Building a Retaining Wall

Retaining Wall Construction

A Retaining Wall is one that is built to prevent the earth pressure, so greater efforts are horizontal.

The horizontal forces tend to slide and tip, the pressure of the land depends on the size and weight of the land mass, on the other hand, these dimensions and weight depend on the nature of the terrain and water content.

To achieve the stability of a retaining wall, must oppose a set of forces that counteract the horizontal thrust and vertical stresses transmitted by columns or bearing walls , including loads of slabs that rest on them.

Should be avoided:

The fall of the wall effect of its spin on an edge.

The sliding parallel to his seat on the floor.

The Wall counteract the thrust of the ground:

Their own weight.

The weight of the earth on an element of the wall (heel or toe).

Phases Construction Retaining Wall Reinforced Concrete

Stakeout

Excavation and Earthworks

Implementation of Concrete Cleaning

Attaching the shoe armor.

Concreting of the footing.

Run the formwork on the inside of the wall (soffit).

Placement of the reinforcement of the retaining wall.

Forming the outer face (extrados)

Placing and vibrating the concrete.

Stripping.

It is important to consider the appropriate disposition of the armor, according to the design of the shoe in relation to the thrust of the land.

To improve stability, rather than building a massive wall and thick, uniform section, runs the wall with a trapezoidal section. When the building permit conditions, agrees that the outer wall forms an inclined plane (slope), thus increasing the width of the base to ensure overall stability and lower center of gravity.

Drainage System

An important point to consider is the water content of the ground, because the angle of internal friction of the land decreases with increasing water content and thrust.

The existence of water in the soil can cause softening of the mass of house modifying the structure and increasing thrust.

To control and eliminate potential hazards by water accumulation on the back of the wall, installing a drainage system.