Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Versa-Lok Wall
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mazpower_hd
03-29-05, 06:14 AM
I am considering building a 4'x40' retaining wall with Versa-Lok interlocking blocks. Has anyone had any experience, good or bad, with this product? From what I've read, these are the best dry block product for retaining walls that are going to have any sort of load on them. This will be to retain a one car wide driveway in front of a garage.
Also, has anyone compared them to the cost of installing flat fieldstone?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am nearing the end of my addition and am beginning to run low on money. I will be installing it myself with some help from a friend and would like to get the best value for my buck.
Thanks.
Also, has anyone compared them to the cost of installing flat fieldstone?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am nearing the end of my addition and am beginning to run low on money. I will be installing it myself with some help from a friend and would like to get the best value for my buck.
Thanks.
Concretemasonry
03-29-05, 10:25 PM
The Versa-Lok system is one of the top four selling segmental retaining wall system in the world. It is a very good product. Your application is quite common.
Normally, for a 4 foot high wall you should not need to get a structural permit, but some municipalities require permits for anything built.
Normally a low wall like this is described as a gravity wall where the weight of the wall resists the side load from the soil. The slight "batter" (slope of the wall face back into the soil) helps give additional strength. The load on the wall depends on the distance the car is back from the edge of the wall. Try to keep this distance as great as you have room for.
A Versa-Lok wall would have greater shear strength than a bluestone wall because of the positive interlocking features designed into it. It also guarantees the proper batter. The strength of the bluestone wall can be reduced by different installation techniques. Take a look at the Versa-Lok web site. Sites for other systems also may give you some ideas on possible applications and techniques. The installation for all systems follows the same principals.
I have seen engineered segmental retaing walls built 45 feet high. Remember - Never use poured concrete footings or mortar for segmental retaining walls. Use a granular soil (sand) behind the wall and compact it. A perforated drain pipe will reduce the pressure behind a wall greatly and is a cheap investment.
Dick
Normally, for a 4 foot high wall you should not need to get a structural permit, but some municipalities require permits for anything built.
Normally a low wall like this is described as a gravity wall where the weight of the wall resists the side load from the soil. The slight "batter" (slope of the wall face back into the soil) helps give additional strength. The load on the wall depends on the distance the car is back from the edge of the wall. Try to keep this distance as great as you have room for.
A Versa-Lok wall would have greater shear strength than a bluestone wall because of the positive interlocking features designed into it. It also guarantees the proper batter. The strength of the bluestone wall can be reduced by different installation techniques. Take a look at the Versa-Lok web site. Sites for other systems also may give you some ideas on possible applications and techniques. The installation for all systems follows the same principals.
I have seen engineered segmental retaing walls built 45 feet high. Remember - Never use poured concrete footings or mortar for segmental retaining walls. Use a granular soil (sand) behind the wall and compact it. A perforated drain pipe will reduce the pressure behind a wall greatly and is a cheap investment.
Dick