Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
(OP)
The contractor wants me to design a wall retaining about 8 - 10 ft of soil. Because he doesnt want to deal with frost depth (too close to the neighbor), he wants to use hellical piers underneath the wall instead. Can someone guide me through what I should do first? Can you really do this? You probably need counterfort with hellical pier right?





RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
You could contact Atlas Systems Inc. They are a CO local (least in CS) helical installer. They can help with design parameters.
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
Good luck, but I think I'd rethink the use of a cantilever retaining wall.
f-d
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
As for frost depth, I wouldn't design a wall that didn't go below the frost depth. What happens if an ice lense forms beneath the wall? Just too many potential problems in not founding a structure below the frost depth. Additionally, it is unlikely that the local code offical would allow a wall not founded below the frost depth.
As for using helical anchors, it can be done. It will not be easy but it is possible. In the end, it is probably easier and cheaper to design a standard wall and pay the nearby property owner a little money for a temporary easement.
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
There is also the classic gravity wall to be considered. This may still require a deep foundation.
Secant piles may also work for you. There have been some done in CS, and of course T.Rex in Denver probably got a volume discount on them.
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
MSE does not mean you have to do a block face; however, I would rather have an experienced contractor build that type of wall. Also, since MSE is considered to be flexible, you would have to be sure your stone facing could handle the movement.
I think your concept could work, although it seems overkill for 4-5 feet retained. Do you know the depth to, and type of, bedrock? This could impact the use of helicals.
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel
RE: Retaining wall w/o toe and heel