Difference Between a Cantilever Retaining Wall and a Gravity Retaining Wall

Cantilever Retaining Wall:

Design: Cantilever retaining walls are designed with a base slab that extends horizontally from the bottom of the wall, creating a cantilever structure. The base slab provides stability and helps resist soil pressure.

Support: These walls rely on the structural strength of the cantilevered portion and the embedment depth of the base slab for support.

Reinforcement: Cantilever retaining walls may incorporate reinforcement, such as steel bars or geogrids, to enhance stability and prevent overturning.

Suitability: They are suitable for medium to high retaining wall heights and are commonly used in various soil conditions.

Gravity Retaining Wall:

Design: Gravity retaining walls rely on their own weight and mass to resist soil pressure. They are typically thicker at the base and taper towards the top to provide stability.

Support: These walls use their weight and the friction between individual blocks or units to counteract lateral earth pressure.

Reinforcement: While some gravity walls may incorporate reinforcement for added stability, they primarily rely on their self-weight for support.

Suitability: Gravity retaining walls are suitable for low to medium retaining wall heights and are commonly constructed using materials such as concrete blocks, stone, or precast concrete panels.

Objective Type Question:

Which type of retaining wall relies on its own weight and mass to resist soil pressure?

A) Cantilever retaining wall B) Gravity retaining wall C) Sheet pile retaining wall D) Anchored retaining wall