Engineered Boulder Retaining Wall Construction
At 2:05:01 in
Day at work with Genadek Landscaping, Mowing, Hardscaping and Excavating
What happens here
The speaker showcases a complex boulder retaining wall project designed to prevent a house from sliding into a lake. This 16-foot tall, engineered retaining wall uses large base boulders, geotextile fabric behind the wall, and geogrid layers placed horizontally every 2 feet. A 33-inch commercial Wacker rammer is used for compaction behind the wall, crucial for stability. The owner notes the importance of meticulous placement of boulders, often in a basketweave pattern, to ensure structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. He emphasizes that the aesthetic details, such as a mix of horizontal and vertical boulder placements, are part of the 'picky' and skilled work of the operator. The overall goal is to prevent property damage and create a durable, attractive lakeside retaining structure.
Goal: Construct a stable and aesthetically pleasing 16-foot tall boulder retaining wall.
Tools and materials
- Gloves — Hand protection
- Safety Glasses — Eye protection
- Skid Steer Loader Bobcat T180 — Moving boulders and assisting with grading
- Geogrid — Horizontal reinforcement of the wall
- Geotextile Fabric — Preventing soil erosion behind the wall
- Large Boulders — Constructing the retaining wall