CRB structures assist in reducing the environmental impact of a construction project, including preventing soil erosion, a threat to environmental sustainability. These structures enable contractors to build on top of contoured terrain with relative ease and at a lower cost. An important aspect of sustainable construction is to assess the suitability of the structure in relation to the existing environment and vegetation. MVA Bricks understands the importance of sustainable construction practices as a manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of concrete retaining wall blocks for varied retention walling.
Construction at Elevated Heights Made Possible with CRB Structures
What concrete retaining wall blocks do for construction is create usable land, allowing contractors to build commercial and industrial buildings at elevated heights. Contractors follow particular design principles during the construction process to ensure the structural stability encompassing the building site. They consider the load that the wall is meant to withstand, the movement of the ground and prevention of possible flooding in low-lying areas. When installing CRB structures, it is important to determine the incline of the embankment or slope, the intended height of the structure as well as drainage.
Evaluation Before Construction
The design and engineering aspects play a vital role in the success of CRB structures. Designed to contour the natural curves of the landscape, they can be used in both cut and fill situations. Various elements require evaluation before construction can start:
- Geosynthetic reinforcement – The engineer could specify the use of geosynthetic reinforcement to incorporate the backfill soil into the retaining wall thereby increasing the total mass and stability of the wall.
- Groundwater conditions – Drainage is required to drain excess groundwater from behind the mass of the wall which increases stability.
- Structural and traffic loading conditions – Increasing the number of CRBs per square metre increases the load-bearing capacity and strength of the wall.
- Construction tolerances – Before the installation of CRB structures, it is important to establish construction and dimensional tolerances so that there is an acceptable standard of work between parties. This includes horizontal, vertical and rotational control as well as possible bulging.
As soil is constantly moving and therefore highly variable, there must be a certain amount of give in the design of CRB structures. The tolerances have a direct bearing on the structural stability and sustainability of the concrete retaining wall. MVA Bricks supplies retaining wall blocks to specialist contractors. We ensure that our CRBs can handle varying load and slope conditions without compromising the landscape.
Angles and Height of CRB Structures
As the base and top of the CRB structures are constrained by boundaries, the foundations must be set out correctly. Bases are often stepped out and curved which has a direct bearing on the angle at which the CRBs are placed. The height of CRB structures is dependent on the incline of the slope, the steeper the slope, the lower the wall. Taking shear resistance and height into account, the concrete retaining wall blocks are strategically positioned to prevent movement from occurring between them. The critical design and engineering aspects of CRB structures ensure that the walls meet their durability and longevity requirements.
The interlocking action of MVA Bricks’ MVA-7, MVA-13, Rockface MVA-7 and MVA-Lock Block makes our CRBs suitable for retention wall angles of up to 90 degrees. Our Waterway products can be installed for drainage purposes adding to the sustainability of the construction.
Leading Manufacturer of Concrete Retaining Wall Blocks
For almost 30 years, MVA Bricks has manufactured and supplied products to a broad market sector in Gauteng and neighbouring provinces including several industrial and commercial sites. Our MVA-7 CRBs have been successfully applied in numerous construction projects in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, amongst them the Cummins Southern Africa Regional Distribution Centre and Filtration Plant where 26 000 MVA-7 CRBs were used in a fill-faced configuration for an elevated building platform. We pride ourselves on exceptional quality and standards as all our products are SABS-certified. Contact us and we will assist you in selecting the right concrete retaining wall blocks for your project.
