Retaining Wall Questions
Retaining Wall Questions
(OP)
I am trained as a mechanical engineer and as such am feeling moderately dumb when it comes to soil retention. I have a shared property line that is a slope and needs to be retained. There is also a pretty good possibility of having a fair amount of drainage along the top as well as the bottom of what will be the wall. The soil is, as far as I can tell from what I have read, heavy clay with a fair amount of rocks and gravel. The slope on one end is about 3 to 4 feet high, at the other end, 6 feet high. It is about 70-80 feet long. At the base at the shallow end, there is a storm drain.
It has been suggested that a rock/boulder gravity wall is the cheapest, which I can’t verify at this time, but someone else will do the work. I am very concerned about erosion behind the wall and along the base. What can be done in such a situation to keep the soil where it is and have a good, stable, long-lasting wall?
What are some of my other options in building the retaining wall? I am trying to keep the budget as low as possible.
Finally, having a good knowledge of mechanical engineering, is there a source where can I get some good practical learning on the design of retaining wall systems and earth retention and the necessary governing equations? Thanks in advance for the help!!
It has been suggested that a rock/boulder gravity wall is the cheapest, which I can’t verify at this time, but someone else will do the work. I am very concerned about erosion behind the wall and along the base. What can be done in such a situation to keep the soil where it is and have a good, stable, long-lasting wall?
What are some of my other options in building the retaining wall? I am trying to keep the budget as low as possible.
Finally, having a good knowledge of mechanical engineering, is there a source where can I get some good practical learning on the design of retaining wall systems and earth retention and the necessary governing equations? Thanks in advance for the help!!





RE: Retaining Wall Questions
Do a review of the information on the topic of retaining walls in the form. Lots of references given.
A design of a retaining wall should be completed by a person who practices in this field. Best to contact a local who can aid you in the design and provide advice as required. This may or may not include the placement of geofabrics between the rock and clay soils. There are several factors which will need to be addressed before finalization of the wall type (rock, gabion baskets, concrete, soil reinforcement). The wall is not that high, but there are the other factors such as water level, slope angle, property line/storm drain details will all have to be worked out.
regards
RE: Retaining Wall Questions
RE: Retaining Wall Questions
RE: Retaining Wall Questions
There's timber retaining walls.
Masonry landscape block.
Structural concrete or masonry.
RE: Retaining Wall Questions
The best place to start is with your local block companies or wall installers (if you hire an installer). I can give you the name of the systems that are in you area if you would like. The local installers will also know all the local codes in the area. You might even consider some hardscaping landscape contractors.
The best place to go to learn about design and construction is probably the "systems" website.
In reverse alphabetical order:
www.westblocksystems.com
www.versa-lok.com
www.keystonewalls.com
www.anchorwall.com
These are just a few and will be good places to start if you want a decorative face. Also their websites might give locations of dealers.
Consider all the above suggestions and determine the look you want to achieve and good luck with you project.