Which of the following factors is most critical in the design of retaining walls
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following factors is most critical in the design of retaining walls?
Soil cohesion
Hydrostatic pressure
Wall height
Foundation type
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following factors is most critical in the design of retaining walls?
Step 1: Understand what a retaining wall is. A retaining wall is a structure that holds back soil or water.
Step 2: Identify the forces acting on a retaining wall. One of the main forces is hydrostatic pressure, which is the pressure exerted by water.
Step 3: Recognize that hydrostatic pressure increases with the depth of water. The deeper the water, the more pressure it exerts on the wall.
Step 4: Realize that the retaining wall must be designed to resist this hydrostatic pressure to prevent failure.
Step 5: Conclude that hydrostatic pressure is a critical factor in the design of retaining walls because it directly affects the stability and safety of the structure.
