Gravity Retaining Wall Heights
Use the chart below to find the maximum height that your retaining wall can be built before reinforcement is required. The gravity wall heights shown do not account for seismic loading. Check with a local engineer for assistance if you are in a seismic area.
| Maximum Wall Heights - Gravity Retaining Walls | |||||||
| Condition Above Retaining Wall | Soil Type | Friction Angle | AB Stones Only of the AB Collection 12° (Ref) |
AB, AB Aztec & AB Europa Collections 6° (Ref) | AB Fieldstone Short Anchoring Unit(SAU) 6° (Ref) | AB Fieldstone Long Anchoring Unit (LAU) 6° (Ref) | AB Vertical Only of the AB Collection 3° (Ref) |
 |
Clay | 27° | 3 ft. 6 in. (1.0 m) |
3 ft. 2 in. (0.9 m) |
3 ft. 7 in. (1.1 m) |
5 ft. 10 in. (1.8 m) |
2 ft. 11 in. (0.9 m) |
| Silty Sand | 32° | 5 ft. 4 in. (1.6 m) |
4 ft. 7 in. (1.4 m) |
5 ft. (1.5 m) |
8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m) |
3 ft. 9 in. (1.1 m) |
|
| Sand/Gravel | 36° | 5 ft. 10 in. (1.8 m) |
5 ft. 2 in. (1.6 m) |
5 ft. 8 in. (1.7 m) |
9 ft. 8 in. (3 m) |
4 ft. 3 in. (1.3 m) |
|
| Wall Heights listed are for reference only. | |||||||
 |
Clay | 27° | 1 ft. 8 in. (0.5 m) |
1 ft. 4 in. (0.4 m) |
1 ft. 8 in. (0.5 m) |
4 ft. (1.2 m) |
1 ft. 1 in. (0.3 m) |
| Silty Sand | 32° | 3 ft. 10 in. (1.2 m) |
3 ft. 1 in. (0.9 m) |
3 ft. 7 in. (1.1 m) |
7 ft. (2.1 m) |
2 ft. 4 in. (0.7 m) |
|
| Sand/Gravel | 36° | 4 ft. 6 in. (1.4 m) |
3 ft. 6 in. (1 m) |
4 ft. 2 in. (1.3 m) |
8 ft. (2.4 m) |
2 ft. 6 in. (0.8 m) |
|
| Wall Heights listed are for reference only. | |||||||
 |
Clay | 27° | 2 ft. 8 in. (0.8 m) |
2 ft. 4 in. (0.7 m) |
2 ft. 8 in. (0.8 m) |
4 ft. 4 in. (1.3 m) |
2 ft. 1 in. (0.6 m) |
| Silty Sand | 32° | 4 ft. 8 in. (1.4 m) |
4 ft. 1 in. (1.2 m) |
4 ft. 4 in. (1.3 m) |
7.0 ft. 4 in. (2.3 m) |
3 ft. 2 in. (0.9 m) |
|
| Sand/Gravel | 36° | 5 ft. 10 in. (1.8 m) |
4 ft. 7 in. (1.4 m) |
5 ft. 1 in. (1.5 m) |
8 ft. 7 in. (2.6 m) |
3 ft. 9 in. (1.1 m) |
|
| Wall Heights listed are for reference only. | |||||||
|
This table is based on clay soil having an internal friction angle of 27° (Ref) or better and a sandy soil having an internal friction angle of 32° (Ref) or better. All heights based on exposed wall heights and include a cap block. The gravity wall heights shown above do not account for seismic loading. Check with a local engineer for assistance if you are in a seismic area. Final designs for construction purposes must be performed by a local registered professional engineer, using the actual conditions of the proposed site. *The surcharge loading category above assumes a solid surface such as concrete, asphalt or pavers having a suitable supporting subgrade. |
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| Maximum Wall Heights - Gravity Retaining Walls Condition Above the Wall: Level |
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| Soil Type | Clay | Silty Sand | Sand/ Gravel |
| Friction Angle | 27° | 32° | 36° |
| AB Stones Only of the AB Collection 12° (Ref) | 3 ft. 6 in. (1.0 m) |
5 ft. 4 in. (1.6 m) |
5 ft. 10 in. (1.8 m) |
| AB, AB Aztec & AB Europa Collections 6° (Ref) | 3 ft. 2 in. (0.9 m) |
4 ft. 7 in. (1.4 m) |
5 ft. 2 in. (1.6 m) |
| AB Fieldstone Short Anchoring Unit(SAU) 6° (Ref) | 3 ft. 7 in. (1.1 m) |
5 ft. (1.5 m) |
5 ft. 8 in. (1.7 m) |
| AB Fieldstone Long Anchoring Unit (LAU) 6° (Ref) | 5 ft. 10 in. (1.8 m) |
8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m) |
9 ft. 8 in. (3 m) |
| AB Vertical Only of the AB Collection 3° (Ref) | 2 ft. 11 in. (0.9 m) |
3 ft. 9 in. (1.1 m) |
4 ft. 3 in. (1.3 m) |
| Wall Heights listed are for reference only. | |||
| Maximum Wall Heights - Gravity Retaining Walls Surcharge* 100psf (4.7 kPa) |
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| Soil Type | Clay | Silty Sand | Sand/ Gravel |
| Friction Angle | 27° | 32° | 36° |
| AB Stones Only of the AB Collection 12° (Ref) | 1 ft. 8 in. (0.5 m) |
3 ft. 10 in. (1.2 m) |
4 ft. 6 in. (1.4 m) |
| AB & AB Europa Collections 6° (Ref) | 1 ft. 4 in. (0.4 m) |
3 ft. 1 in. (0.9 m) |
3 ft. 6 in. (1 m) |
| AB Fieldstone Short Anchoring Unit(SAU) 6° (Ref) | 1 ft. 8 in. (0.5 m) |
3 ft. 7 in. (1.1 m) |
4 ft. 2 in. (1.3 m) |
| AB Fieldstone Long Anchoring Unit (LAU) 6° (Ref) | 4 ft. (1.2 m) |
7 ft. (2.1 m) |
8 ft. (2.4 m) |
| AB Vertical Only of the AB Collection 3° (Ref) | 1 ft. 1 in. (0.3 m) |
2 ft. 4 in. (0.7 m) |
2 ft. 6 in. (0.8 m) |
| Wall Heights listed are for reference only. | |||
| Maximum Wall Heights - Gravity Retaining Walls Slope 3:1 |
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| Soil Type | Clay | Silty Sand | Sand/ Gravel |
| Friction Angle | 27° | 32° | 36° |
| AB Stones Only of the AB Collection 12° (Ref) | 2 ft. 8 in. (0.8 m) |
4 ft. 8 in. (1.4 m) |
5 ft. 10 in. (1.8 m) |
| AB, AB Aztec & AB Europa Collections 6° (Ref) | 2 ft. 4 in. (0.7 m) |
4 ft. 1 in. (1.2 m) |
4 ft. 7 in. (1.4 m) |
| AB Fieldstone Short Anchoring Unit(SAU) 6° (Ref) | 2 ft. 8 in. (0.8 m) |
4 ft. 4 in. (1.3 m) |
5 ft. 1 in. (1.5 m) |
| AB Fieldstone Long Anchoring Unit (LAU) 6° (Ref) | 4 ft. 4 in. (1.3 m) |
7.0 ft. 4 in. (2.3 m) |
8 ft. 7 in. (2.6 m) |
| AB Vertical Only of the AB Collection 3° (Ref) | 2 ft. 1 in. (0.6 m) |
3 ft. 2 in. (0.9 m) |
3 ft. 9 in. (1.1 m) |
| Wall Heights listed are for reference only. | |||
|
This table is based on clay soil having an internal friction angle of 27° (Ref) or better and a sandy soil having an internal friction angle of 32° (Ref) or better. All heights based on exposed wall heights and include a cap block. The gravity wall heights shown above do not account for seismic loading. Check with a local engineer for assistance if you are in a seismic area. Final designs for construction purposes must be performed by a local registered professional engineer, using the actual conditions of the proposed site. *The surcharge loading category above assumes a solid surface such as concrete, asphalt or pavers having a suitable supporting subgrade. |
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