Segmental Retaining Walls
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Retaining Walls
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| SRWs are constructed by laying several courses
and sometimes geogrid fabrics are used to anchor the wall back
into the earth behind the wall. |
Segmental retaining walls (SRWs) are popular for use as transportation
structures, especially bridge abutments, and also for residential
landscaping applications. They accommodate grade changes effectively,
can be laid in any combination of curved and straight wall sections,
and look good. The walls may be vertical or slightly inclined toward
the side retaining earth.
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| Placing an SRW unit with a split-face finish.
Block is held in place by gravity/friction and with pins between
courses. |
SRWs are single wythe walls laid without mortar. Units are designed
to interlock between courses or to use mechanical devices like connecting
pins to resist lateral soil pressure. Walls typically range in height
from 8 in. (204 mm) to 20 ft (6.1 m). For added stability on taller
walls, geosynthetic fabric can be laid between various courses and
embedded in the soil as an anchor.
SRW units are often finished with a decorative color and/or texture.
Units are manufactured to conform to ASTM
C 1372, Standard Specification for Segmental Retaining Wall
Units. The standard includes notes to the purchaser about specifying
optional characteristics such as weight classification, high compressive
strength, and surface texture, finish, or color where desired.
For more information, see the National
Concrete Masonry Association’s TEK sheets on SRWs.
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