The first step in building an Anchor™ retaining wall is thorough planning. Here is what you need:
Required Design Information
- Site Plan
The Site Plan is a detailed drawing of the site that includes wall location, length, elevations, information on grading, underground utilities, erosion control and storm water management.
- Design Soils Information
The Design Soils Information identifies the kinds of soils on your construction specifications.
- Wall Construction Plan
The Wall Construction Plan is a blueprint of the wall you're going to build and has five requirements:
- Wall, toe and crest elevations
- Reinforcement location and length
- Soil conditions and parameters
- Drainage and other wall details
- Wall construction specifications
- Installation Guidelines
The best place to find installation guidelines is in the Segmental Retaining Wall Installation Guide from the National Concrete Masonry Association. To receive a copy of the NCMA Segmental Retaining Wall Installation Guide, call the NCMA directly at (703) 713-1900.
Evaluation
- Evaluation of the Wall Design
With the site plan, design soils information, wall construction plan and installation guidelines, you have all the information you'll need to build your Anchor wall. Check the wall plan for accuracy, and make sure it's certified by a registered engineer.
- Submittals
Submittals include obtaining Anchor Wall Systems literature, signed and stamped drawings with calculations, retaining wall block test results (for example compressive strengths and absorption), samples of the block, and samples of the reinforcement and accompanying literature.
