Retaining walls stabilize slopes and prevent soil erosion, converting unused spaces into usable areas. They can also create a level area for patios or driveways.
While some retaining walls can be built as DIY projects, professional installation ensures structural integrity and longevity. Hiring contractors offers benefits like faster installation, access to superior materials, and a variety of wall designs. Contact Vantaoutdoors for professional help.
Retaining walls prevent soil erosion and provide stability to the area they surround. They can also create functional gardening and entertaining areas in sloped or uneven terrain. Moreover, retaining walls increase the overall value of your property, as potential buyers will be attracted to a well-maintained landscape.
There are two primary types of retaining walls: gravity and reinforced. The type you choose depends on the specific project and site requirements. For example, a reinforced retaining wall may be better for projects requiring a higher wall height or more complex soil conditions than a gravity wall.
Reinforced retaining walls combine soil and reinforcement materials to form a stable structure. They are often used for sites with poor soil conditions and can be built to a variety of heights. They can also be constructed with a range of facings, such as concrete, stone or vegetation.
Retaining walls can prevent sinkholes by helping to redirect water flow away from the affected area. By preventing the accumulation of water and allowing it to drain naturally, retaining walls help prevent the collapse of the rock that forms a sinkhole.
Compared to other retaining wall construction options, MSE walls are quick and easy to build. This makes them a popular choice for highways, bridge abutments and other civil engineering projects. MSE walls use a series of layers of geogrids embedded in the soil to strengthen the structure. They are then mechanically connected to a range of facings, such as precast concrete blocks and panels, gabions or crib walls.
With a design that can withstand high pressures and resist deformation, MSE walls are one of the most durable and low maintenance types of retaining walls available. They can be designed to a range of heights and soil conditions, including seismic events. In addition, they are an excellent option for steep slopes where a gravity wall is not feasible.
Gravity Walls
Retaining walls provide much-needed stability for sloping property areas. They also enhance and beautify landscapes. Many Portland area homeowners want to address sloping areas of their property to maximize usable land and add aesthetic value. Fortunately, there are several types of retaining walls to choose from to meet your project needs and goals.
The most basic type of retaining wall is the gravity retaining wall. These are engineered structures that rely on their own weight and a strategic setback to counteract soil pressures. They can be built from a variety of materials including concrete, stone and brick. They are typically shorter than other retaining wall types.
In addition to their ability to resist lateral soil pressures, gravity walls can help direct water flow. This is especially important when a slope is located near a body of water. This can reduce the risk of flooding and improve overall soil conditions.
Unlike reinforced retaining walls, gravity walls don’t utilize anchors or leverage and are usually constructed from segmented concrete blocks or mortarless stone. They may also have a “batter” setback that helps improve stability by leaning back into the retained soil. They are more cost-effective than other retaining walls and require less maintenance over time due to their simple construction.
Gravity block walls are a popular option for many projects. Their large interlocking concrete blocks offer durability, versatility and installation efficiency. They are available in a wide variety of finishes and colors, making them a great choice for achieving a wide range of architectural styles. Using high-performance concrete, these walls are designed to last and require less maintenance than other retaining wall types.
Generally, they are more economical than reinforced walls as they do not require steel rebar reinforcement. However, the cost of a retaining wall will vary based on its height and complexity.
Reinforced walls are better suited for steeper slopes and can handle higher soil loads than gravity walls. They can also be used in areas where water or airflow might cause erosion problems. However, reinforced walls are more expensive than gravity walls.
Cantilever Walls
A cantilever retaining wall is an extremely strong type of masonry retaining wall. These walls are built in places where a geogrid or gravity retaining wall cannot meet the structural requirements of the project due to right-of-way restrictions, tight excavation areas or other constraints. A cantilever retaining wall is built by tying the base course, several courses – or even the entire retaining wall itself – with rebar and concrete fill throughout to achieve added strength. The result is a retaining wall that resists overturning and sliding from lateral pressures like those that act upon a telephone pole buried in earth.
Cantilever retaining walls are typically built with a reasonably thin vertical stem of steel-reinforced cast-in-place concrete or mortared masonry like CMU blocks. These walls can be precast or constructed on-site. They can be designed to be either sloping or straight. The sloping wall design allows for the addition of terraced gardens on the side of the retaining wall, while the straight style can help provide access to the back of the property.
The height of the retaining wall, soil conditions, location and exposure all determine the need for drainage provisions. For example, in areas that are subject to heavy rainfall or freezing temperatures, a continuous drain along the back face of the retaining wall may be required.
A retaining wall footing must be properly designed to ensure that the bearing pressure at the base of the footing does not exceed the allowable soil bearing pressure. This is accomplished by using a computer program such as ASDIP RETAIN that demonstrates the stresses and moments in the footing.
The main load on a retaining wall occurs on the backfill side. However, there are also lateral loads acting on the front of the retained soil. These lateral loads can be distributed evenly or can have a strip load effect at the top of the retainer. The ASDIP RETAIN program shows how these load combinations affect the shear and moment in the wall’s stem. This helps engineering professionals select the most appropriate reinforcement for the structure and ensure that the retaining wall meets its structural requirements.
Stone or Brick Walls
When you want to create an old world feel with your landscape, stone walls are a good choice. They offer an all-natural, eco-friendly appearance that blends seamlessly into outdoor environments. Stone is also extremely durable and can stand up to harsh weather conditions, heavy loads and long-term use. Additionally, stone offers a variety of colors, shapes and textures that can match any architectural style. However, it can be expensive and labor intensive to build.
A stone veneer retaining wall, which uses thin stones covering a block foundation, is a cost-effective alternative to natural stone. It’s a popular option for country, colonial and English garden style landscaping. However, it requires a lot of water to support the structure, so it’s important to properly drain around the wall to prevent erosion.
Brick retaining walls offer a classic look that suits most architectural styles. They’re easy to maintain, as they only require occasional cleaning to remove dirt and stains. Brick is also a sustainable material for building homes, as it’s an excellent insulator that helps regulate indoor temperatures and reduce energy costs.
CMU, or concrete masonry unit, walls are another affordable and versatile choice for retaining walls. These blocks are made from cement, crushed rock and aggregate, and can be used in a wide range of design options. They’re commonly used for walls up to nine feet in height, and they’re an effective solution when you need to stabilize a slope. Like SRW and poured walls, it’s a good idea to install a weep drain in the bottom of a CMU wall for proper drainage.
You may have seen this type of retaining wall before—they’re the kind that appear next to a supermarket or other commercial buildings. They’re usually built to withstand the lateral pressure of soil and are quite sturdy when constructed correctly. However, they aren’t as attractive as other retaining wall designs.
Whether you’re using them for practical purposes or simply as an aesthetic addition to your home, retaining walls are a smart investment. But, to ensure your retaining walls last for decades to come, it’s essential that you choose the right materials and have a reliable masonry contractor on hand.