Retaining Wall Base Width

Insufficient stem width resulting in failure or excessive rotation of the stem.

Retaining wall base width.

Also called drain tile at the base of the wall. 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. More information on retaining walls where the base trench steps up a slope. Cantilevered tilt up walls 13.

The preparation of the base upon which the first layer of block are to be placed is critical to building a well placed stable retaining wall. Counterfort retaining walls 12. 600 mm wide the length of the wall the depth of the trench will be 6 in. Follow the block manufacturer s instructions for wall height limits.

The base width of a gabion gravity retaining wall is directly related to the height of the wall. Retaining walls can be constructed using a variety of materials from poured concrete and large timbers to natural stones even bricks. Using a tape measure decide the length and the width of your retaining wall then mark off the area with the garden stakes and string. Building codes and retaining walls 5.

Earthquake seismic design 7. Retaining wall base trench. Insufficient footing width resulting in rotation or settlement of the wall. One key aspect of retaining wall construction is preparing a solid footing or foundation.

Pier and pile foundations 11. The success of your retaining wall depends on a level base. Retaining wall failures are almost always attributable to poor design or poor construction. Divide the base depth of 5 to 7 inches depending on the height of the wall by 1 944 to determine the square yardage of the depth of the gravel base beneath the wall.

We have provided the diagrams below to illustrate a starting point for design analysis to determine the base width relative to the wall height. Soil bearing and stability 8. Dig a base trench 24 in. 150 mm plus an additional 1 in.

Gabion walls 16. When digging your trench the bottom row of blocks should be buried about 1 inch for every 8 inches of wall height. Wood retaining walls 14. The footing is usually made of poured concrete but in some situations homeowners may instead opt to simply use tamped earth or a gravel base.

25 mm for each 1 ft 300 mm of wall height for the amount or buried block that is needed. Forces on retaining walls 6. Designing the cantilever wall stem 9. Avoid having downspouts pointed at the retaining wall and if it s against the house keep soil and mulch well below the siding.