This book presents information on the design of retaining walls and inland and coastal flood walls. Retaining walls are defined as any wall that restrains material to maintain a difference in elevation. A floodwall is defined as any wall having as its principal function the prevention of loading of adjacent land. Not specifically covered in this book are seawalls which are defined as structures separating land and water areas, primarily designed to prevent erosion and other damage due to wave action. They are frequently built at the edge of the water, but can be built inland to withstand periods of high water. This book also describes procedures for the design of retaining and flood walls on shallow foundations, i.e., those bearing directly on rock or soil.
