How to Design Concrete Walls to Withstand Lateral Pressures

Design foundation walls and freestanding walls to be perfectly vertical. A perfectly vertical wall will transfer the force of gravity directly down its center, making it more impervious to lateral pressures. Design retaining walls, which receive most of their lateral pressure from the side that is full of earth being retained, so that they lean slightly toward the side being retained. A retaining wall that leans away from the retained material is susceptible to collapse from lateral pressure.

Include steel rebar and steel reinforcing mesh in the design of the wall. Steel rebar is made in long bars, and can be built into a wall horizontally, vertically or in a grid pattern that is wired together at the intersections for maximum strength. The sheer strength of the wall will be increased by the presence of the rebar, making it less likely to crack when exposed to lateral pressure.

Make the bottom of the wall slightly wider than the top. As the wall decreases in thickness, its strength-to-weight ration will be increased. The wider bottom supports the narrower top more effectively, making the wall less prone to tipping.