Introduction to retaining walls
First, the retaining wall is a structure that holds or holds lateral surfaces of dirt, water, or other materials. Retaining walls are used to prevent the erosion or destruction of higher-level land on a specific building, structure, or total area. Conserved land is often referred to as backfill. The word backfill is also used as a verb to describe placing more dirt behind a retaining wall to make the earth more level.
Retaining walls can be the answer if you are blessed (or damned) before the contour. They can turn a steep slope into a terraced courtyard, creating the effect of stepped steps instead of a slope.
Retaining walls can be built from a variety of different materials using a variety of different methods. There are several factors that influence the choice of which one will be the best choice for each situation, including cost, wall height, soil characteristics and groundwater conditions.
As a rule, most municipalities require that any retaining wall more than four feet high be designed or approved by a licensed engineer. It is important to check local building codes before starting projects with a stand, even if it is below four feet in height. In the end, retaining walls must be structurally sound before there is any thought about aesthetic appeal. The retaining wall must withstand the pressure applied by the backfill, also called lateral pressure on the ground. This lateral earth pressure is most of the force that the retaining wall must withstand. Side soil pressure is determined by examining the weight of a unit of soil, soil slope, soil type (for plasticity and adhesion with clay soil types) and groundwater level. Engineers do a lot of calculations with these factors to determine which design to implement with the wall. For homeowners and contractors who do not want to go through engineering steps, as a rule, the correct rule is to overdo it. Many structural methods for creating earth retention walls, at least temporarily up to four feet high, are adequate, so most local building codes require development if the wall is more than four feet high.
However, even methods that may seem adequate to conserve the earth can fail if they are not properly built. Many times, these are elements below the level that can make (or break) the retaining wall. Problems, including bowing, tilting or cracking, indicate the containment of the wall, because it was not possible to save dirt. Reducing costs with a poor contractor, insufficient materials, or neglecting lower class items may prove more expensive over time, if replacement or repair is often required or if the destruction of the ground causes damage to neighboring structures. For example, erosion can cause problems with the base if dirt falls under the foundation. This is just one example of how a failure of a retaining wall can cause costly problems, as well as repair costs or replace a retaining wall.
Another aspect that is often neglected or underestimated, which can lead to failure of the retaining wall of the drainage. Inadequate drainage of retaining walls can mean that water is trapped behind the wall, adding to the weight that the wall should hold. Usually, smooth holes and / or drainage pipes are used to flush rainwater and groundwater from behind a wall. It is important that the drainage system, whatever it may be, has a filter barrier to prevent contamination of dirt from draining or swimming holes.
Mounting options for wall materials
· Railway sleepers - Railway sleepers, also shortened to railway sleepers, can be used as retaining wall material; however, as with most materials for retaining walls, it must be installed correctly to be a solution. For example, for most railroad bearing walls, a fundamental footer will be required to tie up crossovers to prevent the bottom from sliding. It is also necessary that perpendicular elements are placed in the ground behind the wall so as not to turn the wall. These members, called dead, should be at least 1.5 times the length of the wall and should be placed at least every 6 feet or so. Since railways are timber (even if they are processed most of the time), there is a risk that they may eventually decay or be subjected to termite contamination, which may lead to a weak wall breaking or breaking. And, although there are areas for water that slowly see, however, it is still a good idea to have filtered drainage or smooth holes made in the wall.
· Treated wood. Processed wooden retaining walls have many of the same risks as retaining walls, because over time they are prone to rotting and termite. This is a laborious design, but it is usually lightweight and decently strong if it is built correctly. To secure the wall, it is recommended to install a concrete footer so that it does not move. Typically, construction requires a clear area that will be filled after the wall is built, so this is not always the best material to use if you are replacing an existing retaining wall. This wall still needs a cry of holes or drains directed into the wall. Standing water behind the tree will only increase the risk of decay.
Concrete - Concrete is an excellent material for fixing walls. Of course, there is a right and wrong way to build a concrete retaining wall, which makes choosing your contractor a great job. There are many different designs that can lead to a successful concrete wall, but one thing is certain: to ensure success, a wall is needed to ensure success. Concrete is one of the most durable male products known to man. Most concrete steam rooms today are designed to last more than 50 years. In addition, concrete offers many decorative options. In addition to the plain, white concrete retaining walls, you can also pour a colored concrete retaining wall, stain retaining wall after it has hardened, pour into a patterned form, use a vertical stamp material and a template after pouring, etc. Compacting a concrete wall can result in an easy-to-maintain surface that does not contain dirt and grime.
· Blocks or stones for chopsticks. Engineering blocks that stack together to make a wall should be as simple as building with Legos, shouldn’t they? Nope These retaining walls should also have a significant footer to support not only the mass of dirt, but also the weight of the wall. These blocks may be unique, but you may need to place a concrete wall behind the blocks if there is a tremendous lateral pressure on the ground. In this case, the concrete will be a structural element, using blocks as a visual function.
· Rock or brick - one of the most loved looks for a retaining wall is a natural stone or brick. These materials usually look more consistent and traditionally cool. However, as we have seen with other materials, it is necessary to have a concrete footer below the level to carry the weight and ensure the success of the retaining wall. As with architectural blocks or asphalt paver systems, it may be necessary to support retaining wall masonry with concrete retaining wall for structural support.
