Retaining wall design as a PE in Illinois

[MRM]

Are PE's permitted to design retaining walls (reinforced modular block, in this case) in the state of Illinois?

There is quite a bit of ambiguity in what a PE may design compared to an SE from all of the materials/guides I've seen from the Illinois website about this.

 

[JAE]

No - if you are a PE and design a retaining wall in Illinois they will slap you silly and take away your first born.

(actually I don't know either but thought I'd weigh in).

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[JedClampett]

Normally I'd say call the Board, but I've tried in Illinois and you might want to blow your brains out first.

 

[MRM]

I agree. I've looked on-line first (answer not clear), then I emailed them (no response), then I called them and they took my number down to get back with me (no response after several days).

One clue I found in some meeting minutes from the SE board in Illinois suggests that retaining walls are to be designed by an SE (based on their conversation in the minutes, etc. yet not knowing the full context of what they discussed on that day...). That's all I have right now, and maybe that's the answer. On the other hand, I find it a little hard to believe that a retaining wall, with all the 'black magic' of soil mechanics, is something that an SE would want to take responsibility for...

Any PEs or SEs in Illinois designing retaining walls out there?? If so, are you doing it legally (to your knowledge)??

 

[JedClampett]

As an alternate, the licensing board members should have their Email addresses available. Maybe one of them would give you a hint. Since they're all SE's, they're likely to say that you have to be an SE.

 

[Forensic74]

If you read the fine print of the PE and SE guidelines, it will make you crazy. However, the general intent of the boards is that PE's stick to site grading, draining, and roadway design. SE's stick to buildings, bridges, and elements that generally require analysis of loads, stresses, etc.

Therefore, the intent of the board is that retaining wall design should be delegated to an SE. Would they discipline a PE over it? Who knows, as they have very little clear and sound guidelines to lean on...

 

[rcspiel]

I think there is a height limit on retaining walls being signed by an SE or PE in Illinois. I think it is 48". Anything over 48" above ground needs to be signed off by an SE. What about light pole bases? Can a PE sign off on this or an SE since this involves loads and stresses?