Flood Defence Wall Guide Retining Wall Solutions

Flood Defence Wall Guide

Basic Design PrinciplesThis is a simple explanation of the principles of retaining wall design.

The diagrams below show the core functions and the design criteria for a retaining wall. The following failure criteria areencountered while designing a retaining wall.

Overturning

Bearing capacitySlidingSlope stability

Shear

SeepagePiping

Overturning - The material being retained creates a force (moment) that causes toppling of the wall. The weight of agravity retaining wall resists this moment.Bearing capacity - The weight of the wall and earth is supported by the base. The ground bearing capacity needs to bechecked to ensure any settlement is within limits.Sliding - The material being retained creates a horizontal force that can cause the retaining wall to slide. This is resistedby the friction between the wall and earth beneath and the embedment of the wall.Stability - The earth around the wall requires adequate strength to avoid an overall slip failure.Shear - The blocks can shear at the base or between courses. We introduce a kicker at the base and interlocking buttonsto resist these forcesSeepage - Water seeping underneath the foundationPiping - When seeping become faster and flowing this then becomes piping that can cause the wall to slide and rotate.The solution is to build a cutoff. This is an extended to, see the sketches on the next page.

Interlock Wall Solutions

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Flood Defence Wall Designs

Typical

Protecting a water worksasset from flooding on aflood plane

2.1m high wall2.1m high wall waterproof concrete cavity fill

0.9m high wall

1.5m high wall

www.retainingwallsolutions.co.uk

Wallbloc

Wallbloc measure 300mm wide x 600mm high and are1800mm, 1200mm and 600mm long. Gravity flood defencewalls can be built two blocks high two blocks wide.

A heavy duty membrane is placed between the two skinsblocks to waterproof the wall.

Buildings

Bund walls

Retaining walls

Safe walking ways

Security blocks

Wallbloc is used to build flooddefence walls


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Wallbloc R

Wallbloc R has the same dimensions as Wallbloc. The onlydifference is the introduction of three 60mm dia ducts inbetween the interlocking buttons for rebar reinforcement.

This allows us to use the blocks as reinforced retaining walls.The height of the wall determines the size of reinforcement andthe foundation.

A heavy duty membrane is placed between the two skins blocksto waterproof the wall.

A very simple solution that allows flood defense walls to beconstructed at extremely competitive prices, very quickly.

Call 0800 880 3135 today for a comprehensive design andbuild solution.

Wallbloc R is used to buildreinforced block walls


Stackabloc

Stackabloc measure 800mm wide x 800mm high and are1600mm and 800mm long.They offer greater mass than ourVirtabloc version that have a cross section of 800mm x 800mm

Stackabloc are very versatile and can be used for multiplepurposes, such as:

Buildings

Bund walls

Retaining walls

Safe walking ways

Security blocks

Stackabloc is used to build gravityretaining walls


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Stackabloc R

Stackabloc R has the same dimensions as Stackabloc. Theonly difference is the introduction of two 100mm dia ducts inbetween the interlocking buttons closer to the rear of theblock to give the greatest advantage for the rebarreinforcement.

This allows us to use the blocks in reinforced retaining walls.The height of the wall determines the size of reinforcementand the cantilever foundation. Request our retaining walldesign guide for more information.

A very simple solution that allows high retaining walls to beconstructed at extremely competitive prices, very quickly.

Call 0800 880 3135 today for a comprehensive designand build solution.

Stackabloc R is used to buildreinforced block walls


Virtabloc

Virtabloc measure 600mm wide x 600mm high and are1800mm, 1200mm, 900mm and 600mm long. They are usedfor smaller and slightly more economical gravity retaining walls.

For greater mass we recomend the use of Stackabloc.

Virtabloc & Stackabloc are very versatile and can be used formany other purposes, such as:

Buildings

Bund walls

Retaining walls

Safe walking ways

Security blocks

Virtabloc is used to build gravityretaining walls


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Virtabloc R

Virtabloc R has the same dimensions as Virtabloc.The only difference is the introduction of two 100mmdia ducts in between the interlocking buttons closer tothe rear of the block for the rebar reinforcement.

This allows us to use the blocks in reinforcedretaining walls. The height of the wall determines thesize of reinforcement and the cantilever foundation.Refer to the design table for more information

A very simple solution that allows high retaining wallsto be constructed at extremely competitive prices,very quickly.

Call 0800 880 3135 today for a comprehensivedesign and build solution.

Virtabloc R is used to buildreinforced block walls


Quality Testing

Strength TestingIn the U.K., the accepted design guidelines by the civilengineering industry are the British Standards.

Our products are tested for strength in compressionaccording to BS EN 12390.

We test concrete on a regular basis to ensure ourproduction of concrete meets the standards we are workingto.

This is a crucial aspect to meet our clients needs forconcrete blocks of different strengths. These are marked asConcrete Grades which range from C20 – C50, where 20and 50 stand for compressive strengths of 20 N/mm2and 50N/mm2.

C20/30 grade is ideally used in non-structural applicationssuch as in waste segregation bays, separation walls,agricultural clients while C40/50 high strength concrete istypically strong enough for bridges, retaining walls andinterestingly – shooting ranges.

Particle TestingConcrete is a cocktail of several building materials such asaggregates, cement and sand. Our concrete blocks are made withconstituents that have passed particle test analysis using methodsdirected by the British Standards, BSEN 123560

We test materials from different sources using sieve analysis andparticle distribution analysis to gauge client needs and providecost effective solutions in the form of quality tested concrete legoblocks.

Design and Build ConsultingAt Blockwalls, we pride ourselves on a holisticapproach to provide clients with solutions for theirengineering problems. Our designing service allowsclients the freedom to utilise concrete blocksefficiently with great value for money. In thisbrochure, some examples of our retaining wall designhave been displayed. These are indicative and willrequire additional calculations depending upon thegeotechnical conditions.

We encourage clients to supply us with the basicdetails of the project and come up with swift andfeasible designs to suit their needs. On the Blockwallswebsite, the technical section has downloadable PDFand DWG technical drawings of the various concreteblocks supplied by us.

Call 0800 880 3135 today for a comprehensive designand build solution.


0800 8803135www.retainingwallsolutions.co.uk

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Flood Defence Wall Guide Retining Wall Solutions