NOTE: An AB Fieldstone 812 assembly is recommended for building curved retaining walls. Which made for a lot of stone caps to cut along the way. Try to keep spacing consistent between the backs of the blocks. Try to maintain an offset of the vertical seams by at least ¼ of the block length from the courses below. This will be the center of the curve. Allan Block's patented design allows for easy installation of both inside and outside curves. On inside curves, place the facing units to form the curve. To build smooth outside curves, remove one or both of the "wings" from the back of the blocks and tighten the radius of the curve. Adding topper stones can pose some challenges. When you cut stone caps, it makes the stone border wall look professionally finished. INSIDE CURVES Lay cap units side by side with the short side facing out. Set another cap on top of the first two caps in the center and mark where they overlap on the bottom of the center cap. Attach a string line to the stake the length of the radius and rotate … If the curves are mild, then use a mallet and chisel. This video shows you how to add a cap to a retaining wall system. Most curves can be built with no cutting involved. Base course radius for an outside curve on a 4 ft (1.2 m) tall 6° retaining wall. From the point of where the curve will start, measure straight back from the wall the required amount (shown in the radius chart) and drive a stake into the ground. Refer to the Radius Chart to confirm that the AB product you are using will accommodate the desired wall radius. Set the finished cap back into position on the wall. I would definately do a dry run first to see how each piece fits. Always start capping from the lowest elevation of the retaining wall. (75 mm) layer of approved fill material. Step 7: Install Landscape Fabric Although this step is sometimes omitted, it is a good idea to line the back of the trench behind the retaining wall with landscape fabric. You can use a masonry saw to trim the block to the size you need for extreme curves. Capping a curved wall takes a bit of cutting and fitting, but produces a beautiful finish. To construct retaining wall corners using wedge-shaped blocks: Outside Corners: Most retaining wall outside corners built with wedge-shaped blocks are curved, rather than a 90° angle, since it’s impossible to make an outside corner without showing the cut (and unattractive) end of the blocks. Building curved and serpentine retaining walls is simple. Attach a string line to the stake the length of the radius and rotate it around to mark the location of the base course. Adjusting 1 or 2 of the blocks will help in the transition of the next section of the retaining wall. Place two caps on top of the wall, spaced so a third cap will fit tightly between their widest point. Place two caps on top of the wall spaced so a third cap will fit tightly between their widest point. Geogrid needs to have 100% coverage around any curve. Place two caps on top of the wall, spaced so a third cap will fit tightly between their widest point, Mark the overlap on the bottom of the center cap, Measure the distance of the gap between the 2 caps (x) at the front of the wall. Cup the cap with a saw, and place the cap on the wall. Be sure to wear appropriate safety gear, including protective eye wear, dust mask, and hearing protection when cutting, and operate power saws carefully. The cap stone is the last component added to the wall system. Before beginning construction, review the. To build smooth outside curves, remove one or both of the "wings" from the back of the blocks and tighten the radius of the curve. Using full size blocks in tight curves will create a gap between the courses. Adjusting 1 or 2 of the blocks will help in the transition of the next section of the retaining wall. The above steps work for both inside and outside radiuses. The string is the guide you will use to determine where the curves take place and how far your block is sticking out. Remove the center cap and cut along the marks. Determine the size of the area by first staking it out and then connect the stakes with the string. Read on for tips for adding topper stones to your retaining wall. It's a good idea to secure caps with a high strength construction adhesive once they are all cut. Simply slit the geogrid with a utility knife and either feather out or overlap to follow the curve. Most curves can be built with no cutting involved. Be sure to wear safety glasses when cutting, and operate power saws carefully. To transition the curve back into a straight wall or another curve, lay out the curve and the first couple blocks of the next section. Then set in place so the three fit tightly together. {{gwi:286302}} Set the cap to be cut on top of the spacer so that it overlaps above the last block cut as shown below. Lift the section of grid that overlaps and place the fill material to separate. Continue to … DIY gardening and landscaping projects are made easy with Adbri Masonry! If the radius of the curve becomes so tight that the angled edges of the blocks touch, you would have to cut the edges to a sharper angle to prevent gaps in the joints from showing. Capping a curved retaining wall takes a bit of cutting and fitting, but produces a beautiful finish. Install the blocks with the front of the blocks lining up with the mark. maybe even put a tick mark that crosses both the cap and wall so you know where the piece has to go once you mortar it. 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