Guidelines for Retaining Wall Design Now Available

Engineers and Geoscientists BC has completed and issued new Professional Practice Guidelines on the design of retaining walls. 

The guidelines, published in November 2019, will help engineering professionals design retaining walls in a consistent manner. The guidelines outline project roles and responsibilities, and provide advice about how to incorporate best practices (such as providing complete documentation), and following appropriate quality management procedures. The guidelines focus on the geotechnical aspects of retaining walls, but also include some regulatory and structural issues.

These guidelines were written for engineering professionals, statutory decision-makers, regulators, the public, and other stakeholders who might be involved in, or have an interest in, retaining wall design in BC.  The guidelines provide a common level of expectation for various stakeholders with respect to the level of effort, due diligence, and standard of practice to be followed when designing and constructing retaining walls in BC.

Engineers and Geoscientists BC is expecting to host a webinar in March that will train professionals on applying the guidelines when designing retaining walls.

These guidelines, and other professional practice guidelines and practice-related resources, are provided at egbc.ca/Professional-Practice.