With their ability to contour to the landscape and be used in both cut and fill situations, concrete retaining walls are a popular choice for commercial and industrial building projects. The ease and speed of construction together with the relatively low installation cost have industrial and commercial sites making use of concrete retaining walls for more than structural purposes. The range of concrete retaining blocks available through MVA Bricks makes them ideal for construction on embankments and cut slopes.
Factors to Consider Before Construction
Before installing a concrete retaining wall, MVA Bricks recommends that you first consider the following factors:
- Open-faced or closed-faced configuration
This determines the number of concrete retaining blocks that will be needed per square metre as an open-faced configuration uses fewer blocks. The number of blocks used has an impact on the load-bearing capacity of the wall. Increasing the number of blocks, specifically around convex curves of higher walls increases the load-bearing capacity and strength of the wall.
Stormwater management and surface water run-off to avoid downstream flooding is a concern with commercial and industrial builds at elevated heights. Installing our MVA-7 CRBs in a closed-faced configuration or by using the slider-panel systems is ideal for building attenuation ponds, specifically at industrial and commercial sites.
- The height of the wall
Concrete retaining walls that are higher than 1.1 metres should ideally be designed by an engineer, especially when taking the curves and angles of the wall into account. Bases are frequently stepped and curved in both cut and fill situations and setting out the wall foundations is critical as often the base and top of the walls are constrained by boundaries, affecting the angle. For walls up to 20 metres high, we suggest using our MVA-Lock Blocks where high loads and pressures will be applied.
- The choice of product
When selecting one of our retaining wall products, you will be assured of the best value. Keep in mind that a similar product at a greatly reduced price may speak to the likelihood of its inferiority. Concrete retaining walls must be constructed using only choice quality materials as they must be built for longevity and durability. Our range of CRBs includes the MVA-7, MVA-13, Rockface MVA-7 and the MVA-Lock Block. When constructing retaining walls, avoid compromising on engineering integrity, build quality and the safety of the walls.
- The angle of construction
The angle at which concrete retaining walls are built depends on the inclination of the slope or embankment. Ultimately, the intention is to have walls leaning into the soil as they will be less likely to be pushed out by soil pressure or bulging. The batter angle or slope of the wall is achieved by laying the blocks with a setback. In fill situations, after each layer has been placed, ensure that the backfill is sufficient. Backfilling steps vary according to the type of blocks used as well as the geosynthetic reinforcement.
The success of retaining wall projects depends on extensive planning, scheduling and, above all else, using quality materials and the correct installation procedure.
Bespoke Concrete Retaining Walls
As vital as concrete retaining walls are to the structural integrity of inclined construction, using them outside the entrances at commercial and industrial sites adds to the aesthetic appeal. Using our concrete retaining blocks not only assists with soil erosion but, by placing them in an open-faced configuration, they can facilitate plant and vegetation growth.
Leading Producers of Concrete Retaining Wall Blocks
Due to an increased demand for our products, including concrete retaining wall blocks, we have expanded and upgraded our production facilities ensuring that our customers receive superb quality SABS-certified products that are engineered according to best practice standards. At MVA Bricks, we have successfully supplied our retaining wall blocks for several projects including the Courier Guys Phase 2 distribution centre development in Kya Sands where 24 000 MVA-7 blocks were supplied. Contact us to assist you with your specific retaining wall requirements.
