This document summarizes the static analysis and design of retaining walls with and without shelves using software. It finds that providing pressure relief shelves on the backfill side of a retaining wall reduces the total earth pressure, wall thickness, and makes for a more economical design. Analytical results from the conventional method and StaadPro software show close agreement. Introducing shelves reduces eccentricity, pressure intensity, active earth pressure force, and increases safety against sliding and overturning compared to walls without shelves. Savings in construction costs of 15-25% are possible using shelves for high retaining walls.