Segmental retaining walls are gravity retaining walls that rely primarily on their mass (weight) to resist the destabilizing force from retained soils (backfill) and surcharge loads. The system consists of manufactured concrete units that are placed without the use of mortar (dry stacked) and are usually connected through concrete shear keys or mechanical connectors. The units may also be used in combination with horizontal layers of soil reinforcement that extend into the backfill to increase the effective width and weight of the gravity mass.
This guide provides an overview for contractors and owners for the correct and successful installation of segmental retaining wall (SRW) systems, addressing the specific installation steps for engineered and non-engineered SRW systems.The information provided here covers the general installation guidelines for SRWs, site specific conditions should be appropriately evaluated by a qualified engineer. Users should reference the product-specific information provided by the block, geogrid and geotextile manufacturers for additional information unique to each system.