Retaining Wall Design Concepts For Walls Lower Than 1.4 Metres  

The retaining wall design concepts below are based on the Bosun Robust Block and the Versoblock.

NOTE: These design concepts are merely just GUIDELINES ONLY. An engineer’s consultation is needed before building Retaining Walls.

For walls higher than 1.2m an engineer design and certificate is required.

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Normal Conditions

Normal conditions can be defined as:

  • The area must have good compactable soil (no sand or clay).
  • If the area does not have good compactable soil, fill material should be imported (G5 or G6 is acceptable).
  • Care needs to be taken when building retaining walls, possible risk of injury or death.
  • No structural or vehicular loading.
  • No severe surface or ground water in the area.

Foundation:

  • Excavate to a depth of ±220mm.
  • Compact the soil 100mm below the intended concrete foundation to 93% MOD ASSHTO.
  • Construct a 400mm x 120mm, 20 Mpa concrete foundation – A concrete foundation will enable easier levelling.
  • The first block should preferably be placed 100mm below the ground level.

Construction:

  • It is recommended that the wall be constructed at a 75° angle.
  • After each block layer the soil should be compacted to 93% MOD ASSHTO. Do not compact layers more than 150mm thick.
  • Use a vibrating roller or jumping jack tamper for compaction. Any mechanical compaction must not be closer than 300mm behind the block. 300mm and closer must be hand compacted in order to prevent blocks from tilting.
  • Install 40/40 composite reinforcing geogrid between every second row of blocks.  The geogrid should be ±800mm from the front edge of the blocks (It is recommended to use RockGrid® by Kaytech).
  • The geogrid should be laid flat without creases.

Bosun Versoblock installations, use a geogrid after every third block.

  • The most important aspect of Retaining Block Walls is the compaction behind the blocks, together with the geogrid. The Blocks act merely as the system’s skin.
  • 1.4m Retaining Wall Design Concept Foundation Detail
  • 1.4m Retaining Wall Design Concept under Normal Conditions

Click to enlarge

Areas with moderate surface or sub-surface water

Normal condition definition must be considered.

Foundation:

  • Excavate to a depth of ±220mm.
  • Compact the soil 100mm below the intended concrete foundation to 93% MOD ASSHTO.
  • Construct a 400mm x 120mm, 20 Mpa concrete foundation – A concrete foundation will enable easier levelling.
  • The first block should preferably be placed 100mm below the ground level.

Construction:

  • It is recommended that the wall be constructed at a 75° angle.
  • After each block layer the soil should be compacted to 93% MOD ASSHTO. Do not compact layers more than 150mm thick.
  • Use a vibrating roller or jumping jack tamper for compaction. Any mechanical compaction must not be closer than 300mm behind the block. 300mm and closer must be hand compacted in order to prevent blocks from tilting.
  • Install 40/40 composite reinforcing geogrid between every second row of blocks.  The geogrid should be±1100mm from the front edge of the blocks. (It is recommended to use RockGrid® by Kaytech).
  • The geogrid should be laid evenly without creases.

Bosun Versoblock installations, use a geotextile between every third block.

  • The most important aspect of Retaining Block Walls is the compaction behind the blocks. The Blocks act merely as the system’s skin.

Normal conditions can be defined as:

  • The area must have good compactable soil (no sand or clay).
  • If the area does not have good compactable soil, fill material should be imported (G5 or G6 is acceptable).
  • Care needs to be taken when building retaining walls, possible risk of injury or death.
  • No structural or vehicular loading.
  • No severe surface or ground water in the area.

Subsoil drain:

  • The subsoil drain should preferably be installed ±600mm behind the blocks in order for water to flow into the drain opposed to the compacted area.
  • Use a 75mm perforated pipe, enclosed in 19mm or 6mm stone and wrapped in 150mm x 150mm A2 nonwoven filament geogrid (Bosun recommends A2 Bidim® by Kaytech).
  • Fines will clog the system if a geogrid is not used.
  • Construct outlets every 6 meters dispose of water at the lowest end of the subsoil drain.

V-drain or kerb:

  • The purpose of the V drain is to direct water away from the Retaining Block Wall.
  • The V drain or kerb should be ±1.5m behind the top edge of the wall, in order to divert water from the compacted area.
  • 1.4m Retaining Wall Subsoil Drain Design
  • 1.4m Retaining Wall Design Concept With Subsurface & Run Off Water

Click to enlarge

Areas subject to structural or vehicular loads with sufficient space

Load is at least 1.7m from edge of wall.
Normal conditions definition must be considered.

Foundation:

  • Excavate to a depth of ±220mm.
  • Compact the soil 100mm below the intended concrete foundation to 93% MOD ASSHTO.
  • Construct a 400mm x 120mm, 20 Mpa concrete foundation – A concrete foundation will enable easier levelling.
  • The first block should preferably be placed 100mm below the ground level.

Construction:

  • It is recommended that the wall  be constructed at a 75° angle.
  • After each block layer the soil should be compacted to 93% MOD ASSHTO. Do not compact layers more than 150mm thick.
  • Use a vibrating roller or jumping jack tamper for compaction. Any mechanical compaction must not be closer than 300mm behind the block. 300mm and closer must be hand compacted in order to prevent blocks from tilting.
  • Install 40/40 composite reinforcing geogrid between every second row of blocks.  The geogrid should be±1100mm from the front edge of the blocks. (It is recommended to use RockGrid® by Kaytech).
  • The geogrid should be laid evenly without creases.

Bosun Versoblock installations, use a geotextile between every third block.

  • The most important aspect of Retaining Block Walls is the compaction behind the blocks. The Blocks act merely as the system’s skin.

Subsoil drain:

  • The subsoil drain should preferably be installed ±600mm behind the blocks in order for water to flow into the drain opposed to the compacted area.
  • Use a 75mm perforated pipe, enclosed in 19mm or 6mm stone and wrapped in 150mm x 150mm A2 nonwoven filament geotextile (It is recommended to use RockGrid® by Kaytech).
  • Fines will clog the system if a geogrid is not used.
  • Construct outlets every 6 meters dispose of water at the lowest end of the subsoil drain.

V-drain or kerb:

  • The purpose of the V drain is to direct water away from the Retaining Block Wall.
  • The V drain or kerb should be ±1.5m behind the top edge of the wall, in order to divert water from the compacted area.
  • 1.4m Retaining Wall Design Concept for Structural Load with Space
  • 1.4m Retaining Wall Design Concept for Vehicular Load with Space
  • 1.4m Retaining Wall Design Concept with Load Foundation Detail

Click to enlarge

Areas with structural or vehicular loads with limited space

Loads should not be closer than 1m from the top edge of the retaining wall (consult a civil engineer if the load is closer than 1m).
Normal conditions definition must be considered.

Foundation:

  • Excavate to a depth of ±250mm.
  • Compact the soil 100mm below the intended concrete foundation to 93% MOD ASSHTO.
  • Construct a 400mm x 150mm, 20 Mpa concrete foundation – A concrete foundation will enable easier levelling.
  • The first block should preferably be placed 100mm below the ground level.
  • Ref 193 Mesh or Y10 reinforcing can be added to the foundation depending on the load.

Construction:

  • It is recommended that the wall be constructed at a 75° angle.
  • After each block layer the soil should be compacted to 93% MOD ASSHTO. Do not compact layers more than 150mm thick.
  • Use a vibrating roller or jumping jack tamper for compaction. Any mechanical compaction must not be closer than 300mm behind the block. 300mm and closer must be hand compacted in order to prevent blocks from tilting.
  • Install 40/40 composite reinforcing geogrid between every second row of blocks.  The geogrid should be±1100mm from the front edge of the blocks. (It is recommended to use RockGrid® by Kaytech).
  • The last geogrid layer must be laid under the load foundation ±1500mm from the top edge of the wall.
  • The geogrid should be laid evenly without creases.

Bosun Versoblock installations, use a geogrid between every third block.

  • The most important aspect of Retaining Block Walls is the compaction behind the blocks. The Blocks act merely as the system’s skin.

Subsoil drain:

  • The subsoil drain should preferably be installed ±600mm behind the blocks in order for water to flow into the drain opposed to the compacted area.
  • Use a 75mm perforated pipe, enclosed in 19mm or 6mm stone and wrapped in 150mm x 150mm A2 nonwoven filament geogrid
  • Fines will clog the system if a geogrid is not used.
  • Construct outlets every 6 meters dispose of water at the lowest end of the subsoil drain.

V-drain or kerb:

  • The purpose of the V drain is to direct water away from the Retaining Block Wall.
  • The V drain or kerb should be ±1.5m behind the top edge of the wall, in order to divert water from the compacted area.
  • 1.4m Retaining Wall Design Concept Vehicular Loads With Limited Space
  • 1.4m Retaining Wall Design Concept Structural Loads With Limited Space

Click to enlarge