Installation Guidelines

Brief installation guidelines

Planning

Develop a precise plan for your Terraforce Wall by analyzing your site, noting slopes drainage and shape of wall.
Measure the length and the vertical height to obtain the surface area and thus the number of units required.
Remember that retaining walls require professional design and supervision input and must comply with local building regulations.
Refer to Terraforce design and installation manual.

Please note: When building composite walls of any significant height, it is of crucial importance to consult with an experienced engineer. The law is very strict on these matters, with The NHBRC requirement stating that one can build a wall to a height of 1.2m without consulting an engineer, but as a general rule 1.5m for walls no steeper than 70º is also possible. Any steeper and especially load carrying walls must be designed by a qualified engineer, even if only 1.2m high.

Contractors displaying this logo have undertaken to install strictly in accordance with our standards and specifications.

Design and Construction Details

Below are three basic visual guides describing the installation process, PDF format:

Palm Jumeirah, low retaining wall

Installation Instructions – 4x4 stairs and low retaining wall. Well draining sand slopes to be retained with three terrace walls. Photo story showcasing the installation process of a low wall in Dubai, Palm Jumeirah...more
Step by step photographic instructions

This is a step by step photographic illustration on how to install Terraforce retaining blocks. Remember to always ensure a good/correct foundation and drainage system are installed. This will prevent any unwanted ground movement that could cause damage to your retaining wall...more
Installing 4x4 step blocks

This project combined both possibilities in the garden where a pool deck was constructed. Although the slope was not particularly steep, the earth was unstable, and building a retaining wall was the easiest way to stabilize it. In addition, blocks were laid along the 6 m long stairway, creating attractive planters. This is one of the simplest projects, and requires no special skills...more

See below to view a step by step photographic illustration on how to install Terraforce retaining blocks. Remember to always ensure a good/correct foundation and drainage system are installed. This will prevent any unwanted ground movement that could cause damage to your retaining wall.


1. Level foundation	2. Place row

1. Prepare a level foundation, gravel or concrete as directed by site conditions. Compacted gravel foundations are usually sufficient for structures not higher than one (1) meter. On sloping sites the foundation may be stepped by block height at intervals to suit the slope.

2. Place first row of blocks to required alignment and ensure that units are level in all directions. A small amount of mortar will assist with accurate levelling on a concrete foundation.


3. Drain pipe	4. Fill blocks

3. Install drainage pipe with outlet and free draining backfill as specified behind first row of blocks. A length of flexible pipe will assist in setting out smooth curves.

4. Fill blocks with good quality soil or soil compost mix and tamp lightly. In this instance the rounded face elevation was chosen.


5. Backfill and compaction	6. Geogrid-geofabric

5. Continue construction, row by row while backfilling and compacting free draining material as each row is completed with topsoil infill. In situ or precast interlocking keys to be installed when directed by the engineer.

6. When specified, install geogrid-geofabric on compacted backfill and wedged between blocks (or cut and folded into blocks) as indicated by the engineer.


7. Keep compacting	8. Ready for planting

7. Terraced walls must be well founded. Individual foundations as specified or as shown, on a double row of blocks on well compacted backfill.

8. The completed installation ready to be turned into a growing investment by your imaginative choice of plants.

9. The final product 10. Railing set into blocks