"Landscaping" Retaining Wall- Frost Depth?
"Landscaping" Retaining Wall- Frost Depth?
(OP)
All,
We are replacing a small (18" tall) retaining wall for a Client and are wondering if it is required to sink the footing to the frost line (48"). The wall is about 10' long and simply retains soil along an exterior walk way.
Our initial instinct is to design a standard cantilevered retaining wall down to the frost line, but are looking for alternatives. Has anyone used a less stringent detail? Is there an IBC 2009 provision that requires that retaining walls (of this size and purpose) to be supported down past frost?
We are replacing a small (18" tall) retaining wall for a Client and are wondering if it is required to sink the footing to the frost line (48"). The wall is about 10' long and simply retains soil along an exterior walk way.
Our initial instinct is to design a standard cantilevered retaining wall down to the frost line, but are looking for alternatives. Has anyone used a less stringent detail? Is there an IBC 2009 provision that requires that retaining walls (of this size and purpose) to be supported down past frost?
"We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us." -WSC






RE: "Landscaping" Retaining Wall- Frost Depth?
I installed my own - so you know any idiot can do it.
I would be worried about a poured wall - cracks, etc.
After 5 years - still looks good.
Cost is about the same all thing considered and I think they look much better.
RE: "Landscaping" Retaining Wall- Frost Depth?
As far as other types of walls, see the post above.
RE: "Landscaping" Retaining Wall- Frost Depth?
Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.
RE: "Landscaping" Retaining Wall- Frost Depth?
RE: "Landscaping" Retaining Wall- Frost Depth?
None of the major wall systems will suggest the use of a concrete footing or guarantee anything since it is a flexible wall. - Not unlike the dissimilarities between concrete pavements (rigid) and asphalt or paver streets/roads (flexible).
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
RE: "Landscaping" Retaining Wall- Frost Depth?
RE: "Landscaping" Retaining Wall- Frost Depth?
But I agree that a handrail at 4' would seem prudent
RE: "Landscaping" Retaining Wall- Frost Depth?
The standard detail and instructions for all the major products do have detailed instructions and suggestions on drainage systems for behind the wall. Unfortunately, for the minor small 2' high walls, they are not always followed.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
RE: "Landscaping" Retaining Wall- Frost Depth?
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RE: "Landscaping" Retaining Wall- Frost Depth?
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RE: "Landscaping" Retaining Wall- Frost Depth?
Funny story - a cemetary (is) on the high side of the wall. While excavating for a new sidewalk, the wall slipped into the excavation. There was an archeologist on site due to the cemetary, and she nearly had caniptions when she saw wood fragments embedded behind where the wall had been. It took a while to get her calmed down enough to realize it was the remnants of formwork for the wall, not caskets!
We replaced it with segmental block.
Maybe the tyranny of Murphy is the penalty for hubris. - http://xkcd.com/319/