Put up a Barrier with Sheet Piling
Sheet piling is a method which is used to create a barrier. A sheet piling barrier is created from interlocking sheets of steel and is a different type of driven piling. The interlocking steel sheet piles then form retaining walls.
Sheet piles are driven directly into the ground using piling equipment such as vibratory hammers. The barrier that is formed by the sheet piles is impermeable which means that it prevents water from seeping through. Sheet piles are drilled into the ground until the sheet piles stand at approximately two thirds below the ground, with the remaining third above ground level. Depending what your requirements are, sheet piles can are available in a wide range of sizes. Taller sheet piles require a back anchor that is inserted into the soil at a specific distance behind the wall – this provided additional support.
Sheet piling is a method used to ensure that retaining walls maintain a sturdy presence and continue to provide unfailing support to a structure.
Additional Support with a Retaining Wall
Constructing a retaining wall serves three main purposes – to support sloping earth, to drain any water and to reduce hydrostatic pressure. The most common type of retaining wall is the cantilever wall. A cantilever retaining wall is constructed with a free-standing barrier which does not have any lateral support at the top. The retaining walls tend to cantilevered from a footing which reaches up past the grade on one side. On the other side, it holds back a higher level grade.
It is important to hire a piling contractor who has specialist knowledge of retaining walls. Planning is key to an effective, stable retaining wall as they need to be constructed so as to resist the pressure of both soil and water.
Another common retaining wall design is the anchored retaining wall. Anchors are placed deep into the ground to support the retaining wall from behind. The method of soil nailing is then often used to reinforce the retaining wall. Soil nailing involved drilling into the ground and installing steel tendons. These are then grouted to create a composite mass which is similar to a gravity wall.
Retaining Walls and Soil Foundations
When constructing a new building, it is not possible to just simply start building on a plot of land. There is a lot of foundation preparation which needs to be carried out in the initial stages of a construction project. One of most important factor when carrying out foundation or retaining wall work is to ascertain what type of soil you are building on.
Soil is essentially the geological erosion or rocks and is made up of solid particles and then voids. These voids – or spaces – can be filled with water or air or a combination of the two. In the UK, most soils do not contain any air once they are one metre below the surface. This is known as saturated soil.
There are many types of soil but for building purposes soil is generally split into two categories; sandy silt and boulder clay. Soils which are made up of 25% clay particles have different properties to coarser soils and it sticks together. This type of soil also swells and contracts depending on the water content. The process of water being squeezed out of this soil is known as consolidation and is one of the main causes of building settlement. Buildings can still be going through the settlement process decades after being built.
Different soil foundations require different methods of stabilisation which is why it is important for contractors to carry out thorough site investigations and decide whether a retaining wall or other foundation works are appropriate.
About Foundation Piling
Before commencing any foundation piling work it is necessary to carry out a thorough site investigation so that all potential risk factors can be dealt with. There are several different factors which need to be taken into consideration when carrying out a site investigation and these will determine whether or not foundation piling is a suitable method to be used.
Foundation piling is an ideal option to be used on sites where ground conditions are poor. Piling is used more and more as quality construction sites are available less and less. A pile consists of a rectangular slab of concrete which contains reinforced steel bars for extra strength. Piles differ in size, depending on the type of structure they will be supporting.
The piles are driven into the ground as far as they will go and then the tops are cut off. Enough steel is exposed so that the pile can be tied to the beams. A mud-mat or layer of concrete is then laid over the piles. Around the perimeter of the site, a retaining wall needs to be built which creates a trench into which the foundations will be poured.
When this section of the work has been completed, reinforced steel is put into the site and tied in place, forming a steel cage. The concrete foundations can then be poured in to complete the process. Once the foundation concrete has dried it is ready for building the structure. This is successful foundation piling!
Standing Strong with a Retaining Wall
The implementation of a retaining wall will give the required support for a building when it is being constructed on sloping or uneven ground. A well designed retaining wall will also provide a drainage system so that water runs away from the structure and reduce hydrostatic pressure. Pairing a retaining wall with the procedure of soil nailing will reinforce the retaining wall further. Soil nailing is undertaken by drilling steel tendons into the soil and grouting them.
It is essential to undergo extensive planning when designing a retaining wall as all construction projects differ. The retaining wall needs to be substantial enough to suit the ground that it is being installed in. If the retaining wall is not designed or installed correctly then the result will be that the wall will eventually collapse. The level of pressure should be at its lowest at the top of the wall and gradually increase towards the base.
There are several different materials which retaining walls can be constructed with including stones, concrete blocks, wooden planks and logs. There are several factors which need consideration when designing a retaining wall such as its height, soil type, the angle of the slope and whether any heavy weight is going to be located near to the slope i.e. structures and/or vehicles.
Make your Retaining Wall stronger with Soil Nailing
Soil nailing is a technique which is used for retaining walls and other projects, as a way of reinforcing the soil. Soil nailing can be used as a solution for both permanent and temporary retaining walls. As part of soil nailing, the slope or wall which is required to be stabilised first needs to be predrilled. Long steel rods are then put in place and grouted in firmly to hold the soil in place. If the soil contains corrosive elements, then the steel rods need to be coated in anti-corrosives to protect them. To give the soil optimum stability, a covering later fixes the rods in place.
Soil nailing has a wealth of advantages. It is ideal when working on sites which have a limited amount of space, as there is little need of room to manoeuvre. Soil nailing can follow irregular and tight corners, as well as providing stability to the wall from the top to the bottom. This means that the soil can be secured whilst workers continue to dig down deeper.
After the soil nailing has been completed, shortcrete is commonly used to secure the reinforcing rods. There are also other options used by construction workers, such as creating a green or living wall. The type of retaining wall used depends on the environment of the construction.
Strengthen the foundations with a Retaining Wall
A retaining wall is constructed on sloping ground in order to create a stable structure and prevent the erosion and movement of the soil. The retaining wall will balance out lateral pressures that occur from the ground sloping. Seepage holes within the structure allow any ground water that has accumulated to escape, which makes the wall more stable by releasing water pressure.
Retaining walls can be made from a number of different materials. Concrete and stone are popular choices as well as special retaining wall blocks that are made from aggregate materials (sand and gravel) and light concrete. Some types of retaining wall blocks are interlocking, which means that they do not require mortar to be secured together.
Retaining wall blocks are a reliable and affordable option when stabilising a sloped area of ground. Creating a level surface is key to ensuring lasting stability. Each layer of retaining wall blocks needs to be backfilled with sand, stone, gravel or leftover soil, to bulk out the structure and also to allow water to drain out. Now your retaining wall will do its job.