Gravity retaining wall Types

Inclined gravity retaining walls

There are two main gravity inclined wall types. Concrete block and Gabion basket. One uses concrete as its mass and the other stone filled baskets. Concrete has more mass than stone and therefore needs less volume on large projects. The choice depends on the driver between cost and a long life span.

Gabion basket can have a guaranteed life span of up top 50 years depending on the specification of the mesh. Concrete block walls can go far beyond this with a high quality design mix.

Interlocking block wall

An interlocking block  wall is very fast to build and, if planned well, can be built directly from the delivery wagon using a Hiab.

Gabion basket gravity retaining walls

Gabion basket walls are a gravity type wall that uses stone filled wire baskets. They are very similar to our concrete block design but can be more economical.

The gabion basket allow water to escape if large stone is used to fill the baskets. If not, back drainage may be required to stop any build up of hydrostatic pressure building up behind the wall that can cause failure.

Gravity masonry retaining walls

A traditional gravity masonry retaining wall uses the mass of the brickwork/masonry to retain the earth behind it.

A masonry wall can be built using a number of materials. The mass or weight of the bricks or blocks will determine the size of the wall required.

Masonry  walls can be built by a local builder. No specialist equipment or techniques are required, just the skills of a bricklayer.

Timber crib gravity retaining wall

Timber crib is also called timber criblock and timbalok.

A Timber crib wall can look quite attractive. Timber crib is more economical than concrete criblock but has a shorter life span.

Concrete criblock gravity retaining wall

Criblock retaining walls are a gravity type retaining wall that uses cells created by timber, pre-cast concrete or plastic framing. The cells are filled with stone therefore they give the mass for structural stability. Criblock is not dependant on tie-back or geo grid systems for wall stability. As a result this greatly reduces earth works.

Criblock walls allow water to escape from the retained material through the open grid pattern of the structure. This stops any build up of hydrostatic pressure building up behind the wall that can cause failure.