Both retaining walls and breast walls serve big roles in construction and landscape design regarding the stabilization of slope and the control of erosion. Being for similar purposes, many get these confused with one another but actually differ with one another concerning purpose, construction, and design. In this post, we'll attempt to discuss a few important differences between retaining walls and breast walls.
What is a Retaining Wall?
A retaining wall is that type of structural arrangement designed to resist lateral forces resulting from soil or to resist the erosion and sliding of earth materials. Typically, a retaining wall would be constructed in support and retention of the slop soil so that soil won't get washed away due to rainstorms or tides, giving people space at a spot on the site for developing some sort of usable ground plane over ground with not a plane feature. Thus, it stands up for loads caused due to gravity force that presses the back soil in different forms with a structural aspect.
Key Features of Retaining Walls
- Used for soil retention and slope stabilization
- Typically built with materials such as concrete, stone, or brick
- Requires precise engineering to withstand lateral pressure
- Common in landscapes, roadways, and hillside construction
- Often designed with drainage systems to prevent water buildup
What is a Breast Wall?
A breast wall is a retaining structure constructed at the slopes of hills, preventing erosion and sliding of the hill face. It is usually constructed when the soil is loose and the rock formation is fragile. Breast walls are installed to stabilize natural slopes of roads in hilly terrains by providing support for the soil not to slip or slide down.
Key Features of Breast Walls
- Primarily used for slope protection in hilly areas
- Usually built from masonry or concrete
- Provides support to the face of a natural slope or hill
- Does not retain soil but prevents soil erosion from hillsides
- Helps prevent landslides and erosion along roadways
Main Differences Between Retaining Wall and Breast Wall
There is a basic difference between retaining wall and breast wall. The primary difference of retaining wall and breast wall is their specific purposes as well as their constructional methods. Here are some of the main differences:
1. Purpose
Retaining walls are applied for supporting earth and for making flat or terraced areas over uneven ground. Breast walls prevent soil erosion and collapse from the slope face of a hill. A retaining wall provides support against loads, but breast walls protect the natural slope from degradation.
2. Placement
The other structures are retaining walls that most people find in their backyards, city building development, and any other properties with slopes where the soils are retained. Breast walls are common in mountainous regions because they accompany most roads and highways where it holds loose soils or faces of rocks.
3. Design and Structure
Retaining walls are designed to support lateral earth pressure from soil they hold back, while breast walls are designed to shield the slope without carrying as much lateral load. Retaining walls usually have drainage systems in place to manage water behind the wall, whereas breast walls mainly focus on surface stabilization.
4. Materials Used
The retaining walls are constructed with concrete, stone, or timber according to the site and requirements of design. Breast walls are made of masonry, rubble stone, or reinforced concrete. They give structural support while trying to get assimilated with the surroundings of nature.
5. Erosion Control
A retaining wall controls erosion by keeping back soil, while the breast wall stops the erosions on slopes. The breast wall stabilizes the face of hills and is protective against weather-related damages.
When to Choose a Retaining Wall
If you need to retain soil on a sloping site, create level terraces, or support earth behind a building, the best solution is a retaining wall. Retaining walls are great for gardens, landscapes, or urban development where uneven terrain must be leveled or retained.
When to Choose a Breast Wall
A breast wall is very useful for areas requiring slope protection like hilly or mountainous regions. The walls help stabilize natural hillsides and prevent landslides or erosion on roads, hence the importance in civil engineering projects in those areas.
FAQs About Retaining Walls and Breast Walls
What is the primary difference between a retaining wall and a breast wall?
The major difference is that retaining walls hold back soil on sloped surfaces, while breast walls support natural slopes to prevent erosion and landslides.
Where are retaining walls commonly used?
Retaining walls are commonly used in landscaping, urban development, and sloped areas where soil retention is needed to create flat spaces.
Are breast walls used in landscaping?
Breast walls are never used in landscaping. They are just built in hilly places to stabilize the slopes and avoid erosion or wall collapse along roads and highways.
Do retaining walls need drainage?
Yes, retaining walls often require a drainage system to prevent water buildup behind the wall, which can cause structural failure.
What materials are breast walls usually made from?
Breast walls are normally of masonry, rubble stone, or reinforced concrete, which provides strength and is blended with the natural surroundings.
Which wall type is better for protecting roadways in hilly areas?
Breast walls are better suited for the protection of roadways in hilly areas because they stabilize slopes and prevent landslides or erosion along steep inclines.
Can retaining walls prevent landslides?
Retaining walls can prevent slides by holding some amount of soil on sloping ground but are used mainly for retaining soil instead of retaining a slope as breast walls.
Are retaining walls more expensive to build than breast walls?
The cost of the retaining wall versus the breast wall depends on the material and the scale of the project. From an engineering and drainage perspective, retaining walls may demand very extensive systems, which could be expensive.
Do breast walls require drainage systems?
Generally, breast walls usually do not have complex drainage systems as they are generally not designed to hold the water-heavy soils like retaining walls.
Can both retaining walls and breast walls be used in the same project?
Retaining walls and breast walls can be used together to create the use of slope stabilization and soil retention in some projects.