Retaining Structures
Retaining Wall Repair and Construction
Retaining walls play a critical role in maintaining ground stability and protecting people, infrastructure, and assets. Over time, deterioration or changes in loading conditions can compromise their performance, requiring assessment, strengthening, or replacement.
Retaining wall issues often develop gradually, presenting as cracking, bulging, rotation, or localised movement, but in some cases, failure can be more sudden and severe. Early identification and appropriate intervention are essential to managing risk and ensuring long‑term performance.
CAN assesses the condition, performance, and failure mechanisms of existing retaining walls, recommending strengthening or remediation measures that prioritise durability and service life, rather than short‑term or reactive solutions.
Retaining Wall Solutions
CAN offers a comprehensive range of solutions whether constructing a new retaining wall, strengthening an existing structure, or stabilising a wall at risk of failure.
In some circumstances, retaining walls require urgent temporary support to manage risk while a permanent solution is developed. This may include temporary propping, anchors, or bulk gravity restraint systems.
Permanent retaining wall solutions include:
- Gabion basket systems
- Reinforced earth walls
- Ground anchor systems
- Precast concrete wall units
- Cast in situ concrete walls
- Sprayed concrete retaining walls
- Timber, concrete crib, or masonry structures
By combining appropriate techniques, CAN can deliver solutions that provide engineering certainty while achieving a sympathetic and aesthetically appropriate finish where required.
Drainage & Groundwater Management
Effective groundwater management is often fundamental to retaining wall performance.
Where water is identified as a contributing factor to instability, to reduce hydrostatic pressure and improve long‑term stability, we incorporate appropriate drainage measures such as:
- Weep holes
- Perforated collector systems
- Inclined bored drains
Inspection, Design & Build
We assess the structural condition and behaviour of retaining walls and deliver integrated design and build solutions that restore strength, manage loading, and extend service life.
Anchors
CAN installs and tests anchor systems to enhance retaining wall stability, providing resistance to overturning and lateral loads. Anchors are designed for durability, performance, and compatibility with both temporary and permanent works.
Gabions & Retaining Structures
We construct and repair gabion and gravity retaining systems that offer robust, flexible support while allowing effective drainage and adaptability to movement.
Void Filling & Grouting
Voids behind or beneath retaining walls are addressed through engineered void filling and grouting, restoring ground integrity and reducing the risk of ongoing settlement or failure.
Devegetation
Vegetation that threatens retaining wall performance is carefully managed, preventing root intrusion and structural weakening, while allowing beneficial vegetation to be retained where appropriate.
Case Studies
ICON 2 – Sprinkler System
CAN Structures was contracted to install a supplementary sprinkler system to 19,600sqm of ceiling above an operational automated retrieval system…
Specialist clean-up crew gets bird’s-eye view of Lord’s Cricket Ground
Client: Lord’s Cricket Ground Location: London Duration: 1 Week Rope access specialists from CAN, an RSK company, have been…
Chesterfield College – Repointing
CAN Structures was instructed with the cleaning, by biocide application, and remedial repointing of 200sqm of brick parapet wall at Chesterfield…