Demand for complex retaining structures and ground retention systems is growing rapidly. In this course, you’ll learn about the general concepts and principles you need to know to design and construct gravity and embedded retaining walls.
Drawing on his 20 years’ experience in the field, facilitator Martin Larisch will guide you through the range of factors that govern which type of structure is typically chosen for a particular project.
Some of these complexities include site-specific ground conditions, wall type, wall height, wall deflection limits, wall loading, construction staging, and site access conditions.
You’ll explore the general differences between active and passive retaining structures, as well as the suggested minimum site investigation requirements for different types of retaining structures.
By the end of this course, you’ll understand the fundamental design principles you need to meet national and international guidelines, such as AS4678 (Earth-retaining structures) and CIRIA760 (Guidance on embedded retaining wall design).
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*1% credit card surcharge applies.
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26 March - 9 April
27 August - 10 September
This course will run on the following dates:
26 March & 9 April 2025, 12:30pm – 2:30pm AEDT
27 August & 10 September 2025, 1pm – 3 AEST
RSVP
Registrations close three business days before the start of each session.
We can customise this course for groups of six or more.
You choose the time, place, duration and format.
Find out how we can help you and your team by clicking on the button below to request a quote or calling us directly on +61 3 9321 1700.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the fundamental design principles for retaining structures
- Identify the best ground investigation, in-situ or laboratory testing methods for robust and reliable retaining wall designs and how investigations schemes may differ for different wall types
- Assess the key risks and opportunities in design and construction
- Understand the fundamental construction aspects of different retaining wall types
Is this course for you?
This course is suitable as an introduction to the design and construction of different retaining structures for civil, geotechnical and structural engineers. It can also be used as a refresher for more experienced participants. Roles include:
- Construction professionals (transport and railway engineering, residential and commercial buildings)
- Designers
- Academics
- Asset owners
- Architects
Fundamental understanding of civil engineering principles and the fundamentals of soil mechanics.
Topics we’ll cover
- Passive and active retaining structures
- Main applications for different retaining wall types
- Design steps for gravity walls in accordance under AS4678 and other relevant guidelines
- Designing embedded retaining walls under CIRIA760 and other relevant guidelines
“The facilitator’s knowledge of the topic is 5/5. A valuable refresher on the theory and practice of designing retaining walls.”
“It was a good overview of the topic, beneficial for preparing all levels of engineers.”
This short course is split into two two-hour sessions.
The first two-hour session will focus on the fundamental behaviour of different retaining walls especially the difference between gravity walls and embedded retaining walls. It will also introduce the fundamental design principles of gravity retaining walls and typical construction methods for selected gravity retaining wall types.
The second two-hour session will be held two weeks after the first, and will focus on the fundamental design principles of embedded retaining walls for cantilevered and laterally supported systems with staging. Construction methods for selected embedded retaining structures including soldier pile, contiguous pile, secant pile and sheet pile walls will be introduced. In addition, the fundamental construction methodology of diaphragm walls and the related key risks will be covered in the course.
In addition to the presentation slides, the facilitator will discuss case studies and other practical examples. There will be time to answer questions during the presentation and at the end of each course, there are five to 10 minutes for discussions.
Delivery platform – Zoom
These sessions run through Zoom. On the day of the webinar you will receive the unique Zoom link at least one hour before the webinar is scheduled to begin.
We suggest that you download the Zoom Desktop Client to ensure you can fully participate in the webinar. If you view the webinar through the Zoom web browser or via a phone or tablet device you may not be able to participate in the interactive elements such as answering polling questions.
Please read through the following information on Zoom to ensure you are prepared for the webinar:
Dr Martin Larisch is a Fellow with Engineers Australia and a Principal Geotechnical Engineer with over 25 years of international experience in the piling and ground engineering sector. He has worked in various technical and operational leadership roles for some of the largest specialist piling and ground improvement contractors and design firms in Australia, New Zealand, and Germany.
Martin has significant experience in the design, construction and verification of piled foundations, retaining walls and ground improvement schemes for infrastructure, marine and building projects. He was also affiliated with The University of Queensland as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Geotechnical Engineering Centre from 2014 to 2021
