The retaining wall continues
Some heavier engineering is required to build the mail retaining wall structure.
This week the steel reinforcing cage was made on-site, which will be used to strengthen the footing for the main retaining wall. It was then manoeuvered into the trench, using the JCB, into the deepest-dug length of trench along the public footpath and covered with concrete which was delivered to site.
Apparently this particular concrete is made specially, in accordance with the structural engineer's specifications, to withstand the forces being placed upon it by the soil it's designed to hold back. It has to be delivered to site by a concrete manufacturer and poured in one hit. This ensures it sets altogether in one go, around the steel cage, to make it as strong as possible.
However, as you can see from the photos, we had a small collapse from the footpath, after some heavy rain overnight. Hopefully the steel bars haven't been damaged and the concrete had had a chance to set nicely before being impacted by the soil.
You can also see in the photos, the three courses of blue engineering bricks. These will be partially on show above the landscaping, which will run between the garden path and retaining wall, once everything is finished. I really like the look of these bricks - the colour and the smooth texture - and will offer a nice contrast between the white render, the green shrubs & grass and the paving materials.
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