Retaining walls were originally used to control flooding, but their role in building construction has changed over time. As flood damage becomes more prevalent in residential areas, retaining walls has become an increasing role as an effective tool for flood prevention. Retaining walls were traditionally built with materials such as stone and clay. Nowadays they are made of concrete and many builders incorporate other decorative materials to enhance their appearance and functionality. There are many types of retaining walls and one of the most common uses is as a barrier against erosion.
Retaining walls were originally constructed to retain soils on the rear side of a building to prevent water from eroding the front of the building. A retaining wall in OutscapeConstructions is usually composed of individual blocks or parts of blocks, sometimes compounded. An exterior retaining wall can be constructed of concrete, blocks or stones depending on the local conditions. Concrete is more commonly used because it is weather resistant. When concrete is used in an outdoor setting, it is reinforced with rebar, steel or cement. When concrete is used internally, it is reinforced with stainless steel.
Retaining walls in OutscapeConstructions consist of individual or grouped rows of bricks or stones, typically with a framework or web anchored through tie rods to a foundation. Rebar is a series of horizontal metal bars capable of resisting lateral pressure while retaining walls can also include elements consisting of a plate or frame made of rebar supported by corrugated piping. The basic concept of retaining walls is to provide lateral support for the soil load, usually downward for soil retaining walls and lateral building construction.
The most commonly used material for the construction of retaining walls is solid earth. There are two types of stable earths: stacked and segmental. Segmental retained walls are constructed by fitting long straight segments of densely packed soil together at the bottom and topped with a layer of soil bags. The uppermost layer of soil bags is a mixture of topsoil, which are the minimum required by local ordinances, and gravel, which serves as a base for the final layer of soil bags.
The bottom of the segmental retaining wall is packed with coarse gravel, such as gravel typical of sandy soils. This layer provides a firm, level base for the retaining wall. The grading of the soil further allows for steeper wall sections that have been built up from smaller particles of compacted earth. Grouted earth pressure is an additional factor to consider when constructing retaining walls. Earth pressure refers to the variation in soil pressure as a result of weathering and movement through soil.
One of the easiest ways to build retaining walls is to use stucco. Stucco, also known as glazing, consists of a waterproof layer between two larger layers of masonry. The stucco acts as a vapor barrier to reduce heat transfer through its solid surface. In addition to being a water-resistant material, stucco in Retaining Walls Adelaide has a fine texture and natural beauty. Other forms of reinforcement can include wood, steel or iron. For additional information on materials and construction techniques, consult a local contractor or browse through a stock of re-used material found at various websites online.