For this residential hillside project, our team designed and installed an approximately 60-foot-long steel soldier pile retaining wall system to stabilize the rear yard, maximize usable space, and improve the overall appearance of the property.
The existing backyard was built on a steep slope and previously supported by an aging Versa-Lok retaining wall system. Due to the grade conditions and elevation changes throughout the yard, the customer needed a stronger and more reliable long-term retaining solution that would also provide a cleaner, more modern appearance.
After evaluating the site conditions, slope geometry, drainage concerns, and long-term stability requirements, we recommended a steel soldier pile wall with timber lagging instead of a traditional block retaining wall.
Soldier pile retaining walls are commonly used when additional structural support is needed on steep grades or where soil retention demands exceed the capabilities of standard segmental block walls.
For this project, a soldier pile wall offered several advantages:
Because the backyard needed to be brought up flush with the existing patio elevation, the soldier pile system allowed us to safely retain the hillside while maximizing the homeowner’s usable yard space.
Our crew began by demolishing and removing the existing Versa-Lok retaining wall system and preparing the site for excavation and installation.
Steel soldier beams were installed approximately 10 feet into the ground with roughly 5 feet exposed above grade. Each beam was encased in concrete to provide additional structural support and long-term stability. The beams were 15′ long total.
Wooden lagging was installed between the steel beams to create the retaining wall face. The system was designed to properly retain the hillside while providing an attractive finished appearance.
To promote drainage and reduce hydrostatic pressure behind the wall, the retaining system was backfilled using 100% gravel. The yard was then brought up to match the existing patio elevation, creating a larger and more functional backyard area.
Stamped and sealed engineered drawings were provided for the project to ensure structural compliance and proper installation procedures. Upon completion, the disturbed areas were topsoiled, and lawn reseeded to restore the property.
As part of the overall backyard transformation, our team also completed several additional upgrades including:
The completed soldier pile retaining wall system provided the homeowner with a significantly more stable hillside, expanded usable yard space, upgraded landscaping features, and a modern finished appearance that will perform for years to come.
This project is a great example of how engineered retaining solutions can solve both structural and cosmetic challenges on difficult hillside properties.
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