counterforts
Counterforts are vertical structural members integrated into a wall to resist lateral forces, most commonly earth and water pressures acting on retaining structures and dams. They are thin, reinforced concrete webs or slabs placed at regular intervals and tied to the main wall, creating triangular or hollow cross sections that transfer loads to the foundation. By distributing bending and shear forces through the counterforts, the stem or upstream face can be made thinner and lighter without compromising overall strength.
In retaining walls, counterfort construction involves a relatively thin stem wall that supports soil on its
In dam engineering, a counterfort dam uses vertical counterforts on the downstream side of the upstream-facing
Key design considerations include appropriate spacing and thickness of counterforts, reinforcement detailing, seepage control, joint integrity,