Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Dec 05, 2014 7:38 pm Hi All, Will be starting to build our steel/timber sleeper retaining wall in about a week. The wall has been designed by a structural engineer to be about 1.4m and be 16m long. My question is how do i make sure the steel H beams are lined up at the right height? I have a string line with a bubble level attached to that but i want to make sure its absolutely at the right height or else the timber sleepers will gradually be off and it will look like an amateur job, i don't trust the string line bubble over 16m Any tips or tools i could use to make sure the wall is mm precise? Thanks Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. George Carlin Re: Getting retaining wall height straight/level 2Dec 05, 2014 8:34 pm You pretty much have everything you need, you will also need a level to plumb your posts. Measure out and dig your post holes, I always work on 2350 to the centre of each post, that way if your hole is a little out you have 50mm to play with so your sleepers wont be short. Set up your end posts, do the one where the wall will be the highest first, now using your sting line and line level to get the height of the other end. even if its not perfectly level a couple of degrees wont matter. Now go through and set up you remaining posts so they all touch the string line at the top. Make sure they are plumb side to side, don't be concerned if you cant get them perfectly plumb in and out if the hole doesnt allow. As long as the tops all line up and are straight your finished wall will look like its been done by a pro. Re: Getting retaining wall height straight/level 3Dec 05, 2014 9:08 pm Using a laser level is possible these days as they aren't that expensive. A couple of hints are: 1 lean the wall back a little bit. 2. Make sure the timber finishes up above the tops of the steel columns rather than the other way around This is explained and some more advice is at http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2013/06/ret ... l-details/ The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Getting retaining wall height straight/level 4Dec 06, 2014 7:53 am If you don't have or can't find a laser or dumpy level for a reasonable price the old water level is the next best thing. A length of 10mm clear poly tubing with water in it will give you very good results. Stewie Re: Getting retaining wall height straight/level 5Dec 06, 2014 12:44 pm +1 to what Mgilla said. Just make sure the string line is stretched tight and periodically recheck your level and you will be fine.
Thank you again Simeon.. I will call my certifier for that. Have a good day 4 5179 ok thanks - yes was wondering if that should have been listed as Option Three! 2 7742 Thanks for the insights, that makes perfect sense, and yeah, I will be leaning on the experience of the excavator operator entirely. 6 16142 |