This British Standard code of practice applies to the design and construction of structures to retain soils and materials with similar engineering properties, at slopes steeper than those which they would naturally assume.

It provides guidance for a designer, conversant with theoretical and applied soil mechanics and experienced in structural design and construction. The code is applicable to walls with a retained height of up to about 15 m.

This code of practice is divided into four sections.

Section 1 explains the factors influencing the choice of a retaining wall.