Reinforced Walls
Reinforced walls from Redi-Rock benefit from the sheer size of the precast modular blocks and from stabilizing the soil behind the wall. Whether using geogrid or earth anchors, Redi-Rock reinforced walls can help achieve wall heights over 50 feet (15 meters).
Why Choose a Reinforced Wall?
Because it will allow you to...
Reach Heights Over 50 feet (15 meters) Tall
The weight-independent geogrid connection of Positive Connection (PC) blocks means that the limiting factor for the height of your wall will be the tensile strength of the geogrid itself, allowing for super tall walls.
Support Heavy Live Loads
The superior connection strength at the top of PC walls provides an advantage over friction connections, where oftentimes there’s not enough connection strength to support the pressure of a significant live load.
Reduce Geogrid Installation Errors
A 12-inch (300-mm) wide strip of geogrid wraps through the center core slot in PC blocks. It eliminates connection failures and also simplifies installation compared to directional sheets of geogrid.
Commonly Used Blocks in Reinforced Walls
The standout option for MSE walls with Redi-Rock is the Positive Connection (PC) blocks with a weight-independent geogrid connection where a 12-inch (300mm) wide strip of geogrid wraps through the block. And, when geogrid isn’t possible, earth anchors with 41in (1030mm) anchor blocks can be used to construct a reinforced wall.
A legacy element of the Redi-Rock system, some manufacturers in the network still provide blocks that utilize the 1-AT geogrid connection. This friction connection uses geogrid wrapped around a fiberglass rod that is inserted into the channel on the top of the block, then the geogrid is sandwiched between two blocks. View legacy construction details.
The core slot cast into the block allows a 12-inch (300mm) wide strip of geogrid to wrap through the block, eliminating a chance of a connection failure. PC blocks are also available in top and bottom varieties.
Without the knobs on top of the block, grading and landscaping up to the wall is easier. 28in (720mm) PC blocks are also available in middle and bottom varieties.
The 28in (720mm) PC block is sufficient for most MSE walls. In rare cases such as a waterfront application where more mass is needed to resist erosion, the 41in (1030mm) PC block is available. 41in (1030mm) PC blocks are more frequently used in gravity walls where the center void is filled with crushed stone, reducing the weight of the blocks for shipping. 41in (1030mm) PC Blocks are also available in top and bottom varieties.
Anchor blocks aid in utilizing soil anchors to reinforce a wall. The void cast into the block creates a location to secure the anchors without coring or drilling into the blocks. View anchor block construction details.
A legacy element of the Redi-Rock system, some manufacturers in the network still provide blocks that utilize the 1-AT geogrid connection. This friction connection uses geogrid wrapped around a fiberglass rod that is inserted into the channel on the top of the block, then the geogrid is sandwiched between two blocks. View legacy construction details.
The core slot cast into the block allows a 12-inch (300mm) wide strip of geogrid to wrap through the block, eliminating a chance of a connection failure. PC blocks are also available in top and bottom varieties.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Check out the entire Redi-Rock block library to view all the products available to help you solve your problems.
Reinforced Wall Case Studies
Marina Wall Weathers Tidal Fluctuations
Located along the Irish Sea at the mouth of the River Clwyd, the community of Rhyll transformed the riverfront area and Wales Coast Path in 2012. Part of the project included extending the quay 617 feet (188 lineal meters). To accomplish this, they turned to Marshall’s CPM to provide an aesthetic retaining wall solution using Positive Connection (PC) blocks that could meet the complex structural requirements of the site, including significant tidal fluctuations.
Investors Save Millions Using PC Blocks
When the estimate to remove and replace a failing panel wall at the Lakeview Shopping Center came back over the value of the development, it was time for a creative solution. Danny Romanello of Lea-Rome Excavating suggested building a Redi-Rock wall in front of the failing wall to reduce costs. The bid for the 43.5-foot (13.3-meter) tall Positive Connection (PC) wall supplied by Mid-Hudson Concrete Products came back at half the initial cost, so they had their solution.
Back-to-Back Walls Support CN Rail Line
To eliminate an at-grade-crossing for the Canadian National (CN) Railway and the Societe de Transport de Montreal (STM) light commuter Metro lines, back-to-back walls would be needed to elevate the CN line. Geotechnical engineers were looking for an alternate to cast-in-place walls, and they landed on Positive Connection (PC) walls from Graymont Materials. The weight independent connection allowed for heavy live loads near the face of the wall.
Available in Great Textures
With the appearance of natural stone, people will have to do a double take to realize it's concrete.
Reinforced Wall Construction Details
From a typical cross section using PC blocks to an anchor and waler beam option, the reinforced wall construction details help you visualize the problem solving potential of Redi-Rock no matter what your project entails.
Want to Know More About Reinforced Walls?
Watch the video to learn about the motivation and innovation behind PC blocks. In an effort to eliminate connection strength as a limiting design parameter, engineers at Redi-Rock threw away what didn’t work with typical friction connections and developed the positive connection.
Can Redi-Rock Solve Your Problems?
“When you have massive loads so near the block facing, it's hard to make a wall that will work. The walls are very high and the load is very close, but the civil engineering of [the PC] block made it a good fit.”
David Chartier V. Fournier & Associes
