Selection Considerations and Classification Bases of Earth Retaining Systems

There are numerous forms of earth retaining systems (ERSs). Assessment of the suitable forms of the available ERSs to fit the required application is the first vital stage in the geotechnical design processes. The possible considerations should be adopted to ensure the selected retaining system performs satisfactorily. Before the selection stage, it is necessary to have an idea of the particular forms of the ERSs; also, reviewing the classification bases that affect their final selection is essential. In this review, many ERSs were classified, ranked, and discussed. These systems were presented and described based on various considerations, like the economy and technical feasibility. According to the literature, several bases were named and adopted for this review to help classify and select relevant ERS. These are the cost of ERS, the length of the retaining system and its height, its base width, its alignment and arrangement, the batter of the retaining wall (RW) and the uniformity of its back-face slope, the shape (configuration and the geometry) of ERS, and its flexibility. It was found that the economic factor is the most essential factor affecting decision-making in selecting the ERS. This factor, in turn, is greatly influenced by the flexibility and ductility of RW, the batter face of the RW, and the geometry of RW (using back-face slopes and introducing relief shelves). Finally, the performance of the selected ERS under static and dynamic loading depends on the selected flexibility, height, mass, and geometry of ERS.