×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Ecoflex (waste tire gravity wall) retaining wall system

Ecoflex (waste tire gravity wall) retaining wall system

Ecoflex (waste tire gravity wall) retaining wall system

(OP)
Hi All,
I have been researching retaining wall systems for a wall to be built on my property. Due to the size, approximately 100' long and 12' tall, limited funds, and site access restrictions, I have come across a system that an Australian company has been utilizing and has a patent on. Here’s a link to their site:
http://www.ecoflex.com.au/
There are several reasons why this system appeals to me, but I wondered what other professional thoughts, comments, and opinions on this system are before I start the process of hiring a geotech, an engineer, and apply for permits.
I look forward to reading everyone’s posts on this subject.
Regards,
Wancho

RE: Ecoflex (waste tire gravity wall) retaining wall system

Just because there is a patent does not mean it is viable or acceptable application for your situation.

Since you have a 12' wall, you obviously need an engineered design.

Contact a Civil Engineer for an evaluation. Mention your interest in the Australian system as a possibility. He will evaluate the site, drainage soils and create a design.

Do not be disappointed if he does not feel the system is not best suited for your situation. There are currently at least 5 American concrete segmental retaining wall systems currently available from many different suppliers (Boral, etc.) in Australia. A rigid reinforced concrete might also be proposed if you have the money and access.

Dick

RE: Ecoflex (waste tire gravity wall) retaining wall system

Here's what I think.  

Tire (or tyre depending on where you're from) walls have been used experimentally for at least 20 years now.  They work like a large geocells - so from a theory point of view there's nothing new - they are simply another form of coherent gravity structures.  Try this link:

http://www.ces.clemson.edu/arts/RetainingWallrev1.pdf

Find a geotech that is comfortable doing this and you should get a workable structure.  No idea what could acatually be patented probably a specific "system and method for" type of thing.  

Good luck.

RE: Ecoflex (waste tire gravity wall) retaining wall system

For a poor man's geocell have a look at

Tire-reinforced earthfill. Part 1: Construction of a test fill, performance, and retaining wall design

Vinod K. Garga and Vince O'Shaughnessy
Can. Geotech. J./Rev. can. geotech. 37(1): 75-96 (2000)

You should be able to download a copy at http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/cgi-bin/rp/rp2_jour_e

Other papers in the same issue, by the same authors, address the internal mechanics and environmental considerations.

PS: A coworker lives in a semi-underground house, the back wall of which is constructed of scarp tires.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources