Mass Gravity Retaining Walls
2005
Haslingden, Lancashire
Tesco Ltd
Dudley Construction Ltd
Pinnacle Consulting Engineers Ltd
Retaining Wall for new supermarket
View of MacWall and the entrance of the newly built Tesco store
MacWall vertica is versatile
Post construction of MacWall
Problem
Pinnacle Consulting Engineers Ltd approached Maccaferri for assistance in the design and supply of materials for a retaining structure within a ‘split level’ car park for a supermarket.
The 130m long wall would retain the upper car parking area and support a vehicle ramp between two parking areas. The structure had to be rapid to build and complement the aesthetics of the adjacent supermarket building.
Solution
The chosen solution was MacWall; a segmental engineered retaining wall system. The system comprises a “split face” concrete fascia blockwork wall in conjunction with Paragrid™ geogrids. The geogrids reinforce the granular backfill to form a reinforced soil block capable of retaining the ground behind it.
The 3m high wall at Haslingden, required multiple layers of Paragrid™ 80/15S polyester geogrids to provide adequate soil reinforcement. MacWall blocks were supplied in a Sandstone colour, matching the masonry walls used elsewhere on the site. Due to its dry build, “mortarless” construction, and locator lug and cam on each block, the system is very easy and quick to install. William Ogilvie of Rawenstall installed the walls under sub-contract to earthworks contractor, Allan Plant & Civil Engineering Ltd.
The near vertical 7o face provided by the system maximises land gain behind and minimises land loss in front of the wall. Additionally, the high-quality “split face” concrete block finish can be supplied in a range of colours. As a final detail, a capping block is secured to the top course of blocks with an epoxy adhesive.
Maccaferri also assisted the main contractor Dudley Construction and designer, Pinnacle, with the design of vehicle crash barriers for the upper level, ensuring that the MacWall offered a suitable foundation for the barrier.