9/2017 – Step by Step rock face wall

Step by step TERRAFORCE rock face retaining wall:

Terraforce rock face retaining wall in picturesque Cornwall, on a plot in the town of Rock, a holiday resort across the Camel Estuary from the fishing port of Padstow. Installed by Ross Campbell, Ross Campbell Contractors, the 4000-block wall is built with starter bar to the top of the vertical section, with concrete infill, a double block layer and no fines concrete infill for extra reinforcing.

The sloped section has a geogrid layer placed every second row of blocks. A perforated 110mm drainpipe drains out any excess water via two discharge points.

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Foundation with protruding re-bars and first double layer of blocks installed with sub-soil drain

Foundation with protruding re-bars and first double layer of blocks installed with sub-soil drain

Sub-soil drain encased in no-fines concrete, wrapped in filter fabric

Sub-soil drain encased in no-fines concrete, wrapped in filter fabric

Backfill compacted with first layer of geo-grid rolled out.

Backfill compacted with first layer of geo-grid rolled out.


Third row of single blocks, stepped back and back-filled with coarse compacted material.

Third row of single blocks, stepped back & back-filled with coarse compacted material

 Filling and hand tamping of blocks.

Careful filling and hand tamping of blocks, row by row

Third layer of geo-grid clamped between blocks.

Third layer of geo-grid clamped between blocks


Curving around a platform feature.

Curving around a platform

Frontal view of the platform.

Frontal view of the platform

Finishing off at final level.

Finishing off at final level


Applying final touches and preparing for landscaping.

Applying final touches and preparing for landscaping

The wall will be planted the next summer season.

The wall will be planted the next summer season

Happy contractor, Ross Campbell!

Happy contractor, Ross Campbell!