Browse Forums General Discussion Re: Retaining wall not built to specifications, PC help 2Feb 18, 2024 11:25 am Architectural Homes & Duplexes - specialising in custom designing homes to your budget Get a Free Onsite Consultation Today or send a PM for information, questions or advice. Re: Retaining wall not built to specifications, PC help 3Feb 18, 2024 5:44 pm Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Retaining wall not built to specifications, PC help 4Feb 18, 2024 11:16 pm building-expert What state are you in? Retaining wall is a structural element, designed by a structural engineer and should have been built in accordance with the approved plans, no excuse. Retaining walls can fail suddenly and can potentially be a risk to life and injury. I would be concerned about lack of drainage and the Geofabric on the wrong side could lead to water retention and soil liquefaction. Hydrostatic pressure of wet soil is two and a half times that of water hence it may push the wall over. About ten years ago I inspected poorly built retaining wall about 3 m high, I reported it as risk to life, not long after it collapsed without a warning about three minutes after a car pulled out of the way. Regardless of what the builder and the engineer say, you are entitled to have your wall built in accordance with approved drawings, nothing less. I would rise the matter with the relevant building surveyor, and yes a retaining wall not built in accordance with approved drawings is a major structural defect. Were the wall to collapse, and there is injury or death do you thing that the builder and the engineer will put up their hand and say, yes it is my fault? They will do their best to make it your fault. Thanks for your reply! All valid points and I agree with you on many of them. I am in QLD, any recommendations on a construction lawyer would be helpful Thank you again Simeon.. I will call my certifier for that. Have a good day 4 25790 looks ok to me, round logs retaining walls are better than sleeper walls, more even preservative treatment and stronger since they include the whole tree and not just part… 1 10421 Yeah my reasoning is just that those house posts are designed for vertical load not lateral. I just didnt want to risk interfering with the existing house… 4 21107 |