Structural Engineering Use Case: Retaining Wall Design & Construction

From Site Evaluation, Soil Mechanics, Drainage, Code Compliance, and Build-Out

Retaining walls are not simple structures. They are engineered systems that integrate soil mechanics, structural design, drainage control, constructability, and long-term performance. When any one of these elements is misunderstood or ignored, failures occur—often years after construction.

Structural Engineering Use Case: Retaining Wall Design & Construction presents a complete, real-world engineering workflow for designing and building a retaining wall, using a single, cohesive use case from initial site evaluation through long-term maintenance.

Rather than treating retaining wall design as a collection of isolated formulas or generic details, this book follows the actual sequence used in professional practice. The reader is guided step by step through site conditions, topography, soil behavior, drainage impacts, wall system selection, structural calculations, construction detailing, inspections, permitting, liability, cost considerations, and long-term monitoring.

This book includes:

• Site evaluation and topographic analysis

• Applied soil mechanics and geotechnical investigation

• Drainage and groundwater considerations

• Retaining wall system selection and comparison

• Code-based structural design using IBC, ASCE 7, and ACI 318

• Lateral earth pressure calculations and stability checks

• Full structural calculation package

• Construction sequencing, inspection checklists, and common mistakes

• Permit-grade drawing sets and CAD-style details

• Failure case studies tied to real design and construction errors

• Owner decision guidance and long-term maintenance considerations

All calculations, drawings, and details are presented in a professional, permit-style format consistent with engineering practice. While the book is comprehensive, it is not a substitute for licensed professional services. Instead, it is designed to clarify engineering workflow, highlight critical assumptions, and demonstrate how successful retaining wall projects are delivered in the real world.

This volume is the first in the Structural Engineering Use Case series, which focuses on teaching engineering through complete, end-to-end project examples rather than abstract theory.

Intended audience:

• Structural and civil engineers

• Engineering students and EITs

• Contractors and inspectors

• Plan reviewers and building officials

• Property owners seeking informed oversight

If you work with retaining walls—or want to understand how they should truly be designed and built—this book provides a clear, practical, and technically grounded reference.