Urban development is increasingly constrained by diminishing building lot sizes, necessitating a significant rise in the use of earth retaining structures for light residential and commercial applications. As urban areas continue to grow and available land becomes scarcer, developers are compelled to maximize the utility of smaller plots, leading to heightened demand for innovative civil engineering solutions. Among these solutions, the implementation of earth retaining structures has become prominent for stabilizing soil and preventing erosion and control drainage. The adoption of mid-size segmental and mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls has emerged as a preferred approach due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ability to accommodate various design requirements.
This session will explore the application of earth retaining structures in light residential and commercial contexts, emphasizing both civil and geotechnical design considerations and the lack of design requirement in the current building code. The session will cover current design practice and compare different design codes and manual used across Canada and the United States. Case studies of past and ongoing projects will illustrate different design considerations and practical applications, highlighting successful implementations and lessons learned from projects that encountered unforeseen challenges. By analyzing real-world examples, attendees will gain insights into best practices and innovative approaches applicable to future projects.