Multi-Tier Retaining Wall

Location

Gatlinburg, TN

Total Wall Area

2,360 square feet

Maximum Height

23 feet over 4 tiers

Challenge

Several tiers of an existing timber retaining wall was in a state of failure at this Gatlinburg residence. Dean Engineering and Design was engaged to design a solution that would replace the walls and provide the owners with usable space that could be enjoyed. Tiered retaining walls are a more complex system than single walls. They must be evaluated for the global stability of the system since the upper walls surcharge the lower walls. Additionally, their drainage systems must be coordinated so that water can exit the system entirely.

Solution

Dean Engineering and Design designed a system of four tiered walls that allowed space for a fire pit and planting space for the owners. The walls were designed as a system so that the walls were either spaced far enough apart as to not surcharge each other, or reinforced to withstand the additional loads. The walls were built as segmental walls reinforced with geogrid.