Retaining Wall

[Curtis M]

I have this bank here that is about 6 foot high and over 100 feet long. I have some very large numbers coming in just for the retaining wall.
got any ideas how I could build a 100 x 80 building and not deal with building a retaining wall ?

 

[john56h]

You could incorporate the retaining wall into the building foundation. Make the one foundation wall seven or eight feet in height and built of structural concrete...then backfill it.

Either that, or consider gabion retaining walls. They are wire baskets that get filled with rip-rap stones. Those are about the cheapest retaining walls.

 

[tigerbalm2424]

Ever thought of doing it yourself? I built mine around my house. Its 140 feet long and varies from 3-6 feet it height, three tier. My time is free to me so I dont count labor. I think materials were around 5K total. I used Anchor Diamond Beveled 68 lb blocks.

 

[Wardster]

Why not just lay the slope back? Will there be a surcharge on the wall? (ie something heavy within 9' of the edge of the wall). All these things will have to be determined before you can design the wall.

-Wardster

 

[Kevin54]

Are both the upper and lower areas yours? If so, then I would think about sloping it back so it is not so steep then plant it. I like John56h's idea...incorporate it into one of the foundations and level out the upper area to the building. Just make sure you backfill with gravel, seal the foundation, and have drainage tile along the edge.

 

[Curtis M]

Thanks
I have been pondering all the options you have give me.

 

[Moodster]

Four feet is as tall as you can go on a retaining wall without needing something like geogrid. Generally it is cheaper to break the wall up into a series of smaller walls. So for example you could use two three foot retaining wall and leave a small bed for planting in between. Retaining walls aren't cheap any way you go. However since a significant amount of money is spent on the labor you could save a lot doing it yourself.

david

 

[PurdueSD]

what kind of numbers where you quoted?

 

[tigerbalm2424]

Four feet is as tall as you can go on a retaining wall without needing something like geogrid. Generally it is cheaper to break the wall up into a series of smaller walls.

Very good point. Also, realize that adding say two layers(overkill) of geogrid to the entire wall probably cost an extra $200 and add 30 minutes of labor.

 

[Moodster]

You can't really calculate the cost of geogrid without knowing the block manufacturer you're going with. Geogrid adds a lot more labor because you have to compact the ground behind the wall even further back than you normally would. In my experience most companies who build non-commercial retaining walls don't do it right. They generally skip steps like geogrid, compacting the ground, etc. The wall behind your building will require good adherence to the block manufacturer's spec because judging by the eroding bank there is a lot of water flowing off that parking lot. Also you'll need to think about how close cars can park to the retaining wall because that can introduce additional loads. Anyway I hope this helps.

david

 

[Wardster]

john56h has given you the best advice for your application. You already have to build a wall for the shop, so why not engineer it to function as a retaining wall? The distances may require you to install waterstops at joints to eliminate moisture problems, but it can be done. I would be interested, like others, to hear the estimates you have received so far.

-Wardster

 

[Sundowner]

check your local codes. In NJ, any wall over 4' has to be signed and sealed by a professional engineer.

fwiw, I have a 4' high wall that's 195 feet long and it runs the bank of a stream down my property line that goes to my lake. It's made of what we in NJ call "mafia blocks" which are really just concrete blocks 3'x3'x4' and they're stacked 2 layers high (and buried 2' into the ground). At hte time they were the cheapest thing available. these days they make mafia blocks with decorative stone reliefs on them. I don't know the real name of them, though

 

[PurdueSD]

Just out of curiousity, what can a guy expect to pay to have a wall like this proffesionally installed using geogrid and compaction? I am looking for somebody to install a couple walls on my hilly property.