In the initial project stages, VSL offers the preliminary design of the VSoL ® retained earth system with a price calculation for the clients to have a comparison with costs of walls constructed using other methods.
The reinforced soil system provides for a transfer of horizontal stresses from the soil to reinforcing elements – polymeric strips. Tensile forces are transferred from the soil to the strips through frictional interactions between soil and polymeric strip.
The construction of the VSoL ® retaining wall is standardly carried out using a well-tried procedure as follows:
- Casting of the mass concrete levelling pad.
- Erection and alignment of the first row of half and full height panels.
- Installation of joint and drainage materials.
- Fill placement and compaction up to the level of the first layer of reinforcement.
- Installation of soil reinforcement and connection to facing panels.
- Placing and compaction of additional layers of fill up to top of the half height panels.
- Installation of the second row of panels.
- Repeating previous steps until the required height of retaining wall is achieved
- Installation of copings and crash barriers at the top of the wall to suit project requirements.
One construction crew with one mobile crane can build the VSoL® retaining walls at an ordinary speed of 40m2 – 100m2/day.
The precast facing panels can be manufactured in many different shapes, colours and textures. The surface can be supplied with various relief patterns, sandblasted, with exposed aggregates, or absolutely smooth.