Segmental Retaining Wall Block Vs Mortared Concrete

You ll need to consider the purpose of the wall the look your desire and your budget when deciding what retaining wall material is right for you.

Segmental retaining wall block vs mortared concrete.

Segmental retaining walls are generally installed with a small horizontal setback between units creating a wall batter into the retained soil ω in figure 2. The individual units interlock with each other to avoid overturning and sliding. Incidental water moves easily through a vertical drain that is formed by the layer of wall rock placed behind the block and in the block cores. The walls are structurally stable yet they remain flexible to tolerate minor earth movement without damage.

Segmental retaining walls can be designed as either conventional or as reinforced soil as illustrated in figure 1. Mortared concrete block and cast in place concrete walls involve highly paid skilled labor and take more time to install and they will need stone or brick facings if aesthetics are important. Poured concrete foundation walls are arguably stronger than cinder block foundation walls. In 1986 allan block introduced its first segmental retaining wall block srw.

The structural capacity of the srw system will vary with the srw unit size shape batter etc. Segmental retaining walls srws are designed to be used as a gravity wall either with or without reinforcement and can have heights in excess of 40. The hollow core design combines with mortarless construction to allow water to drain freely from behind the segmental retaining wall. Whether you choose concrete block stone or another material you ll want to understand the basics of retaining wall construction so that you can make sure your wall is designed and built correctly.

Since 1987 versa lok has been creating solid solutions for architects and engineers with the industry s original solid top pinning segmental retaining wall system. This method creates walls that are easy and economical to install. The wall batter compensates for any slight lateral movement of the srw face due to earth pressure and complements the aesthetic attributes of the srw system. Our low absorption high strength solid concrete units provide not only the long lasting durability engineers expect but also the limitless number of design options.

Srws are modular blocks made from concrete that are often dry stacked without mortar. Instead the retaining wall units are simply stacked on a shallow granular leveling pad. Water and weather wear down the mortar over time and can causes leaks. Segmental retaining walls are constructed without mortar or concrete footings.