Segmental Retaining Walls (SRWs): Engineering Solutions for Lateral Soil Support
This course is no longer active. AEC Daily will not report completion information for this course.
Retaining walls resist the lateral displacement of soil or other materials, and their long-term performance is dependent on proper design and construction. This course focuses on the segmental retaining wall (SRW), a type of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall. Presented here are SRW types and components, advantages over other retaining wall systems, design considerations, and construction tolerances, as well as reasons that SRWs fail.
Upon completion of this course, the Learner should be able to:
- Recall the two types of SRWs and explain how each SRW component contributes to a durable and safe design.
- Discuss the advantages SRWs have over other retaining wall systems in terms of design flexibility, aesthetics, ease of construction, face drainage, cost effectiveness, tolerance to settlement, seismic performance, and durability.
- Outline the design considerations relating to the geogrid, drainage, wall batter, embedment depth, slopes, swales, utilities, and more that must be taken into account to ensure a long-lasting, durable, and safe structure.
- Summarize at least five reasons why SRWs can fail and apply that knowledge when specifying an SRW design.
Approximately 1 hour. Delivered online, at your own pace.
Presented by Lincoln J. Paiva on behalf of Techo-Bloc. View the Privacy Policy .
Presenter Information
Name: Lincoln J. Paiva
Title: Technical Director, Techo-Bloc
Background: Lincoln J. Paiva, P.Eng. is the Technical Director for Techo-Bloc. He graduated from McGill University with a degree in civil engineering, and is a licensed professional engineer in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. He is a member of the Standards Committee of the ASCE/T&DI/ICPI 68-18 standard on permeable interlocking concrete pavement, and is also a member of the Technical Committee for the third edition of the Canadian Standards for Concrete Pavers and Slabs (CSA A231.1/A231.2). He has had some Techo-Bloc retaining wall products approved by the Ministry of Transportation of Quebec and ICC-ES. He was also the chief designer for some commercial Techo-Bloc retaining wall products. Lincoln has 14 years of experience in the hardscape industry providing technical assistance to engineers, landscape architects, architects, designers, and contractors with design, specification, construction, and maintenance of segmental concrete pavements and segmental retaining walls.
