How to make a concrete retaining wall with your own hands – a step-by-step plan

Adding a concrete retaining wall to your landscape can be a rewarding project that improves both its functionality and appearance. An effective retaining wall can be very beneficial when it comes to preventing erosion, building a terraced garden, or holding back soil. Additionally, you can save a ton of money by doing it yourself.

Although the procedure could initially seem overwhelming, you can approach this project with confidence if you have the right supplies and a clear plan in place. This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the entire process, from site preparation to concrete pouring, to guarantee a strong and long-lasting retaining wall.

It’s important to gather all required tools and materials before you start. Concrete mix, wooden forms, reinforcing steel bars (rebar), a shovel, a level, and other standard construction tools are required. A smooth construction process and the avoidance of common pitfalls depend heavily on planning and preparation.

As soon as your materials are ready, you should begin by laying the foundation, creating the building forms, and strengthening the structure. You can build a sturdy retaining wall that will endure over time by following this guide, even though each step calls for close attention to detail.

Purpose

To stop soil slippage, a protective wall must be built if the land slopes more than 80 degrees. When putting a private home on a steep bank next to a reservoir, the building structure is also installed.

The primary tasks carried out by a cement-sand support are:

• fixation and consolidation of the soil in the required position;
• zoning of the personal plot;
• formation of horizontal planes when decorating a landscape design of the territory.

A suburban support structure can serve as decorative, protective, or both at the same time.

Design features

In contrast to comparable concrete structures, supporting structures composed of wood, artificial stone, and block products already have a decorative appearance and don’t need to be finished.

However, they are constrained by the execution’s size:

• the height of the walls erected using block products (brick, stone, etc.) depends on the power of the arranged foundation and the thickness of the structure itself;
• wooden walls require building up.

This kind of issue doesn’t arise when building concrete monoliths. Up to 15 meters can be built on top of them. They have a long service life and can tolerate large soil loads at the same time.

The sole disadvantage is that finishing the concrete surface is necessary and adds to the cost. Any finishing material, etc., can be used; the strength characteristics remain unchanged. However, because of its porous structure, the concrete must necessarily have its surface processed. If the finishing is not done correctly, moisture will seep into the material’s pores and cause the structure to collapse quickly.

1. From precast concrete. Such products are distinguished by increased strength characteristics and correct geometry.
2. Formwork structures. For their installation, wooden formwork is pre-made, into which the solution is poured. This technology makes it possible to install buildings of non-standard shapes.
3. Use of block materials. The masonry can be left open, and monolithic surfaces require painting or cladding.
4. Erection of a building from reinforced concrete blocks. The advantage of this construction method is the speed of construction work.

Stable and long-lasting soils are used for installing cement walls.

You can improve your outdoor space by taking on the practical and satisfying task of building a concrete retaining wall yourself. From planning and material gathering to mixing concrete and finishing the wall, this guide will take you step-by-step through every step, giving you the knowledge and assurance you need to finish the job successfully.

What can affect stability

Resistance to heavy soil loads is one of the most crucial characteristics that protective concrete walls should possess. This ensures that even in the event that the soil collapses, the structure will remain intact.

Variables that may impact the supporting framework include:

1. The degree of vibration in the presence of a busy highway, road or railway near the land plot.
2. The level and activity of groundwater in rainy weather, the presence of flood phenomena in the region.
3. Seismic impacts of varying degrees during the construction of a building in seismically active areas.
4. The degree of soil heaving at negative air temperatures.

The accuracy of the retaining wall’s thickness calculation, which inevitably takes into account the structure’s height and the properties of the soil, determines the wall’s stability. Expanding the protective structure’s width is advised when constructing on soft soils. And you must consider wind loads if you intend to install a wall that is longer than two meters.

Construction of the wall

Building blocks or monolithic concrete must be installed on a job site with precision using the product’s design drawings as a guide for initial calculations and installation procedures. The protective and ornamental structure will endure for a very long time if all conditions are satisfied.

Digging a trench

The initial step in building a support on a piece of land is digging a trench that follows the shape of the future structure. It is advised to hire an excavator in order to shorten the construction project’s duration. However, shovels are used by hand to clean and level the trench.

The anticipated size of the reinforced concrete protection will determine the ditch’s depth. Digging a pit 0.4 meters deep is sufficient if its height is less than 1 meter.

First, a layer of crushed stone is poured onto the bottom, and then metal rods or a specific type of reinforcing mesh are placed on top of it. The foundation will gain strength from this. Vertical reinforcing bars are positioned all the way around the ditch’s contour. This is required to improve the cement mortar’s bonding.

In the event that a trench is not available, the soil surface must be meticulously prepped for the concrete support by removing any weeds and using a shovel to remove the top layer of grass-covered soil. It must also be leveled.

Formwork construction

Massive, long-lasting material must be used to construct the formwork when pouring a large concrete structure. You can use 3 cm thick wooden boards for this purpose, and you can join them with 5×10 cm cross-section bars.

Wooden stakes or metal pins driven into the ground with a step of no more than 50 cm can be used to secure the formwork structure at the support’s construction site.

The back wall is installed first, followed by the driving of the stakes, and finally the other structural components are installed to complete the formwork installation. A drainage system is created at this point in the construction process.

Drainage arrangement

An appropriately designed drainage system keeps soil erosion at bay by draining water from the supporting structure’s back wall.

• transverse;
• longitudinal;
• combined.

When implementing a transverse drainage system, prefabricated pipes are installed or retaining wall openings measuring Ø 10 cm are created.

The drainage is made at an angle to guarantee that water beyond the support is removed. One meter is the drainage step.

Prefinished geotextile pipe is laid when installing a longitudinal drainage system at the foundation base level.

Corrugated pipes made of asbestos-cement (plastic) that have holes in them can be used. Sand is retained and moisture is absorbed by geotextile material; water is drained through pipes outside the structure.

Calculation and mixing of cement mortar

It is advised to prepare the mixture with premium frost-resistant cement to create a sturdy decorative concrete support that won’t collapse under operation due to temperature fluctuations.

The ratio of the elements in the protective structure casting solution:

• 1 part cement;
• 3 parts sand;
• 1 part small crushed stone (gravel);
• 1 part water.

Using a shovel, the ingredients are carefully combined in a container by hand. To expedite the construction process, you can rent a concrete mixer. The homogenous mass that results is poured into a formwork structure that has already been installed.

Making sure the structure dries properly after pouring is essential. Concrete should have its moisture gradually removed; the substance shouldn’t dry out. This is accomplished by covering the structure with polyethylene film, which is periodically lifted to regulate the solution’s setting.

Concrete is periodically wetted with water during the setting and drying stages to keep it from cracking during the hot summer months and from deforming.

The formwork structure is dismantled no sooner than five to seven days later. Additionally, the material dries entirely in 28 days. Following that, the surface’s formed bumps and burrs are removed with a spatula.

Filling the space behind the supporting structure

First, either drainage soil is poured in or a drainage sheet is placed. Subsequently, carefully compacted layers of 20–40 cm selected soil are laid. The soil’s previously chopped plant layer is deposited on top.

It will take two to three weeks for the soil to naturally shrink, so more bedding will be required. Silt, peat, frozen soil, and soil containing more than 5% soluble and organic components are not suitable for these uses.

Surface waterproofing

The protective support’s back is dependable waterproof. You can use roofing felt or roofing felt as the material. On top of bitumen mastic, the waterproofing material is applied in two layers. When setting up a concrete structure on dry land, two layers of bitumen suffice to cover the structure’s back surface.

Step	Description
1. Plan and Design	Measure the area, determine the height and length of the wall, and gather all necessary materials and tools.
2. Excavate the Area	Dig a trench along the planned wall line, ensuring it"s deep and wide enough for the foundation.
3. Build the Foundation	Pour a concrete footing at the base of the trench, making it level and allowing it to cure properly.
4. Install Reinforcement	Place rebar or steel mesh in the footing to strengthen the wall, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
5. Formwork Construction	Build wooden or metal forms to shape the concrete wall, securing them firmly in place.
6. Mix and Pour Concrete	Mix concrete according to the manufacturer"s instructions and pour it into the forms, filling evenly.
7. Smooth and Cure	Level the concrete surface, smooth it out, and allow it to cure, keeping it moist to prevent cracks.
8. Remove Forms	Once the concrete has cured, carefully remove the forms without damaging the wall.
9. Backfill	Fill the area behind the wall with soil or gravel, compacting it to provide proper support.

Although it may seem overwhelming to build a concrete retaining wall on your own, it is doable with the correct plan and supplies. You can guarantee the strength and aesthetic appeal of your wall by taking a methodical approach.

The first step in building a wall is to measure and plan the area precisely. For the wall to be stable, the foundation must be properly prepared. Creating a sturdy concrete foundation will offer the required assistance.

After that, concentrate on building the wall itself. A solid structure can be produced by thoroughly mixing the concrete and pouring it into the forms. To get the most strength, make sure the surface is smooth and that it has had enough time to cure.

Lastly, think about adding your wall’s finishing touches. This can entail adding ornamental elements to improve its appearance or sealing it to prevent weathering. Your concrete retaining wall will function as intended and increase in value with time and careful attention to detail.

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