For many projects, VERSA-LOK® Retaining Wall Systems work solely as gravity systems where unit weight provides resistance to earth pressures. Frictional forces between units and tight pin connections hold units together so walls behave as coherent structures. Maximum allowable height for gravity walls varies with site and soil conditions. Generally, with level backfill, good soils no additional loads, VERSA-LOK gravity walls may be constructed up to four feet.

When weight of units alone is not enough to resist soil loads, horizontal layers of geosynthetic material such as VERSA-Grid, must be used to reinforce soil behind walls. Proper soil reinforcement and design allows VERSA-LOK walls to be built more than 40 feet tall.

The animated feature below illustrates all the components of a VERSA-LOK retaining wall. Each VERSA-LOK wall course is set back 3/4-inch from the front of the course beneath it. This arrangement causes walls to cant into retained soil at an angle of approximately seven degrees. Canted walls are more stable than vertical walls because gravitational forces "pull" units into retained soil. Remember, when designing a soil-reinforced wall always consider factors such as site, soil, loads and height of the wall.