RetainingWallExpert.com

Constructing a Retaining Wall on Sliding Soils

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:11:22 PST

The old retaining wall (which failed) was constructed on soils that were sliding downhill! The rock was too deep to put the new retaining wall on the bedrock, so we drilled piers down to the bedrock to stop the hill from sliding and to support the new retaining wall.

This video shows you how to prevent a retaining wall failure when there are sliding soils!

Link to Photos of this project

Joseph Kowalski, P.E.
www.RetainingWallVideos.com
Current State PE Registrations

SmartSlope

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 22:02:53 PST

SmartSlope Living Wall

Every once in a while, a truly fantastic product comes along. SmartSlope is one of those products! The benefits include: excellent block dimension tolerance, a 100% mechanical connection to the reinforcement, a huge pocket for holding soils, the ability to batter at 20 degrees or flatter, and the ability to install drip irrigation lines directly into the block!

Here's a video about the system:

So, we are talking about the Living Wall: the most environment-friendly block on the market and the only block with a true 100% mechanical, verifiable connection.

For more info see SmartSlope.com

Retaining Walls: What is Global Stability?

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 07:27:51 PST

Global Stability is the stability of the hillside ABOVE and BELOW a retaining wall. By it's very existence, a retaining wall changes the shape of a hillside. These changes should be addressed by the Engineer and Contractor to determine if the hillside is stable. Take a look at these sketches, photos and video:

Retaining Wall Failure and Rebuild 6041

Sun, 30 Jan 2011 17:07:32 PST

Retaining Wall Failure: upper portion collapsed

When this 38-foot high retaining wall failed, Kowalski Engineering was retained to help. Our services included determining what caused the failure, redesigning the new retaining wall, and reviewing the new wall's construction.

Many of the retaining wall blocks were reused on the project - demonstrating that these blocks are extremely durable, even after being dislodged from such a height. You see, the large and durable block facing was not the problem.

Retaining Wall Failure: upper portion collapsed

The problems were: the type of soil used during construction, the spacing of the geogrids, and (you guessed it) water. Remember this recipe for failure: "Just Add Water".

Good design and good construction will account for the "added water" and a retaining wall will be quite stable. We engineered the new retaining wall and reviewed its construction.

Retaining Wall Rebuilt

SEE OUR INTERACTIVE PROJECT LOCATION MAP:

View Retaining Wall Expert Projects Map in a larger map

Failing Retaining Wall Pushing Building

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:30:00 PST

In Cincinnati, Ohio we have our fair share of retaining wall failures: due to poor construction, poor design, or sometimes just age! In this case, a number of factors contribute to a failing retaining wall that is literally shoving a building sideways!

Photo of failing old stone retaining wall pushing building sideways!

At this location, a natural stone retaining wall was constructed outside an apartment building. The foundation walls of the apartment building and this stone retaining wall are supporting the land adjacent to them.

However, at some point in the past another retaining wall was added above! This additional retaining wall was constructed just a few feet away from the apartment building. The nearby wall is about 6 feet high, and adds a huge amount of loading to the basement/foundation wall and to the natural stone wall.

The basement wall is being held in place at the front of the building and at the middle of the building, because there are walls at a 90-degree angle to the basement wall. Those walls are supporting the basement wall.

However, at the rear, where there are openings for the garage doors, there is little support. The top of the garage doors has been shifted a few INCHES sideways, and the back wall of the apartment building is bulging outward. Even the old stone wall is being pushed outward.

The owner is currently exploring options for repair!

Jet Filter System

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 21:42:48 PST

Jet Filter Components

Retaining walls are failing daily in all parts of the world due to the lack of proper erosion control. The JET FILTER prevents seawall failure by relieving pressure and allowing drainage while saving time & money on extensive repairs. The JET FILTER relieves the hydrostatic pressures created by rain water as well as tidal surges trapped behind erosion control structures such as:

Seawalls
Bulkheads
Retaining Walls
Sheet Piling

Because of its unique design, the Jet Filter allows water behind walls to escape, but retains the soil.

For more information contact:

Mr. David Gentry
Blue Marlin Marine Solutions
PO Box 31
Casey, Illinois 62420
dgentry@jetfiltersystem.com
239.825.4508

Jet Filter Installed in Sheetpile Wall to Relieve Water Pressure

Retaining Wall Failure - San Antonio TX

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:07:03 PST

Retaining Wall Failure in San Antonio, Texas

This past Sunday (January 24, 2010) a large retaining wall failed in a San Antonio, Texas subdivision. Initially 80 homes were evacuated when crevices up to 15 feet deep appeared after the 1000-foot long retaining wall failed. READ MORE .....

Allan Block 90-Degree Corner

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:22:52 PST

Have you ever tried to construct a 90-degree bend using Allan Blocks and wondered where to make the saw cut?

THIS VIDEO SHOWS YOU HOW! Take a minute and learn how to make PERFECT 90-degree outside corners with Allan Block. READ MORE ....

Drilled Pier Walls

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:29:26 PST

Rock Anchors and Moving Mountains

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:22:36 PST

PDF showing rock anchors for Costco, St. John's, NB, Canada

What began as simply "moving a mountain" quickly became an engineering challenge. The task: find a safe way to quickly and safely anchor the bottom of a 7-meter high retaining wall from falling off a 10-meter high cliff onto the heavily-travelled roadway below! Canada, here we come!

Because excavating solid bedrock in New Brunswick, Canada, was prohibitively expensive, we assisted the design engineer in developing rock anchors for the lowest region of the MSE retaining wall on the top of a rock outcrop. READ MORE ...

Fences Down Under

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:43:02 PST

We received this question from West Perth, Australia. How close can you excavate for a new wall near existing fence posts?

From: Frederick
Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 4:00 AM
To: JoeK@RetainingWallExpert.com
Subject: wall question

Hey guys, I just found your website and its great.

I need to build a retaining wall in my back yard but the neighbouring fence is five feet higher than the ground level, how do I build the retaining wall without the fence falling down?

thanks guys

Frederick in West Perth WA 6005
_______________________________________________________________

Frederick,

We'd be glad to help with your wall project. By the way, I've got some relatives in Australia, but they live near Adelaide! My wife visited a number of years ago, and my father-in-law usually travels there about every 2 years, and spends a few weeks traveling from Perth to Sydney.

Anyway, back to your wall question ..... Read More ...

Advertise with us!

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:20:03 PST

ADVERTISING PROGRAM TYPES:

NATIONAL, STATE-BY-STATE, PER-CATEGORY, "MOUSE-OVER", and MEMBER AREA.

NATIONAL ADS can include:
- Rotating Banner Ad below US Map on Home Page (high visibility, rotates with other National Ads);
- Fixed (non-rotating) advertisement on right side of Home Page (very high visibility, does not rotate with other National Ads, appears on Home page at all times unless a state is actively clicked, also appears on all Category pages;
- Can be purchased yearly or monthly. Call for rates.

STATE-BY-STATE ADS can include:
- Graphic and/or text listing to the right of the US Map when any state is actively clicked;
- Fixed (non-rotating) advertisement on right side of Home Page when a state is actively clicked;
- Can be purchased yearly or monthly. Call for rates.

PER-CATEGORY ADS include:
- An exclusive, fixed (non-rotating) banner ad on the top of the Category of your choice. Ad appears full-time when articles are read, videos are watched, and when that category is viewed.;
- This is an excellent option for very targeted ads in specific categories ;
- Can be purchased yearly or monthly. Call for rates.

"MOUSE-OVER EFFECT" ADS include:
- Only one per state!
- A graphic and text Ad appears when the mouse is "over" the state of your choice on the US Map!
- No click is required!
- An excellent option for the highest visibility in each state;
- Can be purchased yearly or monthly. Call for rates.

MEMBER AREA ADS include:
- Rotating banner ad in the Member Area (aka, www.EngineerOnStaff.com)
- Can be purchased yearly or monthly. Call for rates.

EMAIL: Joseph W. Kowalski

or call: 513-984-8095

Radio Show March 21 2009

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:01:23 PST

AT HOME WITH GARY SULLIVAN SHOW!

Thank you Gary Sullivan, 55KRC (550AM), and Executive Producer Joe Strecker! During the "At Home With Gary Sullivan" Show on March 21st we answered retaining wall questions from across the U.S. from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. What a real treat - thanks, guys!

If you'd like to download the podcasts, click here:

AT HOME WITH GARY SULLIVAN, MAR 21

Gary Sullivan and Joe Kowalski at 55KRC

Steep Reinforced Soil Slope

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:36:17 PST

A Reinforced Soil Slope (RSS) is a very steep soil slope that uses geogrid to allow the slope to be steeper than nature will normally allow.

Gslope Slope Stability Software

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:56:31 PST

A complete retaining wall design analyzes wall stability and Global Stability. One of our recommended software programs for global stability is Gslope!

GSLOPE allows geotechnical engineers to carry out limit equilibrium slope stability analysis of existing natural slopes, unreinforced man-made slopes, or slopes with soil reinforcement. The program uses Bishop’s Modified method and Janbu’s Simplified method. GSLOPE allows either method to be applied to circular, composite, and non-circular surfaces.

Retaining Wall with No Stone Drainage Column?

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:15:15 PST

This video shows an innovative design of a monster retaining wall with no stone drainage column.

Fred Creek Wall in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:39:12 PST

When the natural banks of Fred Creek, a storm water runoff channel near the campus of Oral Roberts University (ORU) in downtown Tulsa, began eroding and threatening the stability of the banks and associated utilities, the city needed to stabilize the stream banks while providing an attractive green area for jogging trails and parks...

Strata Systems

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:20:23 PST

Strata Systems has extensive experience with retaining walls of all types. Strata systems geogrid products have been proven in many installations throughout North America with a broad variety of modular block facings.

Keystone Century Wall Units

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:10:22 PST

Keystone Century Wall is a dry stacked yet mechanically connected wall that evokes the old world charm of a mason crafted structure. Random and rugged yet blended with color and character, these high strength concrete modules appear as natural stone, but have the latest built-in technology of the Keystone pin assured connection. Designed specifically for taller wall structures and heavy loading conditions, Keystone Century Wall blends the distinctive look and character of natural stone with structural integrity that lets you build with confidence.

Keystone Standard Unit

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:46:24 PST

The Keystone Standard Unit is an American original. What started the industry is still the industry leader. Its height-to-depth ratio delivers a structurally sound, engineered wall system with superior construction stability, durability, and strength. The choice for tall walls and critical structures.