cracking due to long term movement of soil behind retaining wall.
RE: Building limitations around retaining walls