Why You Need a Retaining Wall Engineer
When building a retaining wall design , the engineer must consider a variety of factors that may influence the structural design, including the site's layout, soil conditions, nearby structures, and underground utilities. The height of the wall will also be important, as will the intended use of the area near the top and bottom of the wall. Some undeveloped properties have unique slopes and geotechnical issues that can affect the design. In these cases, the engineer may need to be called in to help fix the problem in the field. For example, the slopes may be steeper than the engineers had expected, or soil conditions are not uniform. This could result in a structural design that is inadequate for the overall loads. A contractor may not understand all of these issues, leading to change orders that cost the owner extra money. Additionally, if the engineer and contractor don't communicate well, they may view each other as adversaries, reducing the likelihood of success. A reta...