Foundation walls can also function as retaining walls to withstand earth pressure. What does this help prevent?

Foundation walls can also function as retaining walls to withstand earth pressure. What does this help prevent?

• A. Earth pressure
• B. Water intrusion above ground
• C. Thermal expansion
• D. Noise transmission

Answer: (A)

Foundation walls that also function as retaining walls are built to hold back soil and resist the lateral forces the earth behind the wall would exert. When backfill sits against the wall, it pushes horizontally, and without a strong wall this earth pressure can cause movement, cracking, or even failure of the foundation. By acting as a retaining wall, the foundation wall keeps the soil in place and prevents that pressure from pushing against the wall. Water intrusion above ground, thermal expansion, and noise transmission aren’t the primary role of this setup, so they aren’t what’s being addressed here.

Foundation walls that also function as retaining walls are built to hold back soil and resist the lateral forces the earth behind the wall would exert. When backfill sits against the wall, it pushes horizontally, and without a strong wall this earth pressure can cause movement, cracking, or even failure of the foundation. By acting as a retaining wall, the foundation wall keeps the soil in place and prevents that pressure from pushing against the wall. Water intrusion above ground, thermal expansion, and noise transmission aren’t the primary role of this setup, so they aren’t what’s being addressed here.