In dry areas, timber retaining walls can be a good choice since they can hold back the soil just as well. They may not be ideal in humid areas since the timber would rot. They are the most inexpensive option
The engineer will help you determine the best retaining wall type, length, and height. He or she will assist you in installing the drainage pipes in the right place to keep water off the structural members. After designing the wall, the structural engineer will carry out checks to ensure it is structurally sound. Overall stability will also be checked to make sure the structure is stable and safe. Conclusion Retaining walls function for more than just aesthetic purposes. They can play a major role in providing structural strength to your project. As you consider constructing one, keep in mind that your property may require extra protection from soil erosion or flooding in order to protect its foundations and other structural members. Consult a professional if necessary, choose the right building material, and protect your property from structural failure.
though, costing about $15 per square foot. Do You Need a Structural Engineer?
We would strongly recommend that you consult a structural engineer especially if your property is on a steep-sloped area or an area with poor grading. The complexity of some site works related to retaining wall construc- tion may need the help of a professional. An engineer would come up with a functional wall design with structural strength in mind. The technical analyses that would be conducted by the engineer in- clude determining the height of the water table and determining the ground bearing capacity. This is done during a site investigation. James Gagliano has carried a valuable lesson with him that he learned 37 years ago as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. "One of the most lasting and indelible images that I have retained since my graduation involves a crusty, old senior, non-commissioned officer and VietnamWar veteran who taught Military Science," said Gagliano. "He cautioned us young cadets about the old adage--'generals always fight the last war'" This means that military strategy often focuses on what has happened rather than what will happen. That warning has remained with me across my military and law en- forcement careers. I learned that you have to anticipate what could happen and that imagination and daring are essential leader traits," said Gagliano, who has served as a counterterrorism operator in Af- ghanistan and as part of the Federal Bureau of Investigations' elite counterterror unit. Like Gagliano, the academy is also anticipating what could happen next for its cadets. Army Corps helps USMA West Point cadets prepare for what comes next By JoAnne Castagna, Ed.D.
The academy is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District to begin construction on a Cyber Engineering & Aca- demic Center that will prepare cadets for what comes next. When completed, the center will replace outdated facilities at the acad- emy and will be used by instructors to provide cadets hands-on core courses in science, technology, engineering, and math. The structure will have large, open workspaces where cadets and faculty, from dif- ferent disciplines, can collaborate. The space will also enable them to grapple with cutting-edge technology and equipment, and creatively and critically tackle complex problems. The goal is to inspire the cadets, ignite innovation, and develop them into the technically-competent leaders that are needed for the battle- field of 2030. Left: James A. Gagliano at his West Point Graduation in May 1987. Right: James A. Gagliano as New York Federal Bureau of Investigation Senior SWAT Team Leader in 2003. Photos: James A. Gagliano.
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January 2021
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