Retaining walls are structures where the ground surface elevation is different on either side of the wall. The result of this uneven condition is the development of lateral loads on the wall. When the wall is designed to withstand those loads, it is considered a retaining wall. The geotechnical engineer generally provides the lateral loading parameters; structural engineer analyzes the wall thickness, reinforcement, and embedment. The structural engineer also analyzes sliding, and overturning failure, while the geotechnical engineer will evaluate the slope stability or global stability of the wall.
