Hartigan

Here’s an update from our Portuguese office and an interesting look at alternative structural solutions.

An efficient alternative to traditional reinforced concrete retaining walls.
This basement project utilised a modular concrete retaining wall system instead of a conventional reinforced concrete retaining wall.
The use of interlocking precast concrete blocks offered several advantages:
- Faster installation
- Reduced labour requirements
- Minimal formwork
- Lower embodied carbon compared to a fully reinforced concrete solution
- Cost and programme benefits
When ground conditions and loading requirements permit, modular retaining wall systems can provide a robust, practical and efficient alternative to traditional RC construction.
Engineering is about selecting the right solution for the project, not simply the most conventional one.