Installation Manual #2

Geogrid Reinforced
Retaining Walls

For many Allan Block

retaining walls, the height
of the wall, the type of
soil being retained or the
physical conditions that
affect the wall area
dictate that additional
FIGURE 1
reinforcement is needed
to hold the wall in place.
The following manual describes the proper installation of a
geogrid reinforced Allan Block retaining wall.
For a more detailed explanation of geogrid design and
engineering, refer to the Allan Block Engineering Manual, or TM
see your local Allan Block Dealer.
Before beginning installation of geogrid, make sure that a
proper engineering analysis has been completed.

Don’t forget to visit our web site at Allan Block

Retaining Wall
www.airvolblock.com Systems
INSTALLATION GUIDELINES - GEOGRID REINFORCED RETAINING WALLS PG. 1

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
1. DETERMINE REINFORCEMENT REQUIREMENTS Pg. 2
Use TABLE 1 on Pg.2 or the AB Walls software program
to determine if your wall requires geogrid reinforcement.
4 2. ORDER MATERIALS Pg. 2
Calculate the AB block, base material, drain field
material and geogrid you will need.
3. EXCAVATE JOB SITE Pg. 3
Excavate the reinforced soil area to the maximum
embedment length.

5 4. EXCAVATE THE BASE TRENCH Pg. 3

Excavate the base trench at the location of the wall to the
specified depth and width.
5. INSTALL BASE MATERIAL Pg. 3
Install granular base material in the base trench and compact.
6. INSTALL BASE COURSE Pg. 3
6 Place base course of AB blocks on base material and level.
7. INSTALL DRAINAGE MATERIAL Pg. 4
Place drainage material in block cores and 6 - 12 inches
(15.2 - 30.5 cm) behind the wall.

8. BACKFILL AND COMPACT SOILS BEHIND WALL Pg. 4

Place backfill soils behind the wall. Compact drainage
material in block cores and all infill soils behind the wall.
8
9. INSTALL SECOND COURSE Pg. 4
Clean off top of base course and position second row to
obtain a minimum 3 inch (7.6 cm) offset.
10. INSTALL GEOGRID Pg. 4
Place 1st layer of geogrid as specified in construction drawings.
Place the next course of AB Blocks on top of geogrid. Fill cores
9 with gravel and pull geogrid tight to remove slack. Stake in place.
11. INSTALL ADDITIONAL COURSES Pg. 5
Repeat steps 7 through 10 up to the top of the wall.
12. ENDING AND TOPPING OFF WALLS Pg. 6

10

10 11 12
 PG. 2

STEP 1:DETERMINE IF MAXIMUM WALL HEIGHTS - AB GRAVITY WALLS

REINFORCEMENT IS REQUIRED 30 60 120
• If your wall heights are lower than those in Job Soil AB Three AB Lites AB Stones
TABLE 1, your wall does not require Site Type Phi AB Rocks AB Classic AB Original
reinforcement. Proceed with the installation Level Clay 278 2.50 ft 2.75 ft 3.25 ft
of your wall following the guidelines Above 0.8 m 0.84 m 1m
described in the AB Installation Manual #1: Wall
Silty Sand 328 3.00 ft 3.50 ft 4.50 ft
Gravity Wall Installation.
0.9 m 1.1 m 1.4 m
• If your wall heights exceed those in TABLE 1,
Sand/Gravel 368 3.50 ft 4.00 ft 5.50 ft
reinforcement will be required. A complete
1.1 m 1.2 m 1.7 m
engineering analysis by a qualified
Sur- Clay 278 1.00 ft 1.25 ft 1.50 ft
professional must be completed before charge
beginning installation. 150 psf 0.3 m 0.4 m 0.5 m
• NOTE: The following conditions also require Silty Sand 328 1.25 ft 1.50 ft 2.00 ft
a complete engineering analysis. 0.4 m 0.5 m 0.6 m
• Soft or unstable soils Sand/Gravel 368 1.50 ft 1.75 ft 2.50 ft
• Water front and shoreline sites 0.5 m 0.53 m 0.8 m
• Excessive water runoff above or below wall 3 to 1 Clay 278 1.75 ft 2.00 ft 2.25 ft
• Slopes greater than 3 to 1 above or Slope
0.53 m 0.6 m 0.7 m
below the wall
• Surcharges greater than a driveway Silty Sand 328 2.75 ft 3.00 ft 3.75 ft
• Terraces 0.84 m 0.9 m 1.14 m
Sand/Gravel 368 3.00 ft 3.50 ft 4.50 ft
STEP 2: ORDER MATERIALS 0.9 m 1.1 m 1.4 m
BLOCKS: Ordering block is easy. Follow these steps: TABLE 1
A) Length of wall 4 Length of block = Number of blocks in one row.
EXAMPLE A: AB STONES
B) Total height of wall 4 Height of block = Number of rows in wall.
Wall Length =100 ft. (30.5 m)
C) Number of blocks per row x Number of rows in wall = Total blocks. Total Wall Height = 8 ft. (2.4 m)
• Convert all dimensions to feet (meters) before calculating.
A) 100 ft. (30.48 m) wall 41.3 ft./unit (0.39 m) = 77 units
• Calculate total wall height: add buried block + above grade wall height B) 8 ft. (2.4 m) high wall 4 0.55 ft./unit (0.17 m) = 15 courses
(1 in (2.5 cm) of buried block for each 1 ft. (0.3 m) of wall height). C) 77 units x 15 courses = 1155 AB STONES
• See your local Allan Block dealer for exact block dimensions.
BASE AND DRAIN FIELD: Allan Block recommends using the same material for the base, the drain field and within the block
cores, a well-graded (balanced mix of grain sizes) compactible aggregate, 0.25 in. to 1.5 in. (0.64 cm to 3.8 cm) diameter. Check
your local aggregate sources for availability.
Calculate Materials
A) BASE: The typical base for a geogrid reinforced retaining wall is 2 ft. (0.6 m) wide 12 in.
(30.5 cm) Infill
x 0.5 ft. (0.15 m) high. To find the amount of base material needed: Soils
• Calculate the quantity in cubic feet (cubic meters):
Width of base 2 ft. (0.6 m) x Height of base 0.5 ft. (0.15 m) x Length of wall Wall
= cubic feet (cubic meters). Length
B) DRAIN FIELD: The Drain Field includes the material in the block cores plus a 6 - 12 in. Drain
(15.2 - 30.5 cm) layer behind the blocks. A simple way to calculate this material in Field Wall
cubic feet (cubic meters) is: • Wall height x Wall length x 1.2 ft ( 0.36 m) = cubic feet (cubic Height
meters).
C) Convert cubic ft. (cubic meters) to tons by multiplying cubic ft. (cubic meters) x 120 lbs/ft.3 (1,923 kg/m )
3

4 2000 lbs /ton (907 kg/ton) = Tons in drain field.

• Add Base and Drain Field to find total tons of granular material needed. 24 in. 6 in. (15.2 cm)
(61 cm) Base Base Height
EXAMPLE B: • Wall Length =100 ft. (30.48 m) • Wall Height = 8 ft. (2.4 m) Width
• Grid Length = 4 ft. (1.2 m). FIGURE 2
A) BASE: 2 ft. (0.6 m) x 0.5 ft. (0.15 m) x 100 ft. (30.48 m) x 120 lbs/ft. (1,923 kg/m ) 4 2000 lbs/ton (907 kg/ton) = 6 tons.
3 3

B) DRAIN FIELD: 8 ft. (2.4 m) x 100 ft. (30.48 m) x 1.2 ft (0.36 m) x 120 lbs/ft.3 (1,923 kg/m3) 4 2000 lbs/ton (907 kg/ton) = 57.6 tons.
C) Add 6 tons in base + 57.6 tons in drain field = 63.6 tons of granular material.
D) INFILL SOILS in REINFORCED SOIL MASS: Subtract the block Depth, 1 ft (0.3 m), and Drain Field Depth, 1 ft (0.3 m), from
total geogrid embedment length, 4 ft (1.2 m), to determine depth of infill material in the Reinforced Soil Mass, 2 ft (0.6 m). Multiply
times wall height (8ft./2.4 m) and wall length (100 ft./30.48 m), then convert to cubic tons.
INFILL SOILS: 2 ft. (0.6 m) x 8 ft. (2.4 m) x 100 ft. (30.48 m) x 120 lbs/ft.3 (1,923 kg/m3) 4 2000 lbs/ton (907 kg/ton) = 96 tons.
 INSTALLATION GUIDELINES - GEOGRID REINFORCED RETAINING WALLS PG. 3

STEP 2 (Continued): ORDER GEOGRID Start Wall At Lowest Elevation

• Contact your local geogrid supplier or Allan Block produc-
er for geogrid specifications and assistance in ordering
geogrid materials.

STEP 3: PREPARE THE SITE

• Excavate the reinforced soil area to the maximum embed- Sloping Grade
ment length (Figure 1, front cover). Stepped Base Start Here FIGURE 3
• Plant materials should not be used as backfill.

STEP 4: EXCAVATE BASE TRENCH Excavate The Base Trench

• Excavate base trench at the wall location. Make sure the
trench is level and to the proper depth (Figure 4).
• WIDTH: Minimum 24 inches (61 cm) wide.
• DEPTH: 6 inch (15.2 cm) + 1 inch (2.5 cm) for each foot (0.3 m) Base Trench
of wall height.
Buried Block:
STEP-UPS: Walls built on a sloping grade will require a 1 in.(2.5 cm) For
stepped base (Figure 3). Every 1 ft.(0.3 m)
Of Wall Height
• Begin excavation at the lowest point and dig a level trench
into the slope until it is deep enough to accommodate the 6 6 in. (15.2 cm) Base
Material
inch (15.2 cm) base material and one entire block.
24 in.
• At this point step up the height of one block, and begin a (61 cm) FIGURE 4
new section of base trench.
• Continue to step up as needed to the top of the slope.
Compact Base Material
STEP 5: INSTALL BASE MATERIAL
BASE MATERIAL: Any clean, compactible granular material
with a balanced mix of grain sizes 0.25 - 1.5 inch (0.64 cm to
3.8 cm) diameter.

INSTALLATION:
• Place 6 inches (15.2 cm) of Base Material in the base trench
and rake smooth.
Base
• Compact with a mechanical plate compactor (Figure 5).
Material
• Check the entire length for level and adjust as needed.
• After leveling and compaction is complete, a thin layer of
sand (less than 0.5 inch (1.3 cm)) may be placed on top of
Base Material to make leveling the base row of blocks easier. FIGURE 5

STEP 6: INSTALL BASE COURSE

• Begin at the lowest wall elevation (Figure 3). Install Base Course
• Place all units top side up on the Base Material with the
Level Each Block
raised front lip facing forward to the front of wall.
Side-To-Side And
• Check and adjust the level and alignment of all AB units. Front-To-Back
Check frequently for level side-to-side and front-to-back.
Verify the proper position of all Allan Block units by Use A 4 ft Level
examining a straight line across the back of the blocks or Or Line Level To
the back of the lips (Figure 6). Check The Entire
Base Course
• Make minor adjustments by tapping the AB units with a
rubber mallet or by placing small amounts of coarse sand
under the units. Position String
• Irregularities in the Base Course become larger as the wall Line At The Back
Of AB Units FIGURE 6
stacks up. Careful attention to a straight and level Base
Course will ensure a quality finished wall.
 PG.4

STEP 7: INSTALL DRAINAGE MATERIAL Compact Drainage Material

• Fill the Allan Block hollow cores and the 6 - 12 inch (15.2 - 30.5 cm)
Drain Field behind the wall with Drainage Material.
• Proper placement of Drainage Material serves three important
purposes. First, this material between units and adjoining
courses creates a positive interlock between the block and the
geogrid. Second, it increases the overall weight of each Allan
Block unit, increasing structural stability. Finally, it permits the
Fill Drainage
release of hydrostatic pressures from behind the wall. Material In Blocks
And 6 - 12 in.
STEP 8: BACKFILL AND COMPACT (15.2 - 30.5 cm)
Compaction of the material behind the wall is critical for a quality Behind Wall
wall installation.
• Use on-site soils to backfill behind the drain field and in front of FIGURE 7
the base course.
• Use a plate compactor to compact the aggregate in the block
Compact Backfill Material
cores and lock the base course in place. The first pass of the
plate compactor should be directly over the top of the block
cores (Figure 7).
• After running the plate compactor on top of the Base Course and
Drain Field, compact the Backfill Material immediately behind
the wall. Compact in a path parallel to the wall, working from
the front of the wall to the back of the Backfill Material (Figure 8).
• Check the Base Course for level and adjust as necessary.
STEP 9: INSTALL SECOND COURSE
This example assumes 1st layer of geogrid is between 2nd and
3rd courses. Refer to your job-specific plans for exact location.
• Remove all excess drainage material and slag from the top 8 in. lifts
surface of all AB units. This prepares a smooth surface for (20.3 cm)
placement of the next course of Allan Block units (Figure 8).
• Stack the next row of block with the seams offset from the blocks
below. Maintain a 3 inch (7.6 cm) minimum offset.
• Pull blocks tight against the front lip of units below.
FIGURE 8
• Sight down the wall line to check for a straight wall. Blocks may
be adjusted to form straight lines and smooth curves.
• Check for level before installing Drainage and Backfill Materials. Install 1st Layer of Geogrid
Adjust as necessary. It is acceptable to shim under blocks to
compensate for a build up of tolerances or an out of level base. Remove
Asphalt shingles or geogrid fabric are good shims. The maximum Slack
allowable shim thickness per course is 1/8 in. (3.2 mm). And
Stake In
• Repeat steps 7 & 8, installing Drainage and Backfill Material Place
and compacting parallel to the wall face from front to back.
STEP 10: INSTALL 1ST LAYER OF GEOGRID
• Cut sections of geogrid to specified lengths.
Check manufacturer’s grid specifications for
strength or machine direction of the geogrid.
• Place geogrid behind the Allan Block lip with the FIGURE 9
machine direction extending back into the slope.
• Place next course of block on top of the geogrid.
• Pull on the back of the grid to remove any slack. 0%
30 10
Stake in place before installing Drainage and %

Backfill Material (Figure 9).

 INSTALLATION GUIDELINES - GEOGRID REINFORCED RETAINING WALLS PG. 5

STEP 10: BACKFILL AND COMPACT Backfill And Compact

• All drainage material in the Drain Field and infill soils within 3 feet
(0.9 m) of the wall must be properly compacted using a walk-
behind plate compactor. Compact in maximum 8 inch
(20.3 cm) lifts, starting on the wall and working in a path that
runs parallel to the wall towards the back of the reinforced zone
(Figure 8).
• All infill soils in the reinforced soil mass must be compacted to a
minimum 95% Standard Proctor (95% of the soil’s maximum
density). This can be accomplished with a mechanical plate
compactor or ride-on mechanical compaction equipment.
• Never operate compacting equipment directly on geogrid. Place
the next 8 inch (20.3 cm) lift of soil on top of the grid and then
compact.
FIGURE 10
• All heavy equipment must be kept at least 3 feet (0.9 m)
from the back of the wall. Wall designs typically do not
account for surcharges from heavy compaction equipment. Even Install Additional Courses
a properly installed and compacted wall will rotate forward when
extreme surcharges from heavy compaction equipment are
applied to the top of the wall during final grading. Use a walk
behind plate compactor on top of block and within 3 feet (0.9 m) of
the wall (Figure 12).
• NOTE: There is a natural tendency for all segmental concrete
block walls to rotate forward during compaction. For walls that
require a precise setback, a slight backward inclination of the
base will compensate for rotation during compaction.
• Verify your AB Setback Chart
setback during Setback Wall Height
construction 4 ft 6 ft 8 ft 10 ft
using a story pole FIGURE 11
1.2 m 1.8 m 4m 3.0 m
(Figure 16) and
TABLE 2. Advise 2.5in 3.75in 5.0in 6.25in
388 Backfill And Compact Each 8 in. (20.3 cm) Lift
project owners 6.4 cm 9.5 cm 12.7 cm 15.9 cm
that construction 5.0in 7.50in 10in 12.5in
688
tolerances of plus 12.7 cm 19.1 cm 25.4 cm 31.8 cm
or minus 1 10in 15.0in 20in 25.0in
degree from 1288
25.4 cm 38.1cm 50.8 cm 63.5 cm
nominal is
acceptable and TABLE 2
expected.

STEP 11: INSTALL ADDITIONAL COURSES

• Repeat step 7, 8, 9 and 10.
• Each lift of Drainage and Backfill Material should be installed in
the same manner. Compact in lifts of 8 inches (20.3 cm) or
less, the height of one AB unit (Figure 8 and 10).
• Check block for level after compacting each lift. FIGURE 12

WHY IS PROPER COMPACTION IMPORTANT?

Infill soils are compacted during retaining wall construction to ensure maximum soil shear strength and
stiffness. Insufficient compaction can lead to reduced shear strength and soils that settle over time.
Over compaction may lead to excess surcharge loading and cause the wall to rotate forward.
 PG. 6
Keep Water Away From Infill Zone
STEP 12: ENDING AND TOPPING WALLS
Allan Block’s patented raised front lip provides a built-in edging
for landscape rock, mulch, grass, soil or AB Capstones (Figure
13). Walls with step downs can be easily finished by turning the
ends back into the hillside.
Drainage
Ending And Topping Off Walls Swale

FIGURE 13

GRADING AND WATER MANAGEMENT

• Grade backfill to ensure that water drainage from the entire FIGURE 14
site flows away from the wall. A drainage swale can also be
incorporated above the wall to route water away from the top Final Grading And Topping Off The Wall
of the wall (Figure 14).
• Erosion at the end of a wall can be prevented by rolling the
end of the wall into the bank (Figure 15). As a general
rule, bury 2 feet (0.6 m) of block into the hillside to prevent
potential problems.
• For projects where excessive water runoff above the wall is a
factor (parking lots, roof drains) the top of the wall must be fin-
ished off to prevent the penetration of water. To ensure that
water runoff from above the retaining wall does not saturate
the soil behind it, a 6 inch (15.2 cm) layer of impermeable fill
should be placed on top of the entire runoff area.
• Install a drain pipe at the bottom of the reinforced soil mass
and vent away from wall to remove excess water. Sites with
drainage problems may require a chimney drain at the back
of the reinforced zone (Figure 16).

Verify
Setback

0
0 FIGURE 15
FIGURE 16

WHY IS PROPER DRAINAGE IMPORTANT?

Water runoff that is allowed to accumulate at the top of a retaining wall can saturate the soil behind the
wall, causing excessive hydrostatic pressure and ultimately wall failure. Proper drainage is essential for the
long term stability of the reinforced soil mass and the retaining wall.
 INSTALLATION GUIDELINES - GEOGRID REINFORCED RETAINING WALLS

CONSTRUCTION NOTES
SAFETY FIRST: Always wear safety goggles and a dust mask when cutting blocks.
GRANULAR BASE AND BACKFILL MATERIAL: Allan Block recommends using the same material for the base, the drain field within
the block cores and 6 - 12 inches (15.2 - 30.5 cm) behind the wall. We recommend a well draining compactible aggregate, ranging
in size from 0.25 inch to 1.5 inch (0.64 cm to 3.8 cm) diameter. See your local aggregate sources for availability.
COMPACTION: Use a plate compactor to compact material in 8 inch (20.3 cm) lifts. Run the plate compactor on the top of the wall
first to lock the blocks in position.
INFORMATION: For more information, see your local Allan Block Representative or call 1-612-835-5309.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
BACKFILL - The soil that is placed behind the wall and compacted.
BASE COURSE - The first course to be installed. It may be totally or partially buried.
BASE MATERIAL - A base pad of free draining granular material, compacted and level to receive the base course of AB units.
Allan Block recommends a well-graded compactible aggregate, 0.25 in. - 1.5 in. (0.64 cm to 3.8 cm) diameter, with less than 10% fines.
BURIED BLOCK - The block below grade.
DRAINAGE MATERIAL - Free draining granular material used in the block cores and just behind the wall to collect and disperse
water. This can be the same material as used for Base Material.
EXPOSED WALL FACE - The portion of the retaining wall that is above grade.
EMBEDMENT LENGTH - The total length of geogrid, from the back of the AB lip to the back of the reinforced soil mass.
GEOGRID - Flexible synthetic mats or meshes used to stabilize large areas of soil.
MACHINE DIRECTION - The strongest direction of a geogrid.
MECHANICAL PLATE COMPACTOR - Mechanical equipment used for compacting soils (available at most rental centers).
HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE - Pressure resulting from the buildup of water behind the wall.
RETAINED SOIL - The soil that is held back by the Reinforced Soil Mass.
REINFORCED WALLS - Walls reinforced with geosynthetics or other mechanical anchoring devices.
REINFORCED SOIL MASS - The area behind a wall that includes geogrid and the infill soils.
SETBACK - The angular slant of the wall from a vertical plane.
SURCHARGE - An extra load on the retaining wall in addition to the pressure from the retained soil.
The information and product applications illustrated in this manual have been
carefully compiled by the
Allan Block Corporation, and to the best of our knowledge accurately represent
TM
Allan Block product use. MANUFACTURED BY:
Final determination of the suitability of any information or material for the use
contemplated and its manner of use is the sole responsibility of the user. Air Vol Block, Inc.
Structural design analysis shall be performed by a qualified engineer. P.O. Box 931
Published by the Allan Block Corporation • © 1998 #1 Suburban Road
P.O. Box 390288, Edina, MN 55439 • 612-835-5309
Fax 612-835-0013 • Fax-On-Demand 612-835-1003 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
Pat. #4,909,010 and #5,484,236 • Canadian Pat. #
2,012,286 • Taiwan Pat. # NI-090824 • Australian
Phone: 805-543-1314 Allan Block
Pat.# 133,306 & 682,394 • Int’l and Other Patents Fax: 805-543-0848 Retaining Wall
Pending • ICBO # 5087 • Internet www.allanblock.com Systems