Aquacast retaining walls
About aquacast retaining walls
Aquacast was originally designed for river bank erosion protection and flood defence walls but can also be used for retaining walls. The blocks are constructed using a fibre-reinforced concrete cast in a W shape. The design gives the aquacast block lots of flexibility.
Aquacast blocks can be used for domestic garden walls and flood defence as well as commercial use.
The slot design within the block provides structural holes for a piling option. Aquacast blocks are very useful for rapid construction applications including, landslides, support walls for subsided road embankments and support for collapsed sea defence walls.
Aquablock design
The W shaped Aquablock is 800mm long, 400mm wide and 125mm deep. Each block weighs 85kg and can be lifted using a small lifting grab. They are made from fibre-reinforced concrete to give them high strength and durability.
The blocks are designed so they can be placed one on top of each other and bonded or opposite each other forming a pocket for reinforcement. The block can be laid at ninety degrees from each other to form a zig-zag pattern. Watch the video to see how they can be put together.
Aquacast Methods of Use
Aquacast blocks can be used for:
- Garden retaining walls
- Home flood defence walls
- Commercial asset flood defence walls
- River bank erosion protection
- Traffic security barriers
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Aquacast retaining wall design guide
Height (mm) | 500 | 1000 | 1500 | 2000 | 2500 | 3000 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blocks per m run | 5 | 15 | 25 | 40 | 55 | 75 |
Wall Width (mm) | 400 | 800 | 800 | 1200 | 1200 | 1600 |
Base Width (mm) | 900 | 1300 | 1500 | 1900 | 2200 | 2600 |
Base Depth (mm) | 150 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 250 |
Base Top Steel | A393 | A393 | A393 | A393 | ||
Base Bottom Steel | A393 | A393 | ||||
Surcharge | 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 |
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The design table above shows indicative designs for aquacast retaining walls based upon a base material with allowable bearing pressure of >200kPa.
The design uses well-graded, granular backfill with the back of the wall having drainage 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.
Gallery of aquacast retaining walls
Compare prices of retaining wall types
Which retaining wall type is the most economical to build? We have written a free guide on retaining wall price comparisons. The guide details the different types of retaining walls and gives you a price estimate of each type to compare.
Retaining wall price comparison guideAquacast retaining wall and river bank erosion protection design service
The design of a retaining wall requires knowledge of the retaining material, the water table, the ground bearing capacity and any site constraints. The design requires a ground investigation and a structural engineer to ensure the design is fit for purpose.
We offer a full design service from carrying out the ground investigation to final working drawings.
Learn about our retaining wall design serviceOther types of walls
FAQs about aquacast retaining walls
Aquacast retaining wall are made from a w shaped concrete slab 125mm thick. The slabs are 800mm long x 400mm wide. The blocks are laid on top of each other to create the wall. The design principle is gravity. A tube can be inserted between the blocks to add some stability and keep the wall straight during construction.
The cost to build a aquacast retaining wall changes with the height of the wall, scale of project, location of the project and any site constraints.
We do have a comprehensive price table and budget calculator in our price guide. The price guide costs change over time so we keep it in one document.
You can download the document from this link. Get the price guide.
Aquacast where designed to project river banks from erosion, and to act a flood defence walls.
