Landscape Geogrid

Geogrid Used in Retaining Wall Project

How To Reinforce A Retaining Wall

The best way to reinforce a segmental retaining wall is not complicated and will not set you back financially in a large way.  It does require digging, backfilling, and compaction but in comparison to the cost of building a retaining wall, you will save money. Unfortunately, many people only think about the bottom line so they don't take geogrid into consideration or whether it's a good option for their project. Instead, they will hire a contractor who does not understand the mechanics of a retaining wall or when geogrid is the best option. In the long run, it will end up costing them even more money, unnecessarily.

There are several manufacturers and different styles but geogrid is described as a woven fabric of high tensile strength that is pinned between the layers of the retaining wall and extends back into the soil that the wall is retaining to lock the block or stone wall with the soil behind it. When you choose the right geogrid retaining wall fabric for your retaining wall, the soil serves as a helper in retention making the wall far more substantial than the weight of the block or stone alone.

When Is Geogrid Required For A Retaining Wall

It all depends on the building material used for the wall and the soil being retained. In places clay soils are the most difficult, uncooperative soils on earth. They resist compaction, will hold on to moisture, and swell when dry soil makes contact with moisture. This soil is the worst to work with and most difficult to retain.

The material chosen for the retaining wall makes a big difference. The more substantial the material used, the less geogrid will be needed. Most 6” or 8” wide split-face limestone retaining walls, should use geogrid when the exposed wall exceeds 24”. For man-made retaining wall blocks, geogrid will be the chosen product for exposed wall heights of 36” to 48”. This also depends on the block size and design, whether there is a surcharge at the top of the wall, a slope at the base of the wall, and a few other factors.

If the retaining wall is over 6 feet in height, and not built from 24”+ wide limestone outcroppings or similar-sized, dense material, geogrid will be required.

To reinforce a retaining wall, geogrid is an excellent option for many different situations. Geogrid takes up the slack when you need reinforcement. You will also get many added benefits when you decide to use geogrid.  

Note: If you are going to have a gravel layer on top of your retaining wall and want to reduce maintenance then consider Gravel-Lok. The gravel glue will provide a bond around the rock while still allowing water to permeate through the rock. This way you simply run a leaf blower to clean off any debris in the gravel.

Retaining Wall diagram showing Geogrid Usage