Cross section of a retaining wall a cinder block retaining wall is only as straight and solid as the base it s built on.
How to build hollow concrete block retaining wall.
However hollow concrete block walls are not structurally very strong and will not resist the flexural stress that a wall is subjected to causing them to collapse easily.
Of leveling sand and half the height of the first course of blocks.
Fill the concrete cores with crushed gravel.
Tall wall excavate a trench deep enough to accommodate 4 to 6 in.
Stack the second course of blocks on top of the first course making sure they remain level.
Then hollow blocks are filled with concrete base as an anchor for a solid stable wall capable of resisting pressure from soil and water.
Backfill with gravel behind the wall to cover the drainage pipe.
Flexural stress comes from the pressure of the load the walls bear from the upper floors or roof of a house or from storms or seismic activity.
The concrete foundation needed to support a cement block wall is usually created by pouring concrete into a hollow form lining the sides of the excavation trench but the concrete can also simply be poured into the trench a common scenario for construction of a freestanding landscape wall.
Avoid having downspouts pointed at the retaining wall and if it s against the house keep soil and mulch well below the siding.
Follow the block manufacturer s instructions for wall height limits.
The interlocking retaining wall block can be used to build walls up to 24 to 36 inches high depending on the size of the block.
How to build a concrete wall figure a.
Of compacted base 1 in.