Boulders Be Gone! Skyland Ranch Amusement Park Chooses Redi-Rock Gravity Wall to Replace Failing Boulder Wall
Project Details
Owner: Skyland Ranch Contractor: Segmental Partnership Engineer: Engineering & Testing Solutions (ETS) Manufacturer: Charles Blalock & Sons Location: Sevierville, Tennessee Year Built: 2023
THE CHALLENGE
Skyland Ranch Amusement Park needed to replace a failing boulder retaining wall in a steep, sloped area on its property in the Smoky Mountains. The replacement wall needed to withstand limited excavation tolerances and rocky soils, ensure site stability, and match the property's rugged landscaping.
THE SOLUTION
The engineering team chose a combination of XL, standard, and Hollow-Core Redi-Rock blocks to construct a taller-than-average gravity wall retaining wall system. These three block types worked together to provide stability on a difficult site where back-of-wall reinforcement wasn't an option. The finished wall, with its Cobblestone texture, blended well with the natural surroundings and complemented the contemporary barn architecture on the property.
With Skyland’s attractions being open to the public, project owners needed a wall that would:
- Install quickly
- Adhere to finished wall height guidelines as specified in the wall design
- Retain the rocky soil without failing - and -
- Blend seamlessly with the property’s design and landscaping
A Redi-Rock gravity wall was selected for the replacement of the failing boulder wall. Gravity walls rely on the blocks' mass to withstand the earth's pressure and require less excavation, providing a strong and durable wall with no geogrid reinforcement necessary.
Segmental Partnership constructed a Redi-Rock gravity wall with six courses of Redi-Rock 96 in (2240 mm) XL Hollow-Core and 41 in (1030 mm) Hollow-Core blocks, and a single course of 28 in (710 mm) block. This combination of Redi-Rock solutions allowed for peak wall stability, and with a finished height of 28 ft (8.5 m), the wall remained under the original height restriction of 30 ft (9.1 m). Lynn Lamons, Owner of Segmental Partnership, noted that the finished wall is "not your typical gravity wall in terms of height" and emphasized that the completed wall "didn't require a grid system," making it an excellent match for the required excavation limits and helped to reduce labor costs.
With the Cobblestone texture selected for the wall, the natural, quarried stone appearance matched Skyland’s architectural elements, including farm-style buildings that house shops, dining, and other attractions.
Lamons highlighted the ease of installation provided by the Redi-Rock 96 in (2240 mm) XL Hollow-Core blocks, stating, "With the XL block, you are laying two for one. It's definitely a game changer that helped cut back on labor costs."
Lynn Lamons, Owner, Segmental Partnership
THE OUTCOME
The Redi-Rock gravity wall at Skyland Ranch provided an effective solution for a failing boulder wall. Taking full advantage of Redi-Rock’s expansive block library to create a solid solution and integrate with the ranch’s architecture, the wall ensures the park will continue offer a secure and inviting destination for visitors.
PRODUCTS FEATURED IN THIS CASE STUDY
28 in (710 mm) Blocks 41 in (1030 mm) Hollow-Core – An excellent solution for gravity walls, with 28% less concrete than the solid 41 inch (1030mm) block. 96 in (2240 mm) XL Hollow-Core – At twice the height of standard Redi-Rock blocks, with 11.5 sq ft (1.07 sq m) of face per block, and available in widths of 52, 72, and 96 in (1320, 1820, and 2440 mm), the hollow-core design helps build taller walls in tighter spaces while using less concrete. Cobblestone Texture – Cobblestone features a natural-stacked stone aesthetic. Gravity Retaining Wall Blocks – Massive Redi-Rock gravity blocks rely on the sheer mass of each block to hold back the earth.
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