ConcreteCalc
PRO All 30 Tools
All 30 Tools

Concrete Retaining Wall Calculator

Calculate the concrete volume in cubic yards and dead weight in US tons for cantilever poured concrete retaining walls. Computes both the vertical trapezoidal stem wall and the horizontal spread footing base.

Interactive Retaining Wall Calculator

ENGINEERING SCHEMATIC
Cantilever Concrete Retaining Wall Assembly
Height (H: 8'–10') Thickness (8"–10") Stem Wall Spread Footing
💡
Pro Contractor Recommendation: Walls over 4 ft tall require licensed engineering design. Install perforated drain pipe and clean aggregate backfill to eliminate hydrostatic water pressure.
Retaining Wall Stem Dimensions
Footing (Base Slab) Dimensions
Total Concrete Volume (Stem + Footing)
26.48 cu yds
(715.0 cu ft / 20.25 m³)
Stem Wall Volume
14.81 cu yds
400 sq ft face area
Base Footing Volume
9.26 cu yds
Spread footing support
Total Dead Weight
51.8 tons
Overturning resistance dead load

Anatomy of a Cantilever Retaining Wall

A poured concrete retaining wall resists lateral earth pressure through the self-weight of the concrete and the soil resting on the heel footing:

  • Trapezoidal Stem Wall: Thicker at the base where bending moments are highest (e.g. 12" to 16") and tapered to 8" or 10" at the top to optimize concrete efficiency.
  • Spread Footing Base: Typically sized between 50% and 70% of the total wall height to provide adequate overturning safety factors against lateral soil forces.
  • Drainage & Weep Holes: Hydrostatic pressure from trapped groundwater is the #1 cause of retaining wall failure. Always install washed stone backfill and 4" perforated drainage pipe behind the stem.