How tall can I build a segmental retaining wall?
The height of your wall depends on site conditions, the type of product used, the batter of the wall, and whether or not it is includes a geosynthetic reinforcing (engineered wall). Site conditions that need to be considered include soil types (gravel, sand, silt, clay, combination thereof), soil characteristics (grain size, grading), in-situ state of soils (very loose, loose, compact, dense), groundwater conditions, slope of ground above and below the proposed wall, presence of surcharge loads above the wall, and overall ‘global’ slope stability. In terms of the type of product, the heavier and deeper (depth measured back from the front face) the unit, the higher the wall can likely be constructed without having to add reinforcing. For example, Wedgestone® should only be stacked 450 to 600 mm (18″ to 24″), while GrandeTM walls can be built in excess of 4.2 metres (13.8′) without geotextile reinforcing. The batter or setback of the wall is the angle of the front face of the wall as com
