Exploring the potential of Textile Reinforced Concrete for corrosion‐insensitive retaining walls

Abstract In a context where durability concerns, particularly the corrosion of steel reinforcement, remain a critical challenge for conventional reinforced concrete structures under severe exposure, Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC) is emerging as a promising alternative. TRC combines a cementitious matrix with non‐corrosive textile reinforcement, enabling thinner, lighter, and more durable structures. This paper investigates the application of TRC to structures where corrosion concerns are critical and focuses on retaining walls, a structural typology particularly sensitive to this phenomenon. A Life Cycle Assessment is conducted to evaluate the potential environmental benefits of TRC‐based solutions compared with conventional alternatives. In addition, the response of a prototype wall (intended to represent at half scale the base of a 5 m‐high segmental retaining wall) is experimentally investigated, validating the design concept and its building feasibility. The cross section of the prototype is designed to optimize the amount of material used, by arrangement of counterforts. The experimental results show that shear failure in the counterforts is governing and that Elastic‐Cracked Stress Fields are a suitable tool for their design. Based on these findings, a series of practical recommendations for the development and application of TRC in retaining structures is proposed.