ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Active soil The soil behind the wall that will theoretically move. Anchorplex™ retaining wall system A retaining wall built with Anchor™ products and self-compacting structural backfill that meets Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.'s specifications, and that is backed by engineering support tools developed by Anchor Wall Systems. At-rest soil The soil behind the wall that will theoretically not move. Backfill The material used to fill the space behind the wall. Base course A full course of blocks which is buried so that the top is level with grade. See product-specific installation instructions for any exceptions. Bench cut A horizontal cut across a slope. Commonly used when building steps into an existing slope. Column A vertical pillar, generally used as a support for a wall or other structure. Compaction Compressing or densifying the soil material used for base and backfill. Conditions In the estimating tool, conditions include the soil type, whether there is a load or crest on the top of the wall and whether there is a slope at the toe of the wall. Connection strength testing Testing establishing the relationship between a specific SRW unit and a specific type of geosynthetic reinforcement. Course A horizontal layer of blocks used to build a wall. Crest slope Angle of the soil above the wall usually expressed as a ratio such as 3:1 (3 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical). Direct-Anchorage System An installation method that connects earth anchors to retaining wall blocks, that may be used where sufficient space for placement of geosynthetic reinforcement does not exist. Drainage aggregate Drainage fill placed within and immediately behind the SRW units, and in other areas, for drainage. Element In the estimating tool, an element is a specific object within a project. An element is a wall, a corner or a column. Embedment In the estimating tool, embedment is the depth of the buried base course of a wall, column or corner. Fines The smaller particles of aggregate. Foundation soil The soil that supports the leveling pad and the reinforced soil zone of a soil-reinforced SRW system. Freestanding wall (FSW) A self-supporting wall that is constructed so a decorative face on two opposing sides is visible. Geogrid A synthetic material formed into a grid-like structure for use in soil reinforcement. Usually composed of polypropylene, polyester or polyethylene. Geosynthetic A generic term used to describe synthetic or plastic materials used in soil, such as fabrics, geogrids, drainage composites or erosion-control mats. Geosynthetic-reinforced retaining wall A geosynthetic-reinforced wall needs to be designed by a qualified engineer. With a reinforced retaining wall there are (theoretically) no height limitations, and they are used in larger applications. They require more work area behind the structure. The block of soil is stabilized by introducing reinforcement layers into the soil mass behind the facing units. The larger the stabilized soil mass, the more soil can be retained or held back. The geosynthetic reinforcement in the soil extends past the theoretical failure plane and serves to create a large, rectangular mass of block and soil, restraining the retained soil. Geotextile A textile-like material used in soil drainage and reinforcement applications. Usually composed of polypropylene or polyester, it can be woven or non-woven. Global stability Resistance to overall mass movement of the SRW system in a circular or sliding mode. May be a problem with tiered walls, walls with weak foundation soils, and walls with a slope at the top or bottom. Grade Ground level. Gravity wall A retaining wall that does not use soil reinforcement. A gravity wall relies on the weight and setback of the block to resist the soil forces that are being exerted on the wall. Leveling pad aggregate A compactible, free-draining granular soil to facilitate compaction and drainage. Leveling pad or base The level surface (gravel or concrete) used to distribute the weight of the dry-stacked column of SRW units over a wider foundation area and to provide a working surface during construction. Load or surcharge, dead A permanent surcharge on a wall that can provide lateral pressure against the wall as well as vertical force downward on the wall mass. Load or surcharge, live A transient surcharge that can vary during the life of the structure. A live load is assumed to provide lateral pressure but not vertical pressure. Maximum gravity wall height The total height that a wall can safely be built without reinforcement. This height assumes level backfill and clean, compacted sand or gravel and no surcharge, and includes the buried base course but excludes the cap. Minimum inside radius The measurement of the smallest concave wall that can be built using a particular product, measured at the front of the wall on the bottom course. Minimum outside radius The measurement of the smallest convex wall that can be built using a particular product, measured at the front of the wall on the top course. Overturning An external stability failure mechanism of an SRW whereby lateral external forces cause the entire reinforced soil mass to rotate about the base. Permeable soil A soil that allows water to move through it at an appreciable rate. Pilaster An upright architectural member that projects from the wall. Pillar A firm upright support for a superstructure. Proctor (density) A method for determining the moisture-density relationship in soils subjected to compaction. Reinforced soil zone The area of a soil-reinforced SRW which contains the soil reinforcement. Retained soil zone The area of a soil-reinforced SRW which is immediately behind the reinforced zone. Running bond A staggered vertical alignment used to create a consistent pattern. It may be necessary to use split or partial units to maintain a running bond. Segmental retaining wall (SRW) A wall system built with modular blocks to retain soil. Setback The distance that a course of retaining wall blocks is offset rearwardly from the course beneath it. Sliding An external and internal stability failure mechanism of an SRW whereby lateral external forces cause the entire soil mass to slide forward along its base or internally along a particular layer of soil reinforcement. Station Defined point in a wall that shows its variation of height across its length. Stepping up the wall base Method used to maintain a level wall on a slope. Structural backfill A formulated mix design of clean stone, cement and water that can be used to effectively increase the depth and weight of the retaining wall blocks and to create a free-draining zone directly behind the retaining wall units. Surcharge External load, usually applied at the top of a SRW. A roadway or building foundation can be a surcharge. Swale A small ditch or depression formed on top and behind the SRW system to collect water and carry it away. System batter The angle measured from vertical that a retaining wall lies back toward the retained soil. Terraced walls Two or more walls set above or below each other. Theoretical internal failure plane The line that separates active soils from the at-rest soils. Toe slope Angle of the soil in front of the wall usually expressed as a ratio such as 3:1 (3 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical). More questions? You can contact us at Anchor Wall Systems, 5959 Baker Road, Suite 390, Minnetonka, MN 55345 or 1-877-295-5415.