What Is Necessary to Hire a Retaining Wall Engineer? 4 Problems Can Be Avoided!

 Before investing in a retaining wall, prioritize safety by hiring a skilled structural engineer. Their expertise ensures your wall is built to last, strong, stable, and compliant with standards.

In this blog, discover the key prevention steps and smart strategies that make hiring the right retaining wall engineer your best defense against costly retaining wall disasters.

4 Costly Retaining Wall Disasters You Can Avoid by Hiring a Skilled Engineer!

Here is the discussion of appointing a qualified retaining wall engineer early on; it not only keeps your project safe and compliant, but it also saves you from four common disasters.

“Are you aware that the MSE retaining wall failed due to 64% drainage issues and 73% wall failure due to poor construction practices, including low-quality backfill, inadequate compaction, and anchor system failures, causing settlement?

Additionally, the case study of the MSE retaining wall reveals that poor design, substandard materials, lack of drainage, and inadequate monitoring led to retaining wall failure, proving that proper engineering, quality construction, and regular maintenance are vital to prevent costly collapses.” (According to Scispace)

The above research article information gives you the importance of hiring a retaining wall engineer to find out the pressure buildup checking to avoid overwhelming your wall's structural stability.

1. Avoiding Sudden Collapse

Retaining walls hold back thousands of pounds of soil, and when designed poorly, they can collapse without warning.

For example, “a gentle riverside slope hid a soft soil layer missing in tests, causing a retaining wall collapse mid-construction, triggering a landslide, river disruption, and injuries, despite the nearby tower remaining unharmed.” (According to the Geo Engineer article)

An engineer ensures that the wall is structurally sound, properly reinforced, and able to withstand both the earth pressure and environmental conditions. They calculate loads, choose the right materials, and design your wall so it stands strong for decades.

2. Managing Unstable Soil Conditions

Some soils shift easily, retain too much water, or lack the strength to hold a wall. A retaining wall engineer conducts soil tests to determine the exact ground conditions.

“A retaining wall in Algeria faced instability due to poor anchoring and blocked drainage from a plastic sheet, with design and construction errors forcing project suspension and prompting a stronger, deeper redesign.” (Information from the Romanian Journal of Civil Engineering)

Moreover, during the BSD hospital construction, dewatering lowered groundwater, increasing lateral pressure on soldier pile walls, causing up to 2 m deformation, and reducing safety from 2.5 to 2.2.”

With their knowledge, they design your wall to work with the soil rather than against it, avoiding erosion, sinking, or tilting issues later on.

3. Protecting Nearby Structures & Landscaping

Your retaining wall doesn’t exist in isolation; it affects everything around it. Without proper design, the shifting of a wall can damage driveways, patios, fences, and even the foundations of nearby buildings.

“A 15-month wireless monitoring study on a highway retaining wall found 20% reinforcement loss still maintained a high reliability index (3.0+), revealing valuable insights into tilt, strain, and seasonal behavior.” (Information from Sage Journal)

So an engineer assesses the site’s surroundings and ensures the wall complements and does not threaten the rest of your property.

4. Ensuring Correct Design & Load Calculations

It’s not enough to stack blocks or pour concrete; you need precise calculations. A skilled engineer measures the forces acting on the wall, including soil pressure, surcharge loads like parked vehicles or nearby buildings, and even seismic activity in earthquake-prone areas.

For example, “This study models a reservoir floodway’s anchored retaining wall using finite element analysis, enhancing soil pressure predictions and proposing an improved formula for safer, optimized engineering designs.” (According to the Advances in Machinery) 

This precision prevents dangerous design errors that could lead to premature failure of your wall.

Ready to Partner With Us for a Retaining Wall Engineer!

At Foundation Doctor, Inc., we don’t just fix foundation problems; we deliver lasting structural solutions that protect your investment. From expertly retaining wall engineering to tailored foundation designs, our work ensures strength, safety, and compliance with all codes and standards.

We combine advanced engineering techniques with high-quality materials to provide durability that stands the test of time, minimizing future repairs and maximizing property value. 

Whether residential or commercial, every project is handled with precision, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence. With decades of demonstrated experience and a history of completed projects, get in touch with us today and know that your property is secure from the ground up.