Improvements to software applications and specified products for retaining walls offer more options with greater efficiency and lower cost to designers and owners. Many sustainable products are making their way to market as well.

In response to an open invitation from Structural Engineering & Design, a number of companies provided the following information about their products. Company web addresses are provided for immediate access to additional information. To participate in Structural Engineering & Design Specifiers Guides, visit www.gostructural.com/specguide.

Bentley’s RAM Elements V8i (www.bentley.com/ism) includes sophisticated structural design modules for structural components such as retaining walls in reinforced concrete or masonry. Current design modules include: tilt-up walls, continuous beams in any material, concrete shear walls or bearing walls, trusses, masonry walls, spread and combined footings, and reinforced concrete columns.

SuperLoc Composite Sheet Pile System is manufactured by the pultrusion process and designed to provide a solution for deteriorated waterfront structures subjected to harsh marine operating environments. According to product documentation from Creative Pultrusions, Inc. (www.creativepultrusions.com), SuperLoc will not corrode, decay, or spall as traditional materials will, thereby reducing maintenance costs and future replacements.

TEDDS, a program created by CSC Inc. (www.cscworldwide.com), is the ultimate productivity tool for repetitive calculations, according to the company. TEDDS’ comprehensive engineering library includes calculations for the design and analysis of retaining walls. It can design a variety of propped and cantilever retaining wall configurations as well as gabion retaining walls. TEDDS replaces handwritten calculations and is a standard tool used by thousands of engineers worldwide.

Daystar Software, Inc. (www.istructural.com) recently introduced iStructural.com, a web-based structural engineering software application. From any computer with an Internet connection, engineers can use this program to analyze and design concrete and masonry retaining walls, and their data will be saved on Daystar servers for immediate access from any location and any computer.

Filtrexx Vegetated Retaining Walls by Filtrexx International, LLC (www.filtrexx.com) combine MSE technology with the most successful growing system available. Filtrexx offers full design and engineering services behind all walls and can provide the installation services as needed.

When constructing a segmental retaining wall where excavation for the required grid length is not possible or practical, the Manta Ray earth anchor system by Foresight Products, LLC (www.earthanchor.com) may be the solution. Manta Ray tieback anchors can be driven into the soil with no excavation. They can also be installed through old walls, under foundations, and around trees or other landscaping.

Hayward Baker Inc. (www.haywardbaker.com), a member of the international Keller Group, constructs retaining walls for temporary and permanent excavation support and slope stabilization, and remediates existing walls. Products include soil nails, soldier piles and lagging, anchors, sheet piling, micropile slide stabilization, soil mix walls, and gabion systems.

Chance Helical Tiebacks and Soilscrew Retaining Wall Systems from A.B. Chance (www.abchance.com) avoid grout delays because there is no grout. High production rates for installing, testing, and immediate loading can save 30 percent of installation cost while achieving high load capacities, according to the manufacturer.

Integrated Engineering Software, Inc., creates structural design and engineering analysis software for engineering professionals. IES’s QuickRWall software is a retaining wall design and checking tool for cantilevered, propped, or gravity walls. It works with concrete or masonry and for American or Canadian specifications. A free trial download is available at www.iesweb.com

Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc. (www.keystonewalls.com), offers an enhanced aesthetic appeal and forward-thinking design in its Keystone 133Elite, according to the company. The product provides a new way to increase efficiency that is helping to change the way the world builds segmental retaining walls.

LOCK+LOAD Retaining Wall System’s (www.lock-load.com) modular cantilever design allows consistent compaction so paving, fences, and barriers can be constructed adjacent to the wall face. Components include 5,500-psi fiber- and steel-reinforced concrete. The parts easily lock together to improve freeze-thaw and salt scaling performance, which helps to maintain quality for the life of the structure.

MIDAS Information Technology Company’s (www.midasuser.com) GTS is 3D geotechnical and tunnel analysis finite element software, which analyzes retained structures (retaining walls, temporary excavations, and slope stability), seepage, foundations, tunneling, and embankment settlement. All nonlinear geotechnical analyses can be carried out with structures to fully account for soil-structure interaction.

Montana Helical Piers (www.montanahelical.com) is a certified installer of AB Chance Helical Piers, micropiles, and rock anchors for retaining wall tieback applications.

Nitterhouse Masonry (www.nitterhouse.com) produces several wall products, including pre-engineered Allan Block. According to the manufacturer, Allan Block’s patented interlocking lip creates a built-in setback and eliminates the need for pins, clips, or mortar, and allows for unlimited design options. Software allows users to build straight or curved walls from 2 to 40 feet tall.

ReCon Wall Systems, Inc. (www.reconwalls.com), offers a large wet-cast air-entrained concrete retaining wall block with natural stone texture. The system is fully engineered and tested. Gravity wall heights reach to over 17 feet, and free design software is available.

The Verdura retaining wall system by Soil Retention (www.soilretention.com) is a plantable and versatile mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall. The name Verdura comes from the word roots “verde,” meaning green, and “dura,” meaning durable.

Strata Systems’s (www.geogrid.com) Sleeve-It is a pre-engineered solution for integrating a fence with a segmental retaining wall. According to the company, Sleeve-It ensures the fence structure is installed in a noninvasive, code-compliant manner. To learn more or purchase this product, visit the manufacturer’s website.

Successful retaining wall projects combine performance with beauty. Symons by Dayton Superior (www.symons.com) offers over 125 standard patterns and limitless possibilities with custom capabilities. Using state-of-the-art technology and years of experience, Symons aims to help make project dreams happen.

Tensar International Corporation (www.tensar-international.com) offers a full line of grade-separation solutions (GSS) including ARES System panel walls, Mesa System segmental block walls, and SierraScape System wire-formed walls with either a stone-filled or vegetated face option. Each GSS retaining wall system incorporates a positive, mechanical connection to Tensar Geogrids, providing structural integrity and performance, according to the company.

T-WALL Retaining Wall System from The Neel Company (www.neelco.com) offers steel-reinforced precast concrete retaining walls and engineering support for municipal, highway, and railroad design requirements. T-WALL is an all-concrete system with no separate soil reinforcements to attach. T-WALL is designed in accordance with AASHTO and AREMA design codes and is manufactured by state DOT and NPCA certified producers throughout North America.

Truline LLC (www.truline.us) is an innovative and patented vinyl retaining wall solution that provides a versatile box piling to fill with gravel, sand, or concrete, according to its maker. Though it is meant for permanent installation, it can also be installed temporarily and reused. Truline is made from environmentally friendly recycled materials, comes with a 50-year limited warranty, and is independently tested. Theoretical and apparent engineering specifications are provided as well.

VERSA-LOK Retaining Wall Systems’s Mosaic (www.versa-lok.com) is the only solid segmental retaining wall system capable of building random-pattern tall walls of unlimited height, according to the manufacturer. Each Mosaic wall panel is comprised of three VERSA-LOK units in a random four-unit pattern. Mosaic panels are 10 inches in height, allowing for easy accommodation of soil reinforcement to ensure uncompromising strength. The Weathered Mosaic has a centuries-old, hand-hewn appearance that’s perfect for historic renovations.