A retaining wall is a structure designed and constructed to resist the lateral pressure of soil when there is a desired change in ground elevation that exceeds the angle of repose of the soil.
In Queensland the Asset Management Advancement Program identifies retaining walls as one of a number of "depreciating assets of significant value with long estimated useful lives" that need to be incorporated into Asset Management Plans.
Useful Life
The useful life of retaining walls will vary considerably due to a range of environmental & other factors, but the table below indicates that a life of 25 years may be typcical.
The table below shows the useful life for retaining walls adopted by Councils and other authorities. Please consider improving that table by adding your Councils information.
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Maintenance
The VicRoads Road Structures Inspection Manual suggests that retaining walls should be the subject of a routine maintenance inspection at least twice a year.
Data Standard for Road Management and Investment in Australia and New Zealand
Section 8.3.20 of the Data Standard for Road Management and Investment in Australia and New Zealand V2 defines a 'retaining wall' as a wall constructed to resist lateral pressure from the adjoining ground or to maintain in position a mass of earth.
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