Retaining wall footing depth

[check]

Our rental college just sits on peers. I was going to do something for a second story, and was worried that the inspector would insist on digging down 4 feet. However, a Soils Engineer came by and said that the soil was so rocky and Sandy that there would be no frost heave.

So definitely check out what kind of soil you have. You may not need to worry about frost heave at all

 

[dougtrr2]

I had some retaining walls installed using the small keystone blocks over 15 years ago. I am in SW Iowa, frost depth 40-50". The first layer of blocks was laid on a bed of self packing small gravel and the top of the first row was roughly at ground level. The largest wall is about 5' tall. The walls were built vertical and I am now having a small issue with slight tipping on one end. Next summer project is to rebuild using the stepback option on the keystones.

Check the websites for retaining wall blocks and see what they require. I doubt they require going below the frostline. Of course local building code will trump that.

Have fun.

Doug in SW IA

 

[goeduck]

I am just seeing this thread now. I did not see much about larger block wall systems (1000 to 2000 lb blocks so I can set them with my FEL) . Anyone have any comments about the different companies/systems out there? I have walls on 2 properties I need to deal with. One is a replacement of a creosote wall system about 10 feet high and currently has 1 terrace to it. The other will be new and cut into a slope to give me room to expand my shop. That one will also be about 10 foot at the highest and tamper down to level.

 

[rhunt]

Those big blocks are expensive, talking about 4'x2'x2'! Just saying, be prepared for sticker shock! Bob

 

[Snobdds]

Those big blocks are expensive, talking about 4'x2'x2'! Just saying, be prepared for sticker shock! Bob

My local concrete supplier makes them with the left over concrete from the trucks. $60 each. I don't know if that's good or bad, but it seems good to me.

The one thing they are is heavy. I put 6 on a trailer and you can tell it's back there.

 

[4570Man]

I’ve bought them for $20. But they’re heavy. 3600 pounds for a 2x2x6. I hauled them 5x at a time on my pintle hook.

 

[goeduck]

One bought them for $20. But they’re heavy. 3600 pounds for a 2x2x6. I hauled them 5x at a time on my pintle hook.

My local concrete supplier makes them with the left over concrete from the trucks. $60 each. I don't know if that's good or bad, but it seems good to me.

The one thing they are is heavy. I put 6 on a trailer and you can tell it's back there.

I have heard of concrete companies doing just that with the tail end of the load. As to size I have also seen some that make a variation in sizes and weight.

 

[4570Man]

I have heard of concrete companies doing just that with the tail end of the load. As to size I have also seen some that make a variation in sizes and weight.

The bigger ones have a yard of concrete in them. They’d be $200 if you were paying for good concrete. All the ones I’ve got are leftovers from a concrete delivery.

 

[Streetcar]

Large concrete retaining wall blocks are not the same as concrete deadmen made from leftover concrete. One is designed with consistent properties, the other varies in size and strength .
10 ft height should be a designed wall not blocks stacked to reach that height

 

[goeduck]

Large concrete retaining wall blocks are not the same as concrete deadmen made from leftover concrete. One is designed with consistent properties, the other varies in size and strength .
10 ft height should be a designed wall not blocks stacked to reach that height

I was presuming a block system designed for walls. I see them all the time over 10 feet.