The Ontario Building Code | Walls Supporting Drained Earth
9.4.4.6. walls supporting Drained Earth
(1) Except where constructed in accordance with Section 9.15., walls supporting drained earth shall be designed,
(a) for a pressure equivalent to that exerted by a fluid with a density of not less than 480 kg/m3 and a depth equal to that of the retained earth, or
(b) in accordance with Section 4.2. so as to be able to resist the loads and effects described in Article 4.1.2.1.
(2) walls supporting other than drained earth shall be designed,
(a) for the pressure described in Clause (1)(a) plus the fluid pressure of the surcharge, or
(b) in accordance with Section 4.2. so as to be able to resist the loads and effects described in Article 4.1.2.1.
Section 9.5. design of Areas, Spaces and doorway ="http://thehandyforce.com/doors/" title ="Toronto Door installer">doorways
9.5.1. General
In Plain Language
Walls supporting drained earth, such as basement foundation walls, must meet the structural requirements set out in this article, addressing the lateral soil pressure these walls resist.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.