Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jun 13, 2009 6:08 pm i am in need of a retaining wall approx 25m long 1.6m high. Does anyone that has done this know what i should expect to pay for engineering and council fees(roughly). I will be using a block wall as it is on top of rock it would be very difficult to dig down for post footings(any other wall suggestions). I have built a 1m high block retaining wall before( no engineering required) what is the difference in the way a 1m high wall is built to a 1.6m wall?( i know some products of blocks are for no more than 1m high) thanks. Re: engineered block retaining wall 2Jun 13, 2009 6:23 pm if it is a retaining wall the hydrostatic presure difference from 1 mtr to 1.6 mtr is quite high most engineers would be around the $400-$600 if you supply all the soil reports etc a permit is a % of the total project value but allow around $550 (thats for melb) a 1.6 mtr high wall would require a strip footing of app. 600mm deep dependant on how reactivatethe soil is, with 3f11 double steel and y12 deform bars @app. 500mm cntrs vertically thru the hollow blocks and y12 horizontally on every second course with first course being hollow knock out blocks. a wall like this is not as straight forward as it sounds if you want it to last also if it isnt engineered and it falls you are liable for all damages, injurys etc Da Vinci Outdoor Living Architectural landscaping http://www.davincioutdoor.com Re: engineered block retaining wall 4Jun 14, 2009 12:40 am If it is the interlocking concrete block wall (ie. in QLD Hanson/Adbri is very popular) the product you use will usually have it own maximum height listed on the product description. Some have only been designed to be installed to 800-1000mm or so, usually these are the vertical walls with no setback each course. The ones you can get to go over 1m usually step back 30mm or longer each course that goes upward, and you will also need a geogrid fabric to tie the wall into the rammed earth behind plus good drainage. Bear in mind that even if the product you go for is made to go over 1m high, you will still require to get a design, engineering drawings & computations to submit to council. Re: engineered block retaining wall 5Jun 15, 2009 5:57 pm Going to an engineer first might be cheaper. We have huge rocks in our back yard and need a retaining wall. Had an engineer come out and look at it and we are going tobe able to do normal steel post & sleeper retaining wall. Just have to get some steel (sorry can't remember technical name) and screw it into the rock (because it is MASSIVE)! Rather than have to worry about digging footings etc.... Re: engineered block retaining wall 7Jun 16, 2009 10:49 pm 92blue if i get it fully engineered can i build it myself? is there inspections? anyone built a segmental block wall over 1.2m? mines needs to be 1.6 at least. I recommend you call your council to see if there are any requirements. Things to consider is the soil type, if your just retaining fill or is the wall retaining fill and additional loads like a shed, cars etc There should be specification with regard to maximum wall heights and minimum founding requirements. You might be able to find there specs on the suppliers or manufacturors website. You will most likely need some kind of drainage behind the wall to releive any water pressure and I recommend you lay a solid reinforced concrete strip footing. Without knowing the site I dont think there is anymore I could tell you but its best to get it looked at by an engineer and then you could possibly build it yourself. Hope this helps Re: engineered block retaining wall 8Jun 17, 2009 6:28 pm yes you can build it yourself as long as it is to the engineering specs. the footings are inspected prior to pouring, the wall is inspected after construction most council require any wall over 1 mtr high needs a permit and engineering and if it is from memory closer than 500mm to 1 mtr from any given boundary at any height it needs engineering and permitting. If the wall goes over an easement it needs permitting and engineering at any height the permit is obtained through a building surveyor / inspector not the council itself. the plans are draw up by an engineer also check the building commission website re: overall cost and if you are required to be an owner builder and provide a structural guarantee Da Vinci Outdoor Living Architectural landscaping http://www.davincioutdoor.com there is a standard besser block wall pdf somewhere online with footing sizes, also have a look at dincel. 1 1091 Thank you again Simeon.. I will call my certifier for that. Have a good day 4 1330 Engineering timber is certainly a less fuss option, times cheaper to supply and install and better withstands humidity. 1 11516 |