What are the different types of retaining structures in structural engineering?

There are several different types of retaining structures used in structural engineering. These include:

1. Gravity retaining walls - These walls use the weight of the wall itself to resist the lateral soil pressure.

2. Cantilever retaining walls - These walls are designed with a base slab and a cantilevered stem that resists the lateral soil pressure.

3. Anchored retaining walls - These walls are held in place by a series of cables or tendons that are anchored into the soil or rock.

4. Counterfort retaining walls - These walls have a series of vertical concrete or masonry walls (counterforts) that are attached to a horizontal base slab and a vertical stem.

5. Sheet pile walls - These walls are made of prefabricated steel sheet piles that are driven into the soil.

6. Gabion retaining walls - These walls are made of wire mesh cages filled with rocks or other heavy material.

7. Reinforced soil walls - These walls use geosynthetic reinforcement to increase the strength and stability of the soil.

8. Slope stabilization structures - These structures are designed to stabilize slopes and prevent landslides. They may include retaining walls, soil nails, anchors, or other stabilization techniques.

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