Retaining wall in the area with slant

Retaining Wall: How to do it on the site?

In suburban and urban areas, where difficult terrain with hilly or ovrazhistymi sometimes creates a lot of problems related to break and garden planning beautiful yard, I want to put things in order. Typically in such a case section area which is divided into terraces, which are located at different levels. Retaining wall in such cases plays a key role.

Terracing portion is a process of forming a reinforced artificial horizontal plane - terraces or ledge.

Retaining wall is constructed at the boundaries between such planes, thereby preventing occurrence of landslides and avalanches, and helps fertile ground layers.

Unfortunately, it is, that not all the owners of the land could be said that they have flat terrain. So the conclusion is that the retaining wall is an essential part of the plot. She is not only beautify your garden, but this construction will also share it on special areas.

Make a retaining wall itself is not difficult. At the time of the process to realize the most varied plans related to landscaping. Next we will examine the main features of the construction of retaining walls with his own hands.

Retaining wall: the device and functions

There are different designs of the retaining wall. It all depends on the features that should carry out this construction. Retaining wall can be both decorative and fortification. For each of the two types must be a certain degree of impact. But the "backbone" always consists of the main components:

• of the basement (underground part). On it and you have the whole earth pressure heaviness;
• from the body (land part). The wall of the inner side "in contact" with the earth and encircles an elevation of the stretch. On the outer (front) side wall is open, it is flat and oblique;
• of drainage and sewerage (safety communications). When you design a structure to be pre-count method of removing excess moisture and water that constantly accumulate over the internal surfaces of buildings.

At retaining walls have the following functions:

• they are well-zoned land;
• well can transform the landscape are its decorative and artistic elements;
• Protective and fastening ability;
• They make the site even.

Which affects the stability of retaining walls

Maximum resistance, resistance to high pressure - very important qualities which must possess qualities of the retaining wall. Otherwise, the construction can easily be destroyed, and ground slide. Therefore, one should take into account every factor that affects the strength of the supporting walls.

So, we need to understand what is it that acts on the retaining walls? The influence of its own weight construction, adhesion and friction with the ground, the soil pressure, the additional weight of the components that may be on it - all this is of paramount importance.

That may affect the construction of the structure:

• swelling of the soil in the winter;
• wind force (if the retaining wall above 2 m);
• vibration (for example, if the hotel is close to the railway);
• any seismic event (each region is characterized by its own peculiarities);
• cleaning the rainwater.

An additional factor influencing the level of sustainability of construction, is the thickness of the wall. It determines the type of soil and the height of the structure. If the ground is soft, and the backup is high, it is natural that the width of a protective "shield" should be larger. This is logical.

How to organize a retaining wall. Basic moments

Retaining wall is fairly complex engineering design, because before you build it, necessary to take into account certain factors that affect the level of strength, reliability and durability walls. Of course, when the case involved real specialists, everything is done strictly by the rules. And this is very good. But with certain specific skills and taking into account the circumstances under which you can build support, and you can do to build such a structure without any problems.

• Build retaining walls can be extremely stable in the soil (at rubble, clay, loam, gravel and the like).
• Successful arrangement is only possible if the soil freezing will be no more than 1.5 meters from the surface of the soil.
• The ground water level should not be higher than one meter, the best option - is 1.5 m from the surface.

If you are doing the construction yourself, remember that the ground portion of the wall can not be done above 1.4 m. Build higher supporting the construction of the master must, because we can not do without special calculations that take into account the pressure of the soil and its mobility.

How do the underground part. What is the foundation to choose

Retaining wall with a height of more than 30 cm on a mandatory basis should be a reliable foundation. The main principle that we must not forget that the foundation is laid, if the ground is soft and fragile, the depth of the foundation should be doing more.

If you want to align your site, Read our articleAnd you will learn how to do it.

foundation depth and the height of the support, taking into account the looseness of the soil

• If the soil is dense enough, the foundation depth and height of the upper part of the support (above the ground) should relate as 1: 4.
• In the presence of soil with an average depth of looseness foundation should be 1/3 of the height of the support.
• If the soil loose, soft, depth of the foundation should be 1/2 of its height.
• Concrete, crushed stone, gravel, compacted hard clay or cement should be the foundation.

The use of drainage, drainage and waterproofing for the construction of retaining walls

To support equipment should not just lay the quality foundation and build on it a support wall. The design needs to be protected on the other side of the water, which negatively affects her.

Organization of drainage, drainage and, if necessary, sealing the inside of the wall - all this necessary measures no matter what material is used, and what is the size and shape supporting wall. Most importantly, it prevents the accumulation of moisture and water, which for obvious reasons are destructive to the structure.

organization drainage

Drainage of retaining walls is the transverse, longitudinal and combined.

When the transverse drainage organization in every second or third rows are established laying special holes (diameter should not exceed 10 cm) tube or obliquely. Then the water will immediately leave the territory of the site, which is what we wanted.

For the longitudinal (underground) drainage along the retaining walls (below ground level at the basement) put corrugated, ceramic or asbestos cement pipes (diameter is approximately 10-15 cm) wrapped in geotextile material, absorbing water because that passes through small holes in the tube and discharged outside the territory site.

Also made special sunshields or cornice blocks with a bias to atmospheric water does not leak into the brickwork, because at low temperatures, this would entail the destruction of the retaining walls. And this can not be allowed.

Draining layers between the wall and the ground

When the wall is assembled, and stood for a couple of days, the space between it and the slope need to be filled. Suitable for this coarse ground (e.g., gravel, coarse sand and pebbles). We'll have to stock up on small pieces of brick and the rest of the waste material. Without taking into account the fact that gravel pressure on the support, it is - an additional drainage layer.

Each layer of the draining and mixtures soil is filled individually to these layers ramming. It is preferred here to deal with macrofragmental soil and sandy loam sands.

Using topsoil necessary for the upper bowl of paving materials. When compacted with the last layer of the retaining wall is finished, the wall is left in this state for a couple of weeks without additional load. This measure will lead to the fact that restorative materials will find all the necessary properties. It is also necessary beforehand to remove a layer of soil with plenty of humus and put it on top. Having done all these manipulations, it is possible with peace of mind to move to the playground equipment.

Using waterproofing

To extend the life of retaining the brick, wood, metal or concrete wall, it is necessary to conduct the waterproofing from the ground. For this important event, use roofing felt or tar paper roof, struck in two layers. If the soil is dry, the bitumen can be used for applying mastic or the inner surface.

What material do manually retaining walls

First you have to decide on the appointment of the retaining wall, and then pick up to her material. Previously it mentioned that retaining walls may be decorative and fortification.

For the construction of a reinforcing element steep inclinations should use natural stone or concrete. There are areas located near the railway, who regularly lend themselves to soil vibration. And because of this constant intense pressure over a brittle material will soon lose their properties, that will have a negative impact on the level of reliability of the wall.

If you are planning to build a retaining wall as a decorative element, then there is possible to use wood, brick or gabion.

Retaining wall of wood

Installing this type of retaining wall is considered to be cheap, but by the construction process have not so quick and easy as it might seem at first. Creating and installing the wall immediately require a smooth, high-quality wood. More simplified construction method is to place the logs vertically, they fit tightly to each other. Logs with a diameter of 12-18 cm are considered the most suitable for the construction of support walls. The height of the logs should be calculated depending on whether the height of the supporting walls we planned. Proschityvaya advance every step, make sure that when you install a wall somewhere around 50-60 cm in the design will be buried in the ground. And it at least.

Each timber is positioned vertically and close to the other logs. At the top they are tightly wrapped with wire. And in order to prevent displacement, the logs are joined by nails. To ensure maximum stability after the logs have been recorded, the trench must be completely filled with concrete.

To avoid rotting wood, which is partly underground, it is lubricated with engine oil. It is very effective for a given situation.

Do you want to use the following method called "fence"? It will be more difficult in the construction, because here each vertical log should be established with a certain interval. You need to make a special hole in which it is found pretty tight timber of smaller diameter.

There can not do without high-quality and smooth logs, because of things can completely spoiled rotten wood. And we should certainly not this, but it turns out that all the work and effort will go down the drain. Often, use of such a method: the logs are taken, are arranged vertically, stykovyvayas tightly with each other. The diameter is taken, as in the previous method. But the pieces that will remain under the ground, are about 40-50 cm. This length is enough to spring construction stood straight and does not move when the ground begins to absorb moisture at times more. Reliability structure must be provided first.

The retaining wall of concrete

This is - the most durable and thorough design. Its construction begins, pulled out a trench, which will have exactly the same perimeter as the wall itself. It is worth considering the fact that the height of the wall affects the depth of the trench.

At the bottom of the trench is laid mixture of gravel and crushed stone, and then falls armature, which is fixed by means of a connected wire. Only then delivered formwork. Shuttering boards made of a thickness not less than 25 mm and not more than 45 mm. Nails or tie give the fortress construction. In the future it will not crumble, deform concrete. Due to the mixture of formwork sidewalls pressure may start to buckle. To prevent possible further damage, it is necessary to hammer the metal bars at intervals of 1.5 meters.

Upon completion of the preparatory work to strengthen the retaining wall evenly poured concrete. We have to wait a couple of days, that the wall was formed. Then the formwork is removed. And if there are any irregularities, they are smoothed using plaster.

Then you can move on to the tiling, the implementation of which each owner can choose the necessary materials in its sole discretion. It is already possible to give preference to everything that the soul only wish.

Construction of the brick support

The brick wall is laid in the same way as during normal construction. The only thing that should be emphasized: it is necessary to make a thickness of less. If the wall is less than a meter in height, it needs to be spread with the help of half-brick. If the wall is higher, then it applies a brick. Facing materials used are the same as for the concrete to the brick structure.

For the construction of the necessary foundation for the depth that will affect the final height of the wall, soil composition and the degree of frost. If we talk about the width, it is often 20-30 cm longer than the actual retaining wall.
During construction of the wall important to remember to follow the ratio of the length and thickness of 1: 3. Special design retaining the brick walls are always singled out among its similar structures of different material. Installing such a wall is not considered to be too simple, but at the same time and is not very difficult. The main thing - is to carefully follow the instructions for each item.

Retaining walls made of natural stone

The construction of stone walls - it's more significant financial and physical costs. But it's worth it, because the beauty and aesthetics of such support can not be compared with anything. Indeed, if you look at such a construction, it should be noted this particular style and look, which gives natural stone throughout the building.

Stone retaining wall is of considerable advantage in the preformed excavation pockets planted plants. Natural stone - the most attractive material from which manually creates a retaining wall. Often used in the construction of granite, basalt and syenite. This is - the most common natural stones. Sandstone or lime will help to give the retaining wall of an ancient look. They can quickly absorb moisture, the treated areas appear moss. Because of this structure has a shade of an old building. A similar solution looks very romantic. The foundation is laid in such a way that its width was greater than 30 cm. Without following these rules can result in an unstable wall that may soon collapse.

Retaining wall with their hands

Retaining stone wall, the height of which is 1 meter, the presence of longitudinal drainage.

1) It is necessary to make a layout area.

Pre-selected suitable location for the support (with a slope near the terrace, which is higher than ground level). Along the edges of the selected area are driven stakes and pull cords.

2) Prepare the trench.

With a garden knife cut through the soil at a markup. A shovel removed using a thin layer of soil. After that follow the most digging a trench, whose depth is 40 cm.

3) Laying the foundations.

The bottom of the trench carefully leveled and compacted. Then a layer of concrete poured to a depth of not less than 30 cm. The concrete mix for the foundation consists of one part of concrete, 6 parts of sand and gravel. That should be the proportion of.

If the soil is loose, then before pouring the concrete mix should make a wooden fence. Allow the concrete to dry before the end of the pillow that will take about three days.

4) Creation of lime layer.

When the foundation is completely dry, before to lay a stone, it is necessary to smear it with a mixture of lime layers of 2-3 cm. The composition includes a mixture of sand, water, cement and lime. For one part of quicklime should be 3-4 parts of sand. For every kilogram of such mixture requires 300 ml of water. To reject clumps, water is added gradually. Then you can add the cement. We obtain the ratio: 1 part to 7 parts of cement mixture.

5) Puts stone.

Stones carefully cleaned of dirt and moistened with water. Do not place a stone on one another. Otherwise, the building will collapse because of the slightest external influence. The junction of two stones in the heart of stone, located in the previous row. Always on the edge is put a large stone with the correct forms. For the middle of suitable stone less. You must try for all the stones to find a stable position.

For the next series of walls using the same principle with the use of mortar. The mixture should be a minimum thickness of 1-1.5 cm, and the stitches are too large waiting rapid destruction. For the stability and strength of the structure is the line that the back is done with a certain bias towards withholding the soil (about 5-10 degrees).

Polyline curved retaining wall configuration is more robust and reliable, since these walls are characterized by a reduced line length spans. They do not have a huge load, but due to the rough surface of the back wall is more intimate contact with the soil.

6) Use of drainage and drainage.

Each set number of support between the soil and the wall require backfilling gravel layer with gravel or small stones and gravel. After that, all neatly compacted. When Lay the second row of the support, you will need to drain pipe.

When the retaining wall is installed, traces of water are removed mortar, sponge and brush.

Retaining wall in Landscape

Immediately it should be said that each site has its own individual shape, size, terrain features. Because in the process of construction of retaining walls apply their specific approaches taking into account the personal preferences of the owner, his tastes, the style of the house, garden area and all that pertains to it. For example, if the landscape with a pronounced relief, then you should use a vertical layout. This is such a move would be really appropriate. For this land is divided into horizontal layers which are fixed dams.

For a small land area is being built a wall height reaches 60 cm. The bushes grow along fine these structures. While the wall is too high creates a bad impression of severity. If the area still advance planning similar construction, they "diluted" by the various architectural elements of interest (e.g., a bench, niches and other steps like).

The material selected for the construction of retaining walls must be explained specific design solutions. That would be logical. After all, for "elevation" monumental support applied embossed, textured material. Also in this case, welcomed the installation of large granite stones laid close seam. And yet here it is appropriate to use powerful beams. To create a more refined, to some extent invisible, but on the other relief elegant wall cladding is done using small stones and plaster.

Today it is possible to realize any project. It is important not to disturb the construction technology.

Video How to make a retaining wall