Features of the construction of retaining walls

In order to keep the soil excavations and bulkheads from damage, install retaining walls. A wide variety of amazingly beautiful buildings can be found in country cottages, gardens, parks.

The construction of the retaining walls is also carried out for:

• Optimal use of the site;
• Terracing the plot ;
• Ensuring conditions for good plant growth;
• Creating a decorative effect;
• Creating a drainage in the right direction.

Not even the biggest differences in the relief of the unprepossessing plot can be so modified that it will become unusually beautiful. The swampy, uninviting hilly terrain can be decorated with gorgeous terraces with stairs, cascades of waterfalls - this will turn it into a cozy rest area.

Rules for the implementation of retaining walls:

1. In order to obtain the desired bias, it is necessary to pour the earth, without undermining.
2. The foundation is laid for a wall height of more than 30 cm. The calculation is made taking into account the type of soil and the required height of the structure.
3. The broken form of the wall is attached not only to the original appearance, but also to increase the strength of the structure.
4. The design should take into account the drainage of groundwater, for this you need to properly place the drainage system.

Design of retaining walls begins with the definition of soil properties, the height of the structure. The values of the loads constantly acting on the wall are determined: the intrinsic weight; Weight of cargoes on it; Ground pressure, which is used to fill the foundation and the wall; The pressure of this soil behind the structure; Frictional forces with soil. In addition to them, periodic forces act on the wall:

• Wind;
• Seismic;
• Vibrational, from transport;
• Flood;
• Frosty, possibly swelling the soil.

They need to be taken into account when designing to ensure the strength of the structure. For the stability of the retaining walls from overturning and shearing, the following actions are taken:

• In the direction of backfilling the back edge is projected with a slope, this will reduce the pressure of the buried soil;
• Reduce the earth pressure can be increased by increasing the roughness of the back edge of the structure by displacing the rows of material from which it will be executed;
• Drainage is mandatory;
• The additional console on the front side will increase the footprint;
• In the buried soil, hollow lightweight elements can be laid to reduce lateral pressure on the retaining wall.

The construction of the retaining walls begins, if necessary, with the erection of the foundation. Two types of base are used: a belt or pile foundation. Walls with a height of more than 2 m require additional calculation.

Manufacturing of retaining walls can be made of wood, concrete, natural stone, brick. The technology of construction is as follows: in the form of a trench, the soil is developed in the place where the construction is planned. Drilled holes in steps of about a meter, to a depth of 0.8-1.2 meters. The main logs, pretreated with antiseptic, are installed to protect them from moisture and decomposition. Between them, crushed stone is about 20 cm thick, which at the same time will be the foundation and drainage. For one third of the length in the ground are installed intermediate posts, tightly fastened together with a cable and armature. Then backfilling and painting of the wall is performed.

Reduce the cost and facilitate the erection can be with the use of concrete blocks or a monolithic device. After laying concrete to the wall, attach a metal mesh and lined with stone or brick. This kind of finish is considered the most reliable, while down laying large stones, on top of smaller ones.