Technical Resource Guide_WEB_BEL25-D-516650 - Page 49 of 84

49 | belgard ® product installation guide | belgard.com | 877-235-4273 REINFORCED BACKFILL PLACEMENT AND COMPACTION (PER PLAN) • Place reinforced backfill in 6 to 8 inch loose lifts and compact to the densities specified on the approved wall construction plans. See Diagram 9. • Only hand-operated compaction equipment is allowed within 3 feet of the back of the wall. • If the compaction equipment is too small to achieve the required compaction, thinner lifts should be used. • Install each subsequent course in a similar manner. Repeat procedure to the extent of the wall height. Diagram 7—Stepping up the base Retaining Wall Installation Best Practices Diagram 8—Daylight STEPPING UP THE BASE • Walls built on a sloping grade require a stepped base. • Begin excavation at the lowest point and dig a level trench into the slope until it is deep enough to accommodate the base material and one entire block. • At this point, step up the height of one block and begin a new section of base trench. Continue to step-up as needed to top of slope. Always bury at least one full unit at each step. See Diagram 7. DRAINAGE (PER PLAN) • Each project is unique. The grades on the site will determine at what level to install the drainpipe. Place the drainpipe (4-inch perforated piping) so water drains down and away from the wall into a storm drain, or daylight just above grade. See Diagram 8. • Fill in the area behind the blocks with clean drainage aggregate, at least 1 foot from the wall. You may need to place and backfill several courses to achieve the proper drainage level. • The outlet pipes should be spaced not more than every 50 feet and at low points of the wall. In order for the drainage aggregate to function properly, it must keep clear of regular soil fill. Diagram 9—Compaction Remove portion of adjacent unit to allow drain tile through face 4" tee 4" diameter drain tile Daylight drain through toe slope