Retaining walls and patio

[two_bit_score]

I had to rebuild my wall as it was beginning to lean after many years, even with geogrid. Teardown was a pain, but just as you found, once you start building up it is rewarding, tiring, but rewarding. I did enlist the help of the oldest grandson (15). I was able to use my BX24 for most of the block and material moving. There was some travel time on the material movement and the timing worked out well. The grandson was a great help, but he had a lot more enthusiasm for the tractor work vs the shovel work.

Doug in SW IA

Smart boy!

 

[Muhammad]

Wall is looking good! I used the exact same type of block for ~20' long retaining walls on the east and west sides of my earth-bermed house. Mine are holding strong after 5 years now. I didn't have to go quite as high as you, though.

My only real concern is that you decided to keep the faces flush/straight, instead of using the rear pin locations for some set-back on each course. Mostly an aesthetic consideration, sure, but staggering them back as you go up should increase strength, better resist toppling over, and at least hide the visual impact if it does start to push out a little bit over time.

These are valid points. Strength could have been improved by pulling the wall 3.5 feet forward and building up the backfill with grid and then further by offsetting the blocks.

Having said that the one big factor coming into play is the collection of huge ficus trees and their roots that are already retaining the hillside. That could also become a liability down the road if those roots overtake the wall.

 

[Muhammad]

Finally made a straight line!

 

[MoKelly]

Finally made a straight line!View attachment 682543View attachment 682544

Really straight! Not as easy as it looks. Good job.

MoKelly

 

[Deere Dude]

Nice looking project.
I am wondering how the top will be finished. Gravel on the inside of the wall all the way to the top and covered with fabric? Then topsoil over the surface of the fabric? Or something different?
I get a backache just looking at it. Keep it up.

 

[Muhammad]

Nice looking project.
I am wondering how the top will be finished. Gravel on the inside of the wall all the way to the top and covered with fabric? Then topsoil over the surface of the fabric? Or something different?
I get a backache just looking at it. Keep it up.

Yes that's the plan. We're going five courses up so at the fifth we'll cover the gravel with barrier fabric and then 8 inches of dirt and an 8 inch cap on the wall.

 

[farmeratheart]

I really wish this site had a Like function. You guys are rock in’ it (no pun intended ).

Frank

 

[Muhammad]

I really wish this site had a Like function. You guys are rock in’ it (no pun intended ).

Frank

Our new software will have a like button type thing. Which will come after the wall and patio is done.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Job is looking great! My back got sore just watching your progress! Whenever you need more exercise, I have plenty of dirt, stone, and block work ready for you!

 

[Muhammad]

Job is looking great! My back got sore just watching your progress! Whenever you need more exercise, I have plenty of dirt, stone, and block work ready for you!

I keep thinking I'm 22 and can lug 70lb blocks all day but today was a reality check when the truck arrived with eight more pallets and we realized that we need more crushed rock.