Reinforced block retaining walls

About reinforced block walls

Reinforced block walls are the most economical solution for interlocking concrete block walls over 3m in height.

The wall construction is very fast when compared with traditional construction. The wall is reinforced using bars that thread through the blocks into the foundation. The foundation and the wall act together as a cantilever giving the structure strength and the ability to restrain the retaining material.

The block finish can be smooth plain concrete or they can be textured and coloured.

The walls are relatively simple to build by a competent contractor. Lifting plant is required as the blocks are over 1.5t in weight. 

For more guidance check out our design guide below or click here to ask a question..

Reinforced block retaining wall sizes

Depending on the height of the wall, the walls are built using either a RWS – R 600 or RWS – R 800 blocks.

RWS – R 600 blocks are used for wall heights from 1.8m to 4.8m as you can see in the table above.

The dimensions of this block are 600mm wide x 800mm high x 1800mm, 1500mm, 1200mm, 900mm and 800mm long.

The walls are built to a modular of 600mm.

Each standard block builds 1.08 m2 of the wall.

The blocks are made from high-strength (50N/mm2) concrete, using natural stone and aggregates. This allows the blocks to have high levels of durability.

As each block has its own lifting pin cast into it – you can easily change the way in which they are configured without the need for specialist lifting equipment or grabs.

RWS – R 800 blocks are used for wall heights from 5.6m to 6.4m as you can see in the table above.

The dimensions of this block are 800mm wide x 800mm high x 1600mm, and 800mm long.

Each standard block builds 1.28 m2 of the wall.

The smaller lengths allow for bonding. The walls are built to a modular of 800mm.

The blocks are made from high-strength (50N/mm2) concrete, using natural stone and aggregates. This allows the blocks to have high levels of durability.

As each block has its own lifting pin cast into it – you can easily change the way in which they are configured without the need for specialist lifting equipment or grabs.

Reinforced block retaining wall design guide

The design table below shows an example of the wall heights. We can design walls for many civil engineering problems using reinforced block retaining walls.

Height	1800	2400	3000	3600	4200	4800	5600	6400
Block Type	600	600	600	600	600	600	800	800
Base Width	1400	1800	2200	2400	2800	3200	4800	5600
Base Depth	200	300	300	400	500	500	600	700
Rebar Toe	A393	A393	A393	B785	B785	B785	B785	H16@200
Rebar Heel	A393	A393	B785	H16@200	H16@200	H20@200	H20@200	H25@200
Pocket Rebar	1 H25	1 H25	1 H25	1 H25	2 H25	2 H25	1 H40	2 H40
Surcharge	10kn/m²	10kn/m²	10kn/m²	10kn/m²	10kn/m²	10kn/m²	10kn/m²	10kn/m²
Factor Of Safety	M=1.5	M=1.5	M=1.5	M=1.5	M=1.5	M=1.5	M=1.5	M=1.5
Cost Index	32	49	60	76	102	116	166	218
Sketch

The design table above for the reinforced block retaining walls are indicative designs based upon a base material with allowable bearing pressure of >200kPa.

The retained material is assumed to be well graded, granular backfill with back of wall drainage or weep holes to relieve hydrostatic pressure.

All indicative information presented in this table is based upon assumed loading and ground conditions.

This table is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change following a detailed, site-specific design developed by an approved structural engineer.