The presence of summer cottages is now not uncommon. Someone was lucky, and they got a flat area that does not require additional work. But it often happens that the site is covered with many slopes of different heights. To ennoble it, a system of terraces is used. And so that the soil does not collapse, they are fixed with retaining walls. Next, we will consider in more detail the functions, types and construction of such supports.
What are retaining structures and their functions
Retaining wall - a structure that is used to prevent soil from spreading in areas with a natural slope. The main function of the structure is to strengthen the soil, in addition, it also performs a decorative function.
The variety of materials from which retaining walls are built allows you to turn this element into a highlight of a summer cottage, while not losing the main purpose of the structure. In addition, the walls perform the function of zoning the territory, allowing you to separate the various design elements.
Types of walls
Before you start building retaining walls with your own hands,it is worth understanding what types there are. These structures are classified according to several criteria.
| Criteria | Views | Explanations |
| height | low | up to 1 m high |
| medium | 1m to 2m high | |
| high | height from 2 m | |
| by depth | deep laying | when the depth is greater or the width of the structure is not less than 1.5 times |
| shallow-laid | when the depth is either equal to the width of the wall or less (building is acceptable as decoration or on stable ground) | |
| by massiveness and volume | massive | walls made of high density materials - brick, concrete, rubble; stability is achieved due to the large weight |
| semi-massive | most often the construction of the walls is made of reinforced concrete; the structure is stable due to the weight and pressure of the soil on the foundation | |
| thin-element | have thin walls made of reinforced concrete and a wide foundation; the weight of the structure is almost irrelevant | |
| thin | usually made of metal, deeply recessed, which is how stability is achieved | |
| by location on site | freestanding | an independent structure, not tied into a system with other elements of architecture |
| linked (integrated) | walls that are part of a single system with various elements: stairs, built-in benches, niches and so on | |
| by construction method | monolithic | for their erection, it is necessary to install the formwork of the right size, into which reinforced concrete will be cast |
| precast-monolithic | separate reinforced concrete blocks are used for construction | |
| national teams | those that are made up of piece parts such as bricks, timber, gabions and others | |
| reinforced soil | the stability of the support is achieved due to the pressure of the soil itself, which is reinforced with a geogrid or geotextile | |
| by appointment | strengthening | the main task is to keep the soil from collapsing; also widely used in landscape design to increase usable area |
| decorative | perform a purely decorative function and do not need a foundation |
In addition, walls can be classified according to the material from which they will be built. They come from:
- stone;
- brick;
- wood;
- metal;
- gabions;
- geotextile;
- geogrids;
- concrete blocks;
- building blocks;
- reinforced in-situ concrete;
- tires.
Below, we will consider the most popular types in more detail and give brief characteristics of other materials.
Boulder walls
Stone retaining walls look very natural andharmoniously. But it is also the most time-consuming method, which most often requires the involvement of professionals. Therefore, another drawback is the high cost of construction.
Stone retaining walls can be laid in two ways: dry masonry and cement mortar. Both technologies require a solid foundation, and the width of the support itself must be at least 30 cm.
Dry laying of the wall is performed without the use of cement. The stones are laid out one on one in a checkerboard pattern. The space that is formed during the masonry process is usually covered with stones of small fractions. If these gaps are filled with soil, and then plants are planted there, this will give the stone retaining wall a more natural and beautiful look. The main disadvantage of dry laying can be called relatively low strength.
Boulder laying with cement is more expensive. It is recommended in advance to lay out the boulders dry, choosing the combinations in shape and color as much as possible, and then using the solution. It is important not to forget about the drainage system. After completion of all work, the surface of the stones must be washed with soapy water.
Brick walls in sloping areas
Brick retaining walls may look trite, but they are often used for a variety of landscape styles. Such a wall looks harmonious if the house is also made of brick. For construction, it is better to use frost-resistant brick, but you can also use the most common one.
The technology of laying bricks for a retaining wall on a site with a slope is no different from masonry when building a house. The only caveat is the width of the wall. It should be smaller: for a wall up to 1 m thick, a brick floor will be enough. Accordingly, if the wall is higher than a meter, then the thickness is one brick. The foundation for a brick support needs to be strong, at least 30 cm deep, and 20-30 cm wide more than the width of the wall.
You also need to remember about the drainage system. To do this, you can leave vertical seams in the second and third rows, not filled with cement in increments of 1.5 m. At the end of all work, the brick wall can either be plastered or left in its natural form.
Concrete block and concrete walls
Retaining walls can be either in-situ concrete or concrete blocks. Walls made of solid concrete are considered the most durable, and those made of concrete blocks are more aesthetic.
The do-it-yourself technology of laying a retaining wall is as follows: dig a trench about 40 cm deep, mount the formwork from the boards. Then fill the trench with gravel, lay reinforcement and pour concrete. After 5 days, the formwork can be removed, and all irregularities can be corrected with cement. When the work is completed, the support can be decorated to look like wood or brick. An important point is the drainage system. We must not forget to lay special drains along the foundation to prevent stagnant water.
Easier way - a wall of concrete blocks. Laying technology is similar to brick laying. We also remember aboutdrainage arrangement: some vertical joints must not be grouted.
Wood retaining structures
One of the lightest devices in the device is considered a retaining wall made of wood. For beams, softwoods, such as fir or pine, are most often used.
When constructing a retaining wall with your own hands, you need to take into account such a moment. If the height of the wall is no more than 1 m, then the length of the beams must be at least 1.5 m. That is, the third part of the beam will be underground, and the remaining part will be the body of the wall.
Before proceeding with the installation of the base, the wood must be treated with special tools that will increase the life of the wall. The part that will be underground can be additionally treated with hot bitumen or burned at the stake.
The installation of a retaining wall on a site with a slope begins with the preparation of a trench. It should be approximately 10 cm deeper than the buried part of the timber. And in width - more than the diameter of the wood by about 20 cm. A pillow of gravel 5-10 cm thick is laid out at the bottom of the trench and carefully rammed. Further, the bars are strictly vertically installed and fastened together either with nails or wire. In the place where the wall is in contact with the ground, you need to lay a sheet of roofing material (can be replaced with roofing paper), and fill the trench with concrete.
If the wooden wall performs more of a decorative function and has a small height, then the trench can simply be covered with small stones (gravel, crushed stone) and carefullytamp.
Gabion retaining structures
Not so long ago, retaining walls began to be built from gabions. But this species has already gained popularity due to its simplicity.
Gabions are a galvanized metal frame filled with stones. This type has many advantages:
- ease of installation and minimum time;
- possibility of installation at any time of the year;
- mobility (can be easily disassembled and reassembled elsewhere at will);
- extra stability due to its own weight;
- great flexibility to withstand local loads;
- natural drainage system - holes between stones.
For greater stability, each gabion is connected to its neighbors with a wire.
Reinforced soil walls
Reinforced soil walls include structures reinforced with geotextiles or geogrids.
Geogrid is a reinforcing material that looks like a honeycomb. It consists of sheet strips that are fastened together by seams at a certain distance. The geogrids are arranged one on one depending on the height and are fastened together with brackets. The material is attached to the soil with anchors. The cells of the geogrid are filled with soil with good drainage properties. Over time, sections can be sown with plants. An important advantage is the possibility of erecting such walls both with a slope and strictly vertically.
Geotextile isreinforced synthetic material. For his device, you must perform the following actions:
- install special formwork;
- carefully tamp the bottom layer of soil and lay it out with geotextile;
- throw the free edge of the material over the top of the formwork, pour a layer of earth on top, and then tamp it tightly;
- now with the free edge of the geotextile (the one that was previously thrown over the formwork) we cover the compacted soil, again pour a layer of earth;
- the next layer is done with a slope of up to 2% (for greater stability);
- dismantle the formwork, transfer it to the already laid layer, assemble it again;
- repeat the whole process.
To protect the geotextile from the outside, it can be coated with bitumen or lined with wood. Or fill it with earth and plant it with greenery.
Metal and wire mesh walls
Metal and metal meshes are also used for retaining walls.
Metal support is classified as a thin structure. They usually have a low height and are mounted on stable ground. Often such walls are used for modern design solutions. To reinforce a metal wall, you can use a concrete foundation.
As for metal mesh, they are considered an alternative to gabions. For their installation, stainless steel pipes and directly mesh are used. You need to install with a slight slope to the slope, which is strengthened. The space between the grid and the hill is covered with a large stone. It is important that the material has increased strength andwas corrosion resistant.
Building Blocks & Wall Covers
An unusual but interesting material for a retaining wall is tires. They are laid horizontally with a slight slope. To fix the old tires, piles are used, which are installed vertically. They are attached to the tires with the help of special flexible clamps. The tires themselves are interconnected with plastic wire. For additional fixation, large stones are used as a filler. And stability increases due to the soil, it is poured inside the tires. Various ornamental plants can be planted to add color to tires.
Also, a variety of building blocks are used to construct retaining walls. It can be cinder blocks, foam blocks, small concrete blocks, various artificial stone. Such supports are laid in the same way as the walls of boulders. The main advantages are the ease of laying the material, excellent decorative qualities, the ability to withstand heavy loads.
Wall construction
Regardless of the material, the retaining wall device has three main elements:
- Foundation. It is this part that ensures the stability of the wall and takes on the entire load.
- Wall body. This part is above the ground and prevents ground collapse.
- Drainage. This element is necessary to drain water from the retaining wall, which increases the life of the structure.
Despite the apparent simplicity of the structure,not so simple. It is necessary to take into account many factors, carefully approach the choice of material, so that the structure will last for many years.
Calculation of retaining walls
Starting with the construction of retaining structures should be done only after the necessary calculations have been made. The durability of such structures depends on this.
When calculating retaining walls, factors such as:
- weight of the support itself;
- weight of additional elements that will be on it;
- pressure of supported soil that will act on the wall;
- ground grip and friction force;
- wind force if the wall is over two meters;
- various vibrations (proximity to railways, for example);
- floods, downpours and other natural phenomena.
It should be emphasized that retaining structures up to 1.6 meters high can be built independently. In this case, the thickness of the support depends on the density of the soil and the height of the structure. The ratios are as follows:
- on weak (loose) soil: the ratio of wall thickness to its height is 1:2;
- on medium density soil, 1:3 ratio;
- on dense (clay) soil, the ratio of the width of the support to the height is 1:4.
It is worth noting that even the slightest mistake in the calculations can lead to the collapse of the wall. Therefore, it is recommended to turn to professionals for calculations. Or you can use a special program for this. For example, "Retaining wall", PCSheetPileWall, Base, etc.
Conclusion
Retainingthe wall is an important detail not only for solving territorial problems, but also looks great as a decorative element. A variety of materials allows you to mount the structure for any design. In addition, by installing a retaining wall with your own hands, you can save on inviting a specialist.
