Briefing: Ciria guide C760: guidance on embedded retaining wall design

This paper details key aspects of the update of the Construction Industry Research and Information Association’s good practice on embedded retaining walls (C760). The authors of C760 provide an overview of the new guidance on the selection and design of vertical embedded retaining walls that satisfy the requirements of Eurocodes. The guidance also covers temporary and permanent cantilevers, and anchored, single-propped and multi-propped retaining walls that are supported by embedment in soft soils, stiff clays and other competent soils and soft rocks. C760 addresses the technical and construction issues relating to the selection of appropriate wall types and construction sequence to achieve a satisfactory design. It clarifies areas of ambiguity and common misunderstandings when applying the Eurocodes to the design of embedded retaining walls and presents a clear, unambiguous method for the application of the observational method.