Retaining Wall Height

Rules of thumb commonly used by designers to establish the geometry of the wallinclude (refer to diagram): Base width = 1/2 to 1/3 of the height of the wall. Base thickness = 1/8 of the height of the wall but not less than 12 inches. Stem thickness = 6 inches + ¼ inch for each foot of wall height.

Consult the internet or local experts.

https://www.allanblock.com/retaining-walls/landscape-wall-plan.aspx

Wouldn't it be the height of what you are attempting to retain?

Which reminds me, we haven't heard much from CaptMoosie lately. Hope he is doing O.K.

That depends on what or who you're trying to retain.

I too hope CaptMoosie is okay.

I nearly made the mistake of posting without reading. Yes, it depends upon what you are rataining. Water levels and blah blah blah. Toe-weighting/rotational shear may also come into play. Not quite enough info given. Long time since I read CaptMoosie (and a fair number of others).

If in doubt, consult a qualified local Civil Engineer.

The easiest and safest way to measure the height of a retaining wall is with simple trigonometry. Assume that the wall face is perpendicular to level ground and back away from the wall until you see the top of the wall is 45° above level. The distance between you to the base of the wall will be the height of the wall and easy to measure. The height of the viewer should be added to your result. Other triangles will require a more in-depth understanding of trigonometry, specifically the Law of Sines.

This is fine for finding the height of an existing wall. To build a new wall requires knowing much more information about the site (soil compaction, drainage, plant growth, etc.) that a local contractor or civil engineer should be consulted.

4' 6 "

Does it exist already, or are you trying to calculate the necessary design height?...

Okay, for starters:

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(gamma)_d = ?;

(gamma)_r = ?;

(psi) = ?;

(delta) = ?;

(theta) = ?;

(alpha)_o= ?;

(alpha)_i = ?;

(h)_$= ?;

(h)_s = ?;

(h)_w = ?;

(h)_c = ?;

(h)_k = ?;

(wc) = ?;

(c) = ?;

(tt)_w = ?;

(tt)_f = ?;

(tt)_k = ?;

(s)_s = ?;

(W)_beta = ?;

(w)_w = ?;

(w)_f= ?;

and most importantly,

(f)_{$ = ?.}

_{The rest of the values should be calculatable from the above inputs, without too many assumptions...}

YEs, I also saw a similar thread started by an anonymous poster titled "SBC and Area in Retaining Wall". I wonder if they are related....

Get on top of the wall, then drop a weighted rope to the bottom. Climb back down and measure the length of the rope.

If it exists a tape measure is cheaper than a surveyor.
If it doesn't exist, i.e. in planning, get a competent civil/geo-technical engineer

As others have said if the wall exists then measure it if not than a lot depends on the material chosen for the wall and the soil morphology.

I have built wood slab walls, concrete block walls and gabion walls.

Gaybion walls use the height twice the width a 1:2 ratio for free standing to go any higher reinforcing posts are needed or stepping the wall back at the 1:2 height with the step width of the first course increase equal to the step back so it may become bottom course 1:2.5 next course 1:2. A 1.2m long x1m high by 0.5m thick steel box will contain a ton of rocks so the footing needs to take that into account.

The slope, material of the existing soil etc needs to be taken into account. The face needs to slope back if using sleepers or cement fence posts and the upright support posts need to be buried around a third of the posts gheight

More information is needed and if in doubt consult a geotechnical engineer.

A lot more information regarding water flows, drainage, traffic etc needs to be scoped before a difinative answer can be arrived at

If it is not too tall, use a tape measure. -- JHF