Part 2: Why Segmental Retaining Walls Make Sense In The Reno, NV Area

As discussed in the previous article, Segmental Retaining Walls (SRWs) are not only cost-effective solutions, but have a substantial positive effect on Reno’s eco system and the cleanliness of the city’s overall water supply.

Getting down to the specifics, here are examples of the differences in building material and structure, at which Segmental Retaining Walls differ from many of the traditional retaining wall systems.

While most retaining walls use solid fills, blocks or stones slabs for the retaining wall, Segmental Retaining Wall Systems are comprised individual concrete block masonry units that are made to stack and interlock with one another, allowing space between blocks that require no mortar to hold them together. SRWs not only suffice for smaller four-to-five foot retaining walls for residential development, they can also be used as highly efficient walls and barriers in access of 30 feet, which is an ideal solution for major highway or commercial development projects. Walls of this size and scope need to be adequately constructed with the proper wedges to ensure weight capacity and long-term erosion prevention.

Sliding Wedges For Commercial And Large Scale SRWs In The Reno, NV Area

In large commercial or highway retaining wall projects, sliding wedges are needed to help support the expanse of backfill behind the wall. While each type of backfill has its own angle of declination, the main premise is that the backfill behind tall SRWs significantly adds to the gravity and weight being pushed down on the top of the wall. This is why wedges must be engineered and implemented so that the backfill will remain stable and secure for the test of time. The higher the wall, the more reinforcement is needed.

Like traditional retaining walls, segmental walls can be battered, which refers to the top of the wall being tilted backwards to better reinforce gravity shifting. Another method is to build a plumb, which optimizes the sliding wedge behind the SRWs. Tilting the wall on a backwards incline, simply reduces the amount  of backfill needed behind the wall, reducing the sliding wedge material by a amount  equal to the degree of the tilt you’ve engineered.