Concrete Block Retaining Wall Design Guide

Retaining wall design 10 editionth a design guide for earth retaining structures contents at a glance.

Concrete block retaining wall design guide.

An information series from the national authority on concrete masonry technology ncma tek 15 8a 1 guide to segmental retaining walls introduction segmental retaining walls are modular block retaining walls used for vertical grade change applications. Follow the block manufacturer s instructions for wall height limits. Design procedure overview 3. It is commonly used to separate drainage material from other soil.

Excavation work for concrete block retaining walls. Planning the retaining wall a locking flange on the blocks for this project makes your retaining wall ideas easier to accomplish. Concrete masonry unitsconcrete blocks manufactured to provide an attractive durable stable face to a retaining wall. How to build a concrete wall figure a.

Of compacted base 1 in. Geotextilea permeable polymeric material which may be woven non woven or knitted. Forces on retaining walls 6. Building codes and retaining walls 5.

They are commonly h or double u configuration. Tall wall excavate a trench deep enough to accommodate 4 to 6 in. The interlocking retaining wall block can be used to build walls up to 24 to 36 inches high depending on the size of the block. Foundation all concrete block walls must rest on a sturdy foundation of poured concrete.

The table gives you a number of wall heights and the number and size of blocks required for the height of the wall. The geo mat is attached to the blocks with galvanized steel fixing. Concrete block retaining wall construction consists of number of phases including excavation foundation soil preparation retaining wall base construction concrete block unit placement grouting and drainage system installation. Cross section of a retaining wall a cinder block retaining wall is only as straight and solid as the base it s built on.

Soil mechanics simplified 4. Earthquake seismic design 7. Concrete block design table you can use the concrete lego block retaining wall design table above as a guide. Of leveling sand and half the height of the first course of blocks.

Soil bearing and stability 8. The walls are designed and constructed as either gravity retaining walls conventional or reinforced soil retaining walls. The depth and size of the foundation will vary depending on the size of the concrete block wall and the weight it must support but a typical freestanding wall requires a foundation that is about twice as wide as the wall itself and which extends about 1 foot down below the frost line. These phases are explained briefly.