A retaining wall serves to support what is next to it, most of the time it is to withstand the pressure exerted by the earth. It can be useful for a terrace, for landscaping banks and pathways, but it is mostly used to counter land and fight against landslides and landslides.
As its name suggests, a retaining wall is used to support, that is to say, to contain and withstand the very strong pressures of land, most often composed of soil or sand. Generally, it helps to fight against landslides and landslides when the ground is sloping. It is widely used on the banks and public roads but the retaining wall also has its use in private gardens.
The retaining wall consists of a base wheelbase, breeze blocks in some cases, and must be drained to prevent water from seeping in and eventually causes cracks. To fight against moisture, many people apply a water repellent coating or even tar. In individuals, the retaining wall can also have a decorative function in gardens that are located in particular slope.
A retaining wall is, by definition, a wall designed to hold land in a small space to meet different human needs.
Role and description of the retaining wall
These necessities can be the preservation of roads and paths (facing possible landslides), the structuring of a bank in quay, the creation of obstacles or protections, the establishment of foundations. The retaining wall can be done of steel, of reinforced concrete , bricks, dry stones, stone, rubble, and sometimes even wood or polymer .
Construction of a retaining wall
It is necessary to calculate well the thrust of the grounds and to choose the construction of the wall according to this one. The retaining wall can be created according to the principle of weight wall, anchored walls or stepped walls. It is also necessary to regularly drain the retaining walls to prevent them from being damaged by the pressure of the water.
The retaining wall
The retaining walls punctuate the properties, frame gardens and terraces and sometimes open on flights of steps. We see them everywhere without really noticing them. Who are they?
The characteristics of the retaining walls
Retaining walls are found on sloping ground, always outdoors. They support a portion of land in a delimited space by opposing its thrust. It can be a house, a garden, a swimming pool, a garage.
This means that its construction requires ground preparation and skills in earthworks and masonry. In fact, poorly done, the retaining wall can collapse under the weight of the retained earth and become a risk for all.
The retaining wall obeys very precise specifications. It must not exceed 4 m high and can only be installed on slopes not exceeding 10 ° . An effective drainage system is mandatory. This is to move water from the foundations of the wall. Finally, their operating charge must be less than 175 daN / m².
Techniques for building a retaining wall
The techniques of support differ according to the degree of the slope, the unevenness of the ground and the type of earth to remember: simple earth, pebbles, gravel and its quantity.
Whatever the nature of the ground, the retaining wall has foundations. It is therefore necessary to carry out a preliminary soil survey. Clay, compressible materials, mud and peat mosses are to be excluded
Most retaining walls are constructed of 20 cm thick concrete blocks. Their low cost and their ease of implementation are decisive arguments. The average price of a cinder block retaining wall is 100 € per m². After all depends on the length.
Dry stone, rubble, stone, bricks, reinforced concrete, steel or wood can also be used. Note: when the retaining wall is also a party wall, do not forget the legal aspect to know if your neighbors are likely to share the costs or not.
There are anti-noise retaining walls. Professionals use monolithic bricks (BMA) or hollow bricks that are combined with mineral wool or wood concrete. In this case, it is recommended to make joint action with the neighbors for maximum efficiency and to reduce the price of the realization.