Retaining Wall

[SilliamWhale]

Need to build a retaining wall about 5ft high - theres a barn above it and its a good 20m long. I'll be using 9" blocks but wanting some opinions on using columns or pillars to help build strength in the wall. How spaced out are they meant to be? I can't find any info on web about using them

 

[Lincs Lass]

If you are using the double hollow blocks, drop some rebar inside them and mass fill, you end up with a solid wall, I've done it as a retaining wall in a garden but only 3ft.

 

[onesiedale]

why not drop panels into 8x8 columns? Probably work out more cost effective

 

[SilliamWhale]

If you are using the double hollow blocks, drop some rebar inside them and mass fill, you end up with a solid wall, I've done it as a retaining wall in a garden but only 3ft.

Using 9" solid blocks.

why not drop panels into 8x8 columns? Probably work out more cost effective

Mainly because the height of the wall needs to change to suit the buildings surrounding it ,and so tricky to do with panels. When I priced steel incl concrete for the holes etc I haven't found blocks to be that dear.

 

[br jones]

A retaining wall needs to be a third of its height thick,a third of the way up ,and then graduated down,so for the first 20 inches it needs to be 20 inchrs thick the second 3rd it needs to be around 12 inches then 9 inches thick the remainder

 

[Lincs Lass]

What about shuttered mass pour, does that work out more

 

[ORRA LOON]

When the brickies done the retaining wall for our garden they angled it back slightly so that if it did push it would have to go past 90 degrees before starting to lean. I remember they had wooden wedges cable tied to their levels when building.

 

[multi power]

I'd build a pillar every 10 ft

 

[Angus]

When the brickies done the retaining wall for our garden they angled it back slightly so that if it did push it would have to go past 90 degrees before starting to lean. I remember they had wooden wedges cable tied to their levels when building.

I have a feeling that if a wall is battered back from perpendicular, then it should also sit at ninety degrees to the concrete footing. The concrete footing should be placed at an angle.
As @br jones said, height/3 to determine the thickness of the wall and do not forget about drainage, Angus.

 

[Lazy Eric]

9 inch solids? My back is hurting just thinking about those. I’d use hollows and rebar that goes well into the footings then mass fill like lincs lass says, will keep em tied together. RSJ column every 12 ft or so.

 

[multi power]

9 inch solids? My back is hurting just thinking about those. I’d use hollows and rebar that goes well into the footings then mass fill like lincs lass says, will keep em tied together. RSJ column every 12 ft or so.

Hollows are the same weight as 6x9 solids

 

[multi power]

Don't forget about drainage

 

[Lazy Eric]

Sorry I just imagined 9x9 solids

 

[tomlad]

Put a french drain at the base on the buried side , don't think it would need much fall , Pressuming the base concrete footing would be level , just sat straight on that??

 

[Blue.]

Using 9" solid blocks.



Mainly because the height of the wall needs to change to suit the buildings surrounding it ,and so tricky to do with panels. When I priced steel incl concrete for the holes etc I haven't found blocks to be that dear.

Sorry I just imagined 9x9 solids

That’s what he posted!

9” hollows with rebar and filled will be miles stronger and easier,9” solids are hateful things.