Cburke
Geotechnical
- Oct 7, 2023
- 3
I wanted to see if any of you have come across an inexpensive retaining wall option. This is in south louisiana for residential construction. The retaining wall is intended to go around the perimeter of the lot on the property line. Common practice is to install fence posts and dig a trench and go an equal distance below grade as formed above reinforced using rebar (12” wall above must have 12” wall below total 24” wall). These are poured walls that are labor intense and require concrete pumping and lots of lumber to form. I often see them crack or sink over time as they are being used in south Louisiana. Local codes don’t allow holes to drain because you arent allowed to drain on neighboring properties. Many of the walls are between 12” and 36” high above grade and as 60” in extreme cases. I have been looking at icf for form on poured walls but that still requires pumping. I have also looked at precast interlocking blocks including those that are smaller up to the larger style lego blocks. They also have L shape precast retaining walls. I also have looked at jersey barriers that can be found fairly cheap and similar forms Inc a have made and precast them myself. I guess I’m checking to see thoughts and ideas where maybe a tier or terraced precast item can be used and best method that would save on labor and cost. In all cases I expect geo grid, gravel and pvc drains will have to be used to alleviate water pressure. So in either case of Jersey barrier or non blocks will they work, what type of foundation is best to place them on and in case of a 60” wall how far apart would the inside barrier have to be placed from the outside barrier wall to use them to gain a 60” height above adjacent grade?
