WHAT IS A REINFORCED SOIL WALL STRUCTURE?
Composite structures which utilize wall units and
geo-grid to create a stable mass that can be designed and constructed
to much greater heights than simple gravity walls. Reinforced soil
wall structures combine the mass of the composite structure with
the strength of the geo-grid to resist external earth pressures.
WHY DO SOME WALLS NEED REINFORCEMENT?
Geo-grid creates a stable mass that allows walls to
be designed and constructed to much greater heights than simple
gravity walls because it stabilizes the soil behind the wall face.
Geo-grid is used to impart tensile strength into soil structures,
allowing such structures to be built taller and steeper than the
soil alone would allow, or for building on soils with bearing capacities
insufficient for supporting a proposed structure. Geo-grid can be
thought of as performing in the soil in much the same way that reinforcing
steel bars perform in the concrete. The amount of geo-grid required
in a retaining wall structure, and the spacing of layers of geo-grid
in the retaining wall structure, must all be determined by the specific
design considerations (wall height, surcharge loadings, soil, etc.)
of the individual project (see
Reinforcement).
HOW HIGH CAN WALLS BE BUILT WITHOUT THE USE OF
GEO-GRID?
The various Keystone retaining wall systems can be
constructed between two-feet and six-feet high (in ideal conditions)
depending on the type of unit, soil conditions, amount of batter
used and surcharge on top of wall. Contact Lockcrete Bauer to determine
if your project can be built without the need for geo-grid.
ARE CONCRETE FOOTINGS EVER NECESSARY OR REQUIRED?
In most cases, Keystone walls can be built directly
on six to eight inches of well-compacted granular base. However,
there may be instances to consider the use of a concrete leveling
pad. Examples of this are: applications near water, a taller wall
built on soft subsoils, or a wall that is very long (by using concrete
footing, the contractor can speed up the installation process).
WHAT IS THE BEST MATERIAL ON WHICH TO BUILD THE
WALL?
Angular crushed stone (1/2-inch to 3/4-inch), crushed
gravel or limestone are best for the base pad.
WHAT MATERIALS SHOULD BE USED AS BACKFILL?
A clean, well-draining granular fill, like 1/2-inch
to 3/4-inch angular crushed stone, is the most effective. Do not
use pea gravel, rounded aggregates, sand, excavated surface vegetation
or other unsuitable soil types.
HOW WILL THE DESIGN OF THE WALL AFFECT OR CORRECT
THE DRAINAGE FLOW PATTERNS OF MY SITE?
Since the effects of water and overall drainage flow
patterns represent the most common source of problems for retaining
walls, it is critical that the contractor evaluates the impact that
the property drainage flow patterns will have on the wall, and the
effect that the drainage flow pattern of the newly constructed wall
will, in turn, have on the site.
HOW DO SOIL PROPERTIES AFFECT THE DESIGN OF THE
WALL?
The soil’s shear strength (angle of internal
friction and cohesion and moist soil weight) determines the design
characteristics of the soils for use within the wall structure.
The more granular the soils (the higher the friction angle and drainage
capability) the more efficient the wall design and soils reinforcement
will be. Granular soils can be easily compacted, resulting in a
superior structure performance.
What is the Product Warranty?
Each retaining wall unit manufactured by The Bauer Company Inc. comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original purchaser. If a product installed according to the manufacturers recommendations, deteriorates due to natural causes, The Bauer Company Inc. will replace such units without cost to the original purchaser with proof of purchase. The Bauer Company Inc. disclaims any warranty with regard to color, color consistancy, or surface composition due to natural material variations. Efflorescence, a common whitish deposit found on many concrete products occurs naturally and no warranty or liability is expressed or implied for this condition. due to natural weathering of products, color matching of any replacement units cannot be guaranteed. This warranty shall not apply to any unit that is damaged, defective, or fails to meet the warranty standard due to improper installation, chemical contact, structural design, or excessive or unforeseen site conditions beyond The Bauer Company Inc. control. The Bauer Company Inc. responsibility is limited to its products only and not the costs related to installation of those products.
The above warranty is the exclusive limited product warranty. All other warranties, expressed or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, are disclaimed.
WILL MY LOCAL BUILDING OFFICIAL REQUIRE A DESIGN
PREPARED BY AN ENGINEER?
The Uniform Building Code Section 106.2 requires a
building permit for earth retaining structures over four feet high.
Many local building officials require a design prepared by an engineer.
However, there are many locations that have no provisions for engineered
design.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PREPARE BEFORE I EXCAVATE?
Check with your local utility companies to make sure
there are no underground pipes or cables running through the site.
Your state’s One Call system can arrange to have all of your
utility lines marked.
- Ohio Utilities Protection Service: 1-800-362-2764
(www.oups.org)
- Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc.: 1-800-242-1776
(www.paonecall.org)
- Miss Utility of West Virginia, Inc.: 1-800-245-4848
(www.muwv.org)
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