How soil pushes (and how to build a retaining wall that pushes back)

When you contemplatehow to build aretaining wall, you may imagine how firm and solid itll appear from the front, or how great the new garden will look above it. But unless you give serious thought to what goes on behind and below the wall, the retaining wall design may not look good for long. A poor retaining wall design wall can lean, separate, even toppleand its out there in plain sight where all your neighbors can point and snicker. You dont want that!

Lots of people think a retaining wall needs to hold back all 6 gazillion tons of soil in the yard behind it. It doesnt. It only needs to retain a wedge of soil, or elongated wedge of soil, similar to that shown in Fig. A. In simple terms (our apologies to all you soil engineers out there): Undisturbed soilsoil that has lain untouched and naturally compacted for thousands of yearshas a maximum slope beyond which it wont hang together on its own. This slope is called the failure plane. If left alone, the soil behind the failure plane will stay put on its own. But the soil in front of the failure planethe natural soil or the fill youre going to addwants to slide down the failure plane.

Gravity, along with the slope, directs most of the weight and pressure of the fill toward the lower part of the retaining wall. Since soil weighs a beefy 100-plus lbs. per cu. ft., you need some pretty heavy materiallarge retaining wall blocks, boulders, timbers or poured concreteto counteract the pressure. Just as important, it needs to be installed the right way. Here are three key principles in building any solid retaining wall:

A retaining wall needs to retain all the material that fills the space between itself and the failure planethe steepest angle at which existing soil can hold itself together before caving in.

Water can weaken retaining walls by washing out the base material that supports the wall (Fig. E). But far more frequently, it causes problems by building up behind the wall, saturating the soil and applying incredible pressure. Thats when walls start leaning, bulging and toppling. Well built walls are constructed and graded to prevent water from getting behind the wall and to provide a speedy exit route for water that inevitably weasels its way in.

Take a look at the well-drained wall in Fig. D. The sod and topsoil are almost even with the top block, so surface water flows over the top rather than puddling behind. Just below that is 8 to 12 in. of packed impervious soil to help prevent water from seeping behind the wall. The gravel below that soil gives water that does enter a fast route to the drain tile. And the perforated drain tile collects the water and directs it away from the base of the wall, escorting it out through its open ends. Theres nothing to prevent water from seeping out between the faces of the blocks, either; that helps with the drainage too. The wall even has porous filter fabric to prevent soil from clogging up the gravel. What youre looking at is a well-drained wall that will last a long time.

Now look at the poorly drained wall in Fig. E. Theres a dip in the lawn that collects water near the top of the wall. Theres no impervious soil, so the water heads south, slowly waterlogging and increasing the weight of the soil packed behind the wall. The homeowner put plastic against the back of the wall to prevent soil from oozing out between the cracksbut its also holding water in. Yikes! Theres no drain tile at the bottomthe trapped water can soak, soften and erode the base material. Not only that, an excavated trench that extends below the base lets water soak into the base material and weaken it. Youve got a retaining wall that has to hold back tons and tons of water and saturated soiland when that water freezes and expands in the winter, matters get even worse.

A strong retaining wall design features well-compacted base material, compacted material in front of the wall to prevent kick-out, and stepped-back materials.

A wall that has an uneven base, no compacted material in front of it and no step-back to the materials will eventually fail.

Even if you have only a small wedge of soil to retain like that shown in Fig. A, compaction is important. If your failure plane is farther back so your wall needs to retain more fill, weight and pressure, then compaction and a reinforcing grid become critical. These two things help increase internal friction and direct the pressure of the fill you add downward (Fig. F), rather than at an angle pushing against the wall. Good compaction doesnt mean dumping a couple of feet of fill behind the wall, then jumping up and down on it in your work boots.

Nope, good compaction means adding 3 or 4 in. of material, compacting it with a heavy, noisy vibrating plate tamper from your friendly neighborhood rental yard, then repeating these steps over and over. Your landscape supplier or block manufacturer (if youre using modular blocks) can tell you whether you need to install reinforcing grid, and at what intervals. The taller the wall, the more likely youll need reinforcing grid.

When building a retaining wall, never backfill with, or compact, topsoil; it will break down and settle, creating a water-welcoming trench behind your wall. Use sandy or gravelly materials, which compact much better. And always make certain you dont become overzealous and compact your wall outward.

From top to bottom, a well-built wall either prevents water from getting behind the wall or ushers it away quickly when it does.

Water trapped behind a wall pushes against it and increases the weight of the soil, which also pushes against it.

By themselves, landscape timbers and a railroad tie retaining wall lack the weight to hold back soil. To make these walls strong, you need to add deadmen, anchors that lock the wall into the soil behind them (Fig. G). The same pressure thats pushing against the wall pushes down on the deadmen to keep them (and therefore the wall) in place. The principles of stepping back, installing good drainage and compacting also apply to timber walls.

Walls of any material that are taller than 4 ft. play by the same rulesits just that the wedge of soil is too big and heavy to be held in place by the weight of the materials alone. Some communities now require building permits and construction details for walls exceeding 4 ft. in height. We think thats a good idea too. Many modular block manufacturers can supply printed sheets of structural information.

For tall slopes, a series of tiered walls is a good substitute for a single tall wall. But an upper tier can apply pressure to a lower tier unless its spaced the proper distanceyou know, behind the failure plane. The rule of thumb is to set back the upper wall twice the height of the lower wall.

Compacting backfill in 3- to 4-in. layers and installing a reinforcement grid directs pressure downward, rather than against the wall.

A deadman helps anchor a timber wall in place when building a retaining wall. The same pressure thats pushing against the wall is pushing and holding the deadmanand therefore the wallin place.

Have the necessary tools for this DIY how to build a retaining wall project lined up before you startyoull save time and frustration.

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time for this how to build a retaining wall project. Heres a list.

Read the original here:
How to Build a Retaining Wall Stronger | The Family Handyman

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Strong winds push ice over Niagara River retaining wall ...

What affects retaining wall design? Consider the possibilities.

Video: Planning your retaining wall

Having a detailed site plan that is drawn to scale will help foresee design and construction challenges and provide an accurate reference for estimating your project. This will become your working or approved plans for the project.

Your city hall will have a copy of your lot survey on file. The survey will not only identify property lines, but will provide an accurate scaled template of your site to help with planning.

Buried utility lines are not only dangerous, they may prevent you from locating your landscape project where you want. Call the local utility companies and have these lines marked.

Building permits may be required if the retaining wall is above a certain height. Check to see what your local city code requires. An approved engineered wall design or an Allan Block pre-engineered solution may be needed in order to get a building permit. Contact your local AB Dealer for more details.

It's always nice (and smart too) to let your neighbors know about your project before you begin.

Clay soils put more pressure on a wall than sandy soils because they hold moisture. Identify the soils at your site.

To identify the soils, a good test is to pick up a small handful of the soil in the palm of your hand and squeeze it to form a ball. Take a sample from at least 12 in.(300 mm) below the surface.

Clay Soils

Clay soil will stick together to form a ball. Clay soils retain moisture which will add pressure behind the walls. Typically most soils will be classified as clay and can be used in your project. However, they may require additional reinforcement.

Sandy Soils

Sandy soil, will not stick together because they are granular with no silty fine particles. These soils allow for good drainage and are ideal for building walls.

Organic Soils

Organic soils will stick together but will not hold once the pressure is released. They should only be used to finish off the top 8 in. (200 mm) of a wall. NEVER use organic soils to build the wall.

Learn more on working with soils on your project site.

Existing trees and other vegetation can be designed into the wall layout as needed. New plantings can be added to enhance the total landscape. Any plantings directly behind the wall need to be done carefully as not to disturb any reinforcement that may have been added when the wall was built.

You must build on solid ground. If your site has soft, wet soils, or if the area was previously excavated, the foundations soil may need to be replaced with good base materials and firmly compacted.

Determining retaining wall height

A detailed understanding of the site elevations and grade changes are needed to determine wall heights. Starting at the lowest point, mark your grade changes in 1 ft. (0.3 m) increments on the plan. Sketch in the drainage patterns.

Cut Site

Fill Site

If building on a hill or a slope, the placement of your wall will determine how much soil will need to be removed or brought onto the site

A cut site is where you cut into the hillside and remove the soil. You will need to decide ahead of time what will be done with the excess soil.

A fill site is where you will need extra soils to fill in behind the entire wall. You will need to plan ahead to have good backfill materials brought onto the site.

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Retaining Wall Planning - Allan Block Wall Systems

Retaining walls offer better land use capabilities, improved safety, enhanced usability, and can be tied into a property or homes existing aesthetic. Whether you are building a retaining wall in your homes front yard, in your back garden, or designing one for a business, the right materials are crucial. At Modular Masonry, we are proud to offer a very wide selection of retaining wall blocks to help you get the ideal fit, function, and appearance.

Our selection of retaining wall blocks includes a wide range of options. Our blocks are perfect for walls of any height with appropriate backfilling, but can also be used for garden beds and in numerous other construction projects. Limestone retaining blocks are among the most popular our blocks are made from reconstituted limestone block options also include concrete Besser or breeze blocks, as well.

Below, you will find a full discussion of our selection of retaining wall blocks, with each option sorted by dimensions, material, and block type. Full pricing details can be found to the right, as can information about pickup or delivery, important disclaimers, and downloadable information including coursing charts and block specifications to help with your project.

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Retaining Walls Perth | Retaining Wall Blocks | Modular ...

What Type of Retaining Wall Do I Need?

Video: Designing your retaining wall

The first step is to determine whether you need a gravity wall or reinforced wall.

Gravity Wall

Reinforced Wall

Gravity walls rely on their own weight and setback to hold up the soil behind them. Learn more about gravity wall construction.

**Please note that the gravity wall chart provided has specific heights for specific site and soil conditions. If you are not sure of your site conditions we recommend being conservative with your retaining wall heights or use geogrid in your retaining wall. See our Soil Reinforcement Chart.

Reinforced walls use layers of geogrid to combine the soil and block together to form a reinforced soil mass.

Under certain conditions, the block weight and setback alone do not provide enough structural support. This is where geogrid comes in - Allan Blocks Reinforcement Grid provides a simple solution by creating a solid structure with more resistance to soil pressure and surcharges for retaining walls under 6 ft. (1.8 m) tall. Learn more about reinforced retaining wall construction.

Conditions above and behind the retaining wall will determine how tall the retaining wall can be before reinforcement is needed.

Slope above retaining wall

Slope below retaining wall

A slope above a retaining wall will add more pressure and weight, while slopes below the retaining wall may make the wall unstable due to sliding or erosion. Avoid slopes greater than 3 to 1 without first consulting a local engineer.

How to Mark and Measure Your Slope

Surcharges

Setback

Any added weight above a retaining wall is called a surcharge. Patios, swimming pools and driveways are common residential surcharges. Your wall may need additional support if a surcharge is present.

The amount your wall leans into the hill is called setback. AB blocks come in approximate setbacks of 6 and 12. The 12 (Ref) setback will provide better leverage and require less reinforcement.

Check out the Soil Reinforcement Chart to find out how much geogrid reinforcement your project will need.

Note: For commercial applications contact a local engineer.

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Retaining Wall Design - Allan Block Wall Systems

Retaining wall is structures that is constructed and designed to resist the lateral pressure of the soil. Apart from soil, the lateral pressure is caused by the pressure of liquid, earth filling, sand, or other granular material filled behind the wall after its constructed. These walls are key components of transportation structures and is commonly employed in theconstructionof hill roads, masonry dams, abutments and wings walls of bridges etc. The type of material used for the construction of the wall depends on the site conditions, type of material to be retained and also the height of the wall to be constructed. Generally there are 4 types of retaining walls.

The primary function of the retaining wall is to hold the earth back without any stability issues like overturning, sliding or structural failure. Water table, earth fill and surcharge are crucial in retaining wall design. Problems may occur when the pressure of the earth is too much and it may tip over. Basically retaining walls are classified into four types, explained below:

A type of retaining wall which depends on its own weight alone to stand up is called a gravity retaining wall. This retaining wall is massive. When designing this type of retaining wall, sliding, bearing and overturning forces should be considered and tested. This is most obvious in dams, or simple dykes.

Sliding of retaining wall

Overturning of Retaining wall

Global stability of Retaining wall

Gravity retaining wall

In this type of retaining wall, piles are driven so deep into the earth that the top force which usually tries to push the wall over, is held back. It uses counter force to negate the top force and keep it from tipping over. This wall is used in temporary or permanent works as the piled walls provide high stiffness retaining elements which afford large excavation depths with almost no disturbance to surrounding structures or properties.

Pile retaining wall

These walls are constructed of reinforced concrete. This wall consists of a thin stem and base slab. The base of this retaining wall is divided into two parts namely the heel and the toe. The heel is a part of the base under the backfill. This wall uses much less concrete than retaining walls but it needs careful construction and design. Its usually economic till 25ft in height. And these walls can either be precast in a factory or formed on the site.

Cantilever retaining wall

For high retaining walls, deep cable rods or wires are driven deep sideways into the earth, then the ends are filled with concrete to provide an anchor. These are also known as tiebacks. They work when a thinner retaining wall is needed or space is limited to install other types of retaining walls. They are very effective for loose soils over solid rocks. Anchored retaining walls are usually employed in lots of highways construction departments where they use them to keep rocks from falling on the roads by accidents.

Anchored retaining wall

To ensure the stability of a retaining wall, the following conditions or requirements must be met:

Basic retaining walls

Major loads that act on retaining walls are as follows.

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Retaining Wall | Types of Retaining Walls | Design ...

What is a Retaining Wall?

Retaining Wall Planter

A retaining wall is a structure that holds or retains soil behind it. There are many types of materials that can be used to create retaining walls like concrete blocks, poured concrete, treated timbers, rocks or boulders. Some are easy to use, others have a shorter life span, but all can retain soil.

Several questions must be considered in order to build the proper type of retaining wall. For example, is the soil sand, clay, or something in between? What is above the wall: a driveway or something heavier like a pool? Will the ground above or below the wall be level or sloped? What is the height of the wall? All of these factors will determine whether you will need a Gravity Retaining Wall or a Geogrid Reinforced Retaining Wall.

Gravity retaining walls are walls that depend on their own weight and setback to retain the soil and are typically shorter in height. Allan Block retaining walls are ideal for this type of wall, because as they are stacked together they lock into place to form a setback. This setback helps the wall support the pressure from the soils behind it.

Reinforced retaining walls are walls that use some type of reinforcement to give more strength to the retaining wall structure, thus improving its ability to retain the soils behind it. For SRWs (Segmental Retaining Walls), we refer to this reinforcement as geogrid or grid. Geogrid is placed between courses of blocks in the wall and rolled back into the slope or hillside during installation to create a stronger and more stable soil mass. In laymans terms, the blocks, the geogrid and the reinforced soil mass work together to make one large, heavy retaining wall structure. Sometimes grid is not a usable solution on a project due to space or other site conditions, so alternative reinforcement materials need to be used such as no-fines concrete, soil nails or earth anchors. These types of reinforcement typically require a local engineer for the design and a certified contractor for the installation

Retaining Wall

Over the years many different retaining wall materials have helped to alter the landscape in which we live. Common retaining wall products include railroad ties or treated timbers as well as wall stones, natural stones, bricks and concrete block.

While wood is often an inexpensive and simple choice for a retaining wall, its short lifespan makes it a relatively poor choice. As the wood decomposes, so does your retaining wall and the integrity of your usable space. Stones, rocks or boulders can create beautiful retaining walls, but the installation of these materials can be expensive and labor intensive. Furthermore, maintenance of stone walls can be difficult, because over time or they may erode or become home to rodents and weeds.

Cast-in place or mortared retaining walls are another option. These walls can be installed with a variety of veneers, bricks, flagstones, etc. which add texture and style. However, these structures are rigid and do not move and flex with climate changes, earthquakes and other natural forces, and can be very expensive to build.

SRWs (Segmental Retaining Walls) like the Allan Block products, offer concrete masonry blocks that are modular and interlocking for ease of use. Simply stack the mortarless blocks together using our installation information, and create a maintenance-free retaining wall that will add usable land, fix a grading or slope issue, and solve many other site problems. These SRWs use similar construction techniques as found in the mortarless construction of the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids of Egypt and will stand the test of time. SRWs come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors as well as different facing textures. Some of the more common textures offer a hard-split or soft-split look, a tumbled look, or more recently a stamped face. Concrete blocks made out of recycled materials are also available. Once you build a wall with an SRW you can be sure it is built to last.

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What is a Retaining Wall - Allan Block Wall Systems

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Strong and durable, yet easy to install, Belgard offers a versatile selection of concrete retaining wall blocks to complement your landscaping, patio or even your mailbox. Our residential retaining wall pavers are suitable for both stone retaining walls and freestanding features such as outdoor kitchens or built-in seating.

Belgard retaining walls can help vastly improve the functionality and look of sloped yards in multiple ways. For the front yard, retaining walls can create better access to your driveway or front door. And, an unusable backyard can be converted into a terrace or a multi-level outdoor living space with landscape or patio retaining walls.

Belgard offers a full line of landscape wall products and concrete paversin natural color blends to complement any color scheme. And with textures that emulatethe look of tumbled stone, stacked stone, chiseled stone or quarried stone, theres a look to complement any architectural style.

In addition to retaining walls, project ideas include outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, stone mailboxes, stone water features, outdoor kitchens, built-in seating, built-in planters, pillars and garden walls of various heights. Our wall blocks can also be used to wrap columns, hide utilities, build steps and more.

Ashlar Tandem features the look of chiseled stone with virtual joints and is ideal for an array of landscaping uses, including grade changes and freestanding walls.

Danville Blend

Toscana

Victorian

Ashlar Unit 1

7 x 13 3/16 x 2 5/8

Ashlar Unit 2

7 x 15 13/16 x 2 5/8

Ashlar Unit 3

7 x 18 7/16 x 2 5/8

Tandem Wall Cap

24 x 15 x 3 1/4

Connector

8" Connecting Member

U Start Base Block

3 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 12*

* Note: U Start Base Block actual coverage length is 16 11/16"

Belair Wall 2.0 is ideal for retaining and freestanding wall construction where aesthetics are a key consideration. The attractive multipiece design and blended colors offer an alternative look to traditional retaining wall blocks. Belair Wall 2.0 can be used in curves and corners, terraces and raised patios, or steps and columns.

Toscana

Victorian

Freestanding Wall

6 x 6 x 5

Freestanding Wall

6 x 10 x 5

Freestanding Wall

6 x 16 x 5

Cap

3 x 7/8 x 13 1/2

Retaining Wall

6 x 6 x 8

Retaining Wall

6 x 10 x 8

Retaining Wall

6 x 16 x 8

Column/Corner

6 x 16 x 8

Wall End Unit

6 x 8 x 11

Cap End Unit

3 x 13 1/2 x 8

U Start Base Block

3 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 12

* Note: U Start Base Block actual coverage length is 16 11/16"

Rough-hewn texture and natural hues give Celtik Wall a time-honed appearance recalling classic European gardens. Celtik Wall's antiqued look is complemented by modern manufacturing, which yields precise dimensional consistency, resulting in the perfect companion to paver projects, landscape contouring, or garden areas.

Bella

Sierra

Toscana

Victorian

135mm Celtik Wall

5 5/16 x 8 7/8 x8 7/8

135mm Celtik Wall

5 5/16 x 8 7/8 x 10 7/16

135mm Celtik Wall

5 5/16 x 8 7/8 x 13 9/16

135mm Celtik Wall

5 5/16 x 8 7/8 x 17 1/8

90mm Retaining Wall

3 9/16 x 8 7/8 x 6 7/8

90mm Retaining Wall

3 9/16 x 8 7/8 x 10 7/16

90mm Retaining Wall

3 9/16 x 8 7/8 x 13 9/16

90mm Retaining Wall

3 9/16 x 8 7/8 x 17 1/8

Cap

3 9/16 x 12 x 16

Step-Tread

13 1/2 x 16 x 3 1/2

10 1/2 x 16 x 3 1/2

The rough-hewn distressed look and easy installation system have made Diamond 9D a favorite for residential wall projects. The system is topped with a coordinating cap unit.

Color Swatch Not Available

Retaining Wall

6 x 17 1/4 x 9

Cap

6 x 17 1/4 / 12 x 10 3/8

Diamond 9D Virtual Joint features a rough-hewn distressed texture and includes virtual joints that create the look of a multi-piece system with the installation speed of a single-piece system.

Color Swatch Not Available

Standard Block

6 x 17 1/4 x 9

Virtual Joint - Left

6 x 17 1/4 x 9

Virtual Joint - Right

6 x 17 1/4 x 9

Cap

6 x 17 1/4 / 12 x 10 3/8

Mega Tandem MSRW system designed by Belgard provides the natural appearance of chiseled stone that will complement any hardscape. The innovative, versatile system can be used to create attractive, curved or straight retaining and freestanding, landscape walls. Great for use in a wide range of hardscape projects.

Special Order Item.

Special Order

Mega-Tandem

12 x 24 x 3

Tandem Cap

15 x 24 x 3 1/4

22 5/16" Connector

Supports gravity walls up to 6'

View original post here:
Retaining Wall Blocks | Landscape & Patio Stone Retaining ...

Only a structural engineer or mason can say for sure, but if yours shows any of these signs, it may be time for a new one.

Leaning: Walls like the one shown, that slant noticeably are not long for this world. Whether it's caused by tree roots, poor drainage, or a failed footing, a leaning wall will probably have to be demolished and rebuilt from scratch.

Cracking:You can fill minor blemishes in poured concrete with hydraulic cement. In a mortared wall, simply chisel out damaged joint filler and repoint. But if the cracks are more than -inch wide and deep, and more than 2 feet long, the wall may have structural damage. Call in a pro to assess whether the affected area can be repaired or has to be replaced.

Sagging:A pronounced dip in the courses of a timber or interlocking block wall indicates that the footing has failed in one spot. A pro may be able to replace the footing beneath the damaged area and rebuild just that section of the wall.

Bulging:When mortared masonry develops a pot belly, the likely culprit is a buildup of water pressure behind it. Try drilling a -inch weep hole with a masonry bit to encourage drainage. A bulge in a timber or interlocking block wall is typically caused by a lack of anchoring. Careful excavation behind the wall may allow a protruding section to be rebuilt. Consult a pro before starting work.

Excerpt from:
DIY Retaining Wall Ideas | Types of Retaining Walls

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Perfect for sea walls and large retaining walls in HO scale. The master pattern for this wall was painstakingly hand laid and detailed to create the best looking modeled stone wall to date. Looking fo...

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perryfamilystore store Up for sale is a six panel set of Cut Stone retaining walls. Cast with ResinThese are for making curved or step-down walls. They measure 3.75" tall by 1.6" wide each. These mat...

The Urban Retaining Walls kit features Each model features detailed plastic parts, molded in concrete and dark gray. 8 tall, 4-panel retaining walls each 8 x 2-1/2" 20.3 x 6.3cm. 8 short, 4-panel reta...

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perryfamilystore store Up for sale is a six panel set of Cut Stone retaining walls. Cast with ResinThese are for making curved or step-down walls. They measure 2.58" tall by 1.6" wide each. These mat...

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