concrete blocks

[point]

I am looking to make concrete blocks to build a retaining wall.
does anyone have plans for forms or ideas on the best way for me to go about making them?
I am in the process of purchasing a tractor wit FEL that will lift about 1500lbs so the size of each block is a concern.
Thanks
Point

 

[mahlers]

How big of a retaining wall will you be building? It's *much* easier to just buy the pre-cast blocks - why are you making them yourself? Some of the interlocking blocks that they have out these days are really nice looking, very easy to put together, and strong as heck...

 

[point]

I am making a wall that is about 100' long and going to be about 6-10 feet high
It is a long term summer project and i am trying to save money
Point

 

[point]

those blocks cost 50-60 dollars each
they deliver 5 at a time and it cost 75 bucks each delivery
and I need 40 -50 blocks
so the # is clse to if not more than 3K
I should beable to make them onsite cheaper than that, NO?

 

[BigAl]

The local Concrete Ready Mix Plant here in town started making "BIG' concrete retaining blocks from their left over concrete each day . They are about 4 feet long ,18" high and about 2 feet wide . They made a key way on the bottom of the steel form they use so the blocks could inter lock with each other . They have two forms . One with a raised keyway and one with a recessed keyway .That way the blocks will mate .
They just take a bent piece of rebar and make a loop and imbed it in the top ,so they have a way to pick up the cured block with a loader when it is finished . They have stacked them about 12-14 feet high around the plant and they look pretty good . They just sit on the ground . No Footing .
I know most of all tractors here on TBN could not lift something that big , but maybe they could be scaled down abit in size so you could .
Big Al

 

[rambler]

Oh, I was wondering why you wanted to fool around pouring regular old concrete blocks. Left a few details out on that first message! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Are you set on precast large blocks for your application, or are you open to other ideas? If open, does it need to be a vertical wall, or can it have slight setbacks as it goes up? Will looks be very important, or less important?

If cost is a factor, I hope you look into other designs, especially with slight setbacks. It gets much cheaper than the way you are going. 10' is pretty tall, lots of force on that wall, think it through - rebar & a really good root setting.

I realize you asked a question, and a lot of people like me are going to try to move you in a different direction entirely. Please bear with us - don't mean to change your direction, and you probably have some good, unspoken reasons for needing the blocks you are asking about for your application.

A 10' high wall that holds dirt is going to cost some money tho, if you want it to stand more than a year or two.

--->Paul

 

[mahlers]

You might want to check out the Verdura blocks that you can see at the following site:
Soil Retention Blocks

I've used them before, and they're great (and easy to work with). The expense isn't too bad when you consider the benefits. If your wall is going to be visible to anyone, something like these blocks would be really nice because you can plant in them and make the wall look real purdy.

They only weigh around 70 lbs each, and a couple of people can put up a nice wall very quick. I can't remember the cost of the blocks exactly, but I think they were around $5 each in large quantities (200+).

 

[Egon]

As Rambler has mentioned 10 feet is pretty high.

Will you have drainage provisions?

support walls at 90 degree angle every so often. [ there is a proper name but I have forgotten]

Can you pour in place using your own forms? perhaps of the slip form type just large enough to do hold what you can do at one time?

When commercially making some of the blocks a very dry no slump concrete is used and pressure formed in a press after which it goes to a curing area that will have proper humidity.

Egon

 

[point]

I appologize for my lack of info
I pan on expanding a lower terriace of my yard that drops suddenly off to a stream
I have some serious errosion on the stream side and dont want to dump in a ton of $ for topsoil and grass to have it wash away
I plan on putting in a curtan drain around the other side of the property to help dry that terrace out
I also plan on running courigated pipe and stone behind the wall to help keep it dry
Although I would like the wall to be at a 90 degree angle I figure it should be staggered due to the hight
Thanks Point

 

[SPIKER]

POINT:

some main problems I see here are as follows:

ANY work along a WATERWAY can get you in serious trouble with the EPA SOIL WATER people. this is EVERYWHERE as it si federal. You need to have silt control and I think someone has a post about that in here someplace.

on now if you are building a retaining wall you have to have "Dead Man" supports running back into the hill side every so far appart, (Not sure of distance it is lenght & height dependant I think) ALSO there is a PLASTIC material similar to a SNOW fence that is used to hold walls in place, which if you go over 6 feet I belive is required normally or else the wall will push out and fall apart. it is teid into the wall and burried i belive at least 10' back from the wall but is height dependant too.

also you need to have some sort of barrier fabrick behind the wall and back fill with gravel and provide drainage for any water that gets behind the wall. if ther stream is there water can concievably get into this and put watter behind the wall a no-no for sure. anyhow if you ARE having problems with the dirt washing away contact a local soil conservational dept and they may be able to provide funds to help do it right.
this may be more of a state thing we have here but could be elsewhere too...

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif