What is Best Practices for SRW Design?

Written by Kyle Huerd

Think of a manual for an engineer, contractor, architect, or owner that provides the best scenario on retaining wall designs to navigate you from the beginning of your project to the end.  Not only will you find most of the answers for the questions that come up on your retaining wall questions, but the Best Practices really reduces the chance of wall failures as it is part of the Zero Wall Failures Initiative.  The document was written to provide that guidance to the designers around the world as we didn’t have much guidance on many key topics in the Segmental Retaining Wall Industry.  So not only does the document answer those questions, it is backed with over 30 years of field experience and testing to make your project a success! 

Download a copy of Allan Block Best Practices for SRW Design here or visit our website for more

Are Heel or Toe Drains Necessary?

Toe Drain

Written by Jeremy Zeis

Retaining walls and water are almost always bitter enemies. If a retaining wall fails, there is a good chance that the reason for failure has something to do with water. That being said, routing water away from your retaining wall is a very important step in the design process.

A common question that we get is if the toe and heel drains are necessary on every design. The toe drain’s main purpose is to collect and expel incidental water that makes its way through the wall rock right behind the wall but shouldn’t be used as a main drainage system. The heel drain is used to route water that has migrated behind the wall away from the reinforced soil mass. 

Heel Drain

While we always recommend adding toe drains, heel drains are not always needed. For example, gravity walls don’t have a reinforced soil mass to route water away from, and a wall designed with no-fines-concrete doesn’t need a heel drain because the water will flow straight through the concrete mass.

The reason that Allan Block always recommends a drain is because there is always a chance that water will get behind the wall, and it’s very important for the water to have a safe exit path that avoids the wall. Here at Allan Block it’s our goal to see all retaining walls designed and built properly and now that you know the importance of toe and heel drains, you can help us reach that goal.

Learn more about water management and retaining walls at allanblock.com

Top Patio Designs using AB Courtyard by Allan Block

Written by Gerri Hansen

The AB Courtyard Patio Wall product uses concrete blocks to bring unique designs to your landscaping in many different applications.  This durable, versatile two-sided free standing wall system stacks simply together like kids building blocks.  Easily build panel and post type walls or applications like custom kitchens, BBQ surrounds, fire pits, bench seating and much, much more.

If you are looking for design ideas to upgrade your patio space, there are pre-designed patio packages and weekend projects ideas ready to fit needs.  All the packages offer complete instructions and video installation from start to finish.  These packages can fit right on your existing patio surface or built on a foundation and can be modified to fit any space with minor changes to the layout.  

The Allan Block line of retaining wall products also works well with the AB Courtyard products with matching colors and textures.  If you have an uneven backyard space, use the retaining wall products to level the space a raised patio and then top it off with a Courtyard wall above.  The two products blend together seamlessly.

There is a complete photo library available of backyard landscaping ideas using AB Courtyard that include patio enclosures, outdoor kitchens, ponds, planters, fire pits, seating and more.  With simple and detailed instructions, AB Courtyard should be the product of choice.

I am building stairs with my retaining wall, what are my options?

Written by Danelle DeMartini

Stairs help us gain access to vertical spaces, break up long stretches of wall and generally look nice. Choosing the right stair design for you space is important before you start construction.  Here are just a few options to get your design juices flowing.

Is your stairway short or long? You can breakup long stairways with landings, curves or switchbacks

Does your space allow for stairs to go alongside the wall or do you want to save space with a stairway within the wall? Do you want rounded steps or a more angular look?

Whatever design you choose, using an Allan Block retaining wall product allows you the opportunity to different textures for your design while making the installation process straightforward.  For more information on stair designs and stairway installation, visit allanblock.com.