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A retaining wall is a vertical structure that holds back soil to prevent erosion and create level areas in a landscape. Retaining walls can be made from a variety of materials including concrete, wood, and stone. Both the construction method and materials will have an impact on the durability and stability of the wall.
HOW DO retaining walls stay in place?
Retaining walls can be made from wood, bricks, natural stones or concrete blocks. For DIYers, it’s best to use concrete retaining wall blocks, which can be interlocking and are heavy enough to stay in place without cement or other adhesive. Interlocking blocks fit together and add extra security to the wall.
WHY DO retaining walls fail?
There are many causes of a failing retaining wall: Lack of site investigation: Soil compression, backfill materials, water tables, landslides and building codes restricting soil bearing capacity should all be thoroughly investigated to reduce the probability of retaining wall failure.
What are the cons of retaining walls?
One of the major potential cons of block retaining walls is how much work it can be for you to construct yourself. These concrete blocks are heavy, even the hollow ones, and that can make it quickly tiring to build your wall.
What slope requires a retaining wall?
The wall should lean into the hill at a minimum of 1 inch for every 12 inches of height in order to maintain a safe load on the wall.
How do you build a retaining wall on a sloped yard?
To build a retaining wall on a slope, follow these steps: Dig a stepped trench. Gravel base. Install the first row of blocks. Rough gravel. Install remaining block layers. Secure top row blocks. Backfill.
Does a 2 foot retaining wall need drainage?
These walls need a drainage system regardless of the wall height. If there are poor draining soils such as clay behind the wall, there needs to be drainage incorporated the wall system. Clay when wet is very weak, so it is essential to provide a way for water to escape from behind the wall.
Will my retaining wall collapse?
Just like any other quality structure, retaining walls need a sturdy foundation, otherwise they will eventually crack or collapse. Properly compacting the soil underneath before building the wall is crucial.
What happens if a retaining wall collapses?
A failing retaining wall often causes the soil behind the wall to begin moving as the wall moves. In the worst cases, where a failing retaining wall is not repaired and a catastrophic failure occurs, a structure behind the wall can completely lose the support of the soil below it and collapse.
How long should a retaining wall last?
How long will my retaining wall last? For a permanent wall structure, the general lifespan is generally between 50 and 100 years. This does, however, depend on the conditions of the soil and groundwater at your site.
Is concrete good for retaining walls?
One fantastic, practical, cost-effective solution to soil erosion is the installation of a long-lasting, weather-resistant, good-looking retaining wall. And concrete is an excellent substance for building retaining walls that you can enjoy for years to come.
Why are retaining walls required?
YOU NEED TO PREVENT EROSION. Retaining walls can prevent soil from falling down a slope onto your home. They can also prevent dirt from falling down a slope and out from under your house. Both of these situations are very serious, and a retaining wall may be the only thing between you and losing your home.
What is a cantilever retaining wall?
Cantilever retaining walls are constructed of reinforced concrete. They consist of a relatively thin stem and a base slab. The base is also divided into two parts, the heel and toe. Use much less concrete than monolithic gravity walls, but require more design and careful construction.
Does a retaining wall need a footer?
A buried structural footing is usually required for larger retaining walls. To create this, a landscaper pours concrete below frost level (the depth to which the ground will freeze during the winter). Footings poured too shallow are prone to shifting and moving if moisture in the soil freezes and heaves.
How much weight can a retaining wall hold?
Even small retaining walls have to contain enormous loads. A 4-foot-high, 15-foot-long wall could be holding back as much as 20 tons of saturated soil. Double the wall height to 8 feet, and you would need a wall that’s eight times stronger to do the same job.
How deep should posts be for retaining wall?
The theory I work on is – half the height of the wall plus 100mm. For example if your wall is going to be 800mm high, the holes for your posts should be 500mm deep. Time now to concrete your posts into position. Sleeper retaining wall posts come in two varieties – steel galvanised H Beams or a vertical sleepers.
How do you backfill a retaining wall?
Steps For How to Backfill a Retaining Wall Lay your base of compacted native soil (about three inches deep). Tamp the soil to ensure that it is secure and firm. Fill the next six to twelve inches with aggregate or gravel. Tamp the gravel or aggregate to ensure a sturdy base.
Do you need a French drain behind a retaining wall?
If you’re building a retaining wall, add a French drain behind the first course of stones or blocks. Otherwise, water moving down the hill will build up behind the wall and undermine it. The pipe should rest on the same compacted gravel base or concrete footing that supports the wall.
