Landscaping is not just about planting flowers and trees and making everything look pretty (whether through a natural or a “highly gardened” effect). Often, landscaping is about recapturing or creating liveable space where the terrain currently prevents it. One of the most commonly attempted landscaping projects is to carve out a flat area from a slope. For this, you need to use a retaining wall.
Over the centuries, engineers have studied this problem at length. As a result, there are many different types of retaining wall, all of which accomplish similar results. The differentiation between them is largely a function of the type and consistency of the soil that is being retained, the angle and volume of the slope, and the space available. As mentioned, the overall appearance of the wall may also play a factor in a builder’s decision.
The simplest form of retaining wall is the gravity wall. It uses the mass of the wall itself to hold back the earth. As a result, gravity walls are normally built from heavy, bulky materials, such as large stones or concrete blocks. This type of wall is suitable for lower walls, although higher walls are achievable if very dense concrete slabs are used. Some angling of the component stones or slabs may lend additional strength.
You can achieve a similar effect using fewer materials if you use a bit of engineering to strengthen the wall; a cantilevered wall has a special foot that juts out under the ground perpendicularly (either back into the soil, or in both directions). This greatly increases the strength of the wall, allowing for slimmer, less bulky slabs to be used.
A sheet piling wall uses thinner materials (often steel or even wood) and is normally employed when there is not enough room for a gravity wall or cantilevered wall made of concrete. A sheet piling wall gets its strength from extending the wall materials deep into the ground (perhaps as much as two-thirds). Supplemental anchor wires in the slope may also be used.
Erosion is a common concern for landscaping, and retaining walls can be an important tool in preventing it. This means that drainage and groundwater conditions must be carefully planned for. The walls themselves must be “water tight” or carefully built in order to prevent soil from seeping through (and ruining the flat area on the other side). This may be an important safety issue, as well – particularly in cold locales where ice formation may pose a hazard.
Use Armtec Retaining Walls to achieve your landscaping aims. They come in many shades, textures, and styles – designers are guaranteed to find the look they want in a quality product. Note that professional installation is normally required.
Joan Jaynes is a freelance online blogger who concentrates on the construction industry and related technologies. She has a special interest in the large-scale projects, such as Armtec Retaining Walls, as well as other precast concrete products.