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Concrete Foundations and Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are rigid structures, typically engineered to retain a cut in excavated ground. The right retaining wall design depends on the criteria of the site, soil composition, the height of the wall and the structural engineer’s approach to solving the problem at hand.

Concrete retaining walls are capable of being designed to be much stronger than wood and steel and are typically composed of a footing and a stem wall. Wood and steel retaining walls are usually used in areas where the wall is not being designed as a waterproof structure.

Traditionally, the process of building a retaining wall begins with excavating the site to suit the dimensions of the wall. The builder usually excavates an additional 2-foot space behind the retaining wall for placing a waterproofing membrane, drainage pipe and gravel backfill. The additional excavated space can be larger if the heel of the wall requires it. The standard method of building a concrete retaining wall starts with the construction of a grid of reinforcing steel (rebar) according to engineered specifications then a wooden form is built to the desired dimensions. The concrete will then be placed in the form and consolidated with a vibrator. After 24 hours the concrete will be dry enough to remove the forms. It takes 21 days for the concrete to reach its maximum strength.
Formwork for cast in place concrete wall
Formwork and rebar installation for concrete roof garden

An alternative method of concrete placement is spraying high strength concrete through a high pressure hose into place around the rebar and forming it by hand tools – shotcrete application. This operation requires high skill and years of experience. The skilled operators can consolidate the concrete through the nozzle well enough so that the concrete can obtain as much strength as it would by getting consolidated in formwork.

We at SteelCore Builders have expert engineers to handle the construction and repairs of concrete foundations and retaining wall.