Design Guide for

Retaining Walls
MassBloc
(less than 3m high)

Version 1.0
May 2002

CSP Pacific www.csppacific.co.nz Ph 0800 655 200 Version 1.0 May 2002
 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

Table of Contents

No. Section Page

1. General 2

2. Applications 3
3. Advantages 4

4. Design Approach 5
5. Technical Specifications 7

6. Installation Guide 10
7. Standard Design Guide 12

8. Supply Information 16

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

1.0 General

These notes have been compiled to aid in the design of MassBloc TM retaining walls. The standard
design tables presented in this guide shall be only used for preliminary design of walls LESS
THAN 3m high ( 3 standard blocks high ). All walls shall require detailed investigation and specific
design by a suitably qualified Engineer.

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

2.0 Applications

MassBloc TM can be used in a variety of situations with the flexibility of a number of different design
solutions available, which allows them to be applied to difficult sites.

Retaining walls
Facing for bridge abutments
Stream channelisation and erosion protection
Coastal protection (beach front erosion protection)
Tunnel entrance walls
Culvert wing walls
Slip repairs
Temporary traffic parking barriers
Temporary bin storage

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

3.0 Advantages

Performance: MassBlocs are relatively flexible structures that are typically based on a
compacted aggregate foundation. As wall construction is mortarless this dry stacked system can
tolerate movement and settlement without causing visual distress at the face.

Permeability: MassBlocs are highly permeable. This permeability can be supplemented by

draincoil, which will further reduce the development of hydrostatic pressure behind the blocks.

Durability: MassBlocs are manufactured from wet-cast concrete that results in a durable
retaining wall system. The blocks are resistant to cracking and do not rust or deform like gabions.

Speedy Installation: Two experienced workers and an excavator can place up to 70m of wall
per day. Blocks are placed using the galvanised lifting eye, which is cast into the top of each block.

Ecologically Friendly: MassBlocs are an ecologically safe building component. The blocks
are manufactured from naturally occurring materials that are in abundant supply and are extracted
with minimal environmental impact. MassBlocs are eco-friendly!

Economics: MassBlocs are competitively priced and when all project costs are measured and
compared against the speed of installation, durability and in-situ performance they represent
excellent value for the construction dollars invested.

No other system can beat MassBlocs in terms of speedy installation, durability and in-site
performance.

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

4.0 Design Approach

MassBlocsTM are essentially a gravity wall structure that depends on the mass of the blocks to
resist the destabilising forces due to the retained soil and surcharge loadings. As with all gravity
type wall structures, there are three modes of failure by which a wall can fail. All three require
careful analysis to ensure both safety and performance of the wall is maintained for the design life
of the structure.

4.1 External Stability

The three modes for which gravity retaining walls must be designed to ensure external stability are:

Overturning: the wall fails by rotating about the toe of the wall
Sliding: outward movement of the wall along its base
Bearing Capacity: failure of the foundations causing the wall to lean over

To guard against any of these failure modes occurring, the common practice is to design the wall
with a predetermined factor of safety designed in. These predetermined factors of safety are
outlined below and are consistent with currently accepted design practice.

Failure Mode Recommended Minimum Factor of Safety

Overturning 2.0
Sliding 1.5
Bearing Capacity 2.0

As for all structures, the degree of uncertainty over design parameters - and the consequences of
the structure failing - dictate the level of safety required. For the designs contained in this
document, the factors of safety are defined above. In situations where the structure is to become a
critical structure, where failure would cause significant property damage or even loss of life, then
we recommend that higher safety factors be used. It is recommended that a suitably qualified
geotechnical engineer undertake a detailed soils investigation.

4.2 Internal Stability

When considering the reinforced earth retaining wall utilising geogrid the number and layout must
also be determined to ensure that the reinforced fill does not fail internally. Two modes of failure
have been checked and allowed for in the design charts.

Pull out failure: the geogrid pulls out of the soil without rupture
Tensile rupture of the geogrid: the geogrid is stressed beyond its allowable tensile limit.

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

To guard against any of these failure modes occurring, the common practice is to design the wall
with a predetermined factor of safety designed in. These predetermined factors of safety are
outlined below and are consistent with currently accepted design practice.

Failure Mode Recommended Minimum Factor of Safety

Pull out failure 1.5
Tensile rupture of the geogrid 1.3

All Geo-grid shown in the design cross sections is Tensar SR 80 and the designs are based
exclusively for this type of grid and granular backfill (2mm 20m).

The spacing and number of layers shown in the design guide are only applicable to design
parameters shown. The design solutions are only to be used as a guide and where the parameters
vary a suitably qualified engineer should be engaged to ensure that the appropriate design solution
is chosen.

As for all structures the degree of uncertainty over design parameters and the consequences of
the structure failing dictate the level of safety required. For the designs contained in this document
the factors of safety are defined above. In situations where the structure is to become a critical
structure, where failure would cause significant property damage or even loss of life, then we
recommend that higher safety factors be used.

4.3 Drainage Considerations

MassBlocsTM are constructed from a no fines concrete mix that allows water to easily permeate
through the blocks. This effectively allows the wall to drain naturally. Filter fabric and drain coil are
also included to ensure that no hydrostatic pore pressure is able to accumulate and destabilise the
wall. This is more of a precautionary measure and included as part of good design practice.

4.4 Seismic Considerations

MassBloc TM walls are designed to be relatively flexible and can undergo small changes in line and
level without adversely affecting their structural integrity. The effects of seismic conditions on 3m
high or less walls are minimal and have not been allowed for in this manual. If a situation arises
where additional seismic forces need to be allowed for, it is recommended that a suitably qualified
structural engineer be engaged to carry out the seismic analysis.

4.5 Global Stability

MassBloc TM walls must also be analysed for global stability. This shall be undertaken by a suitably
qualified geotechnical engineer. They must consider potential failure surfaces passing through the
backfill and foundation soils.

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

5.0 Technical Specifications

Base Unit Dimensions

Face width 1185mm
Vertical height of front face 1000mm
Vertical height of rear face 1000mm
Depth of unit 880mm
Block weight 1.7 tonne

Standard Unit Dimensions

Face width 1185mm
Vertical height of front face 1000mm
Vertical height of rear face 1150mm
Depth of unit 880mm
Block weight 1.8 tonne
For design flexibility, blocks of varying heights and width may be ordered (note: maximum height is
1000mm and maximum width is 1185mm)

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

CSP Pacific www.csppacific.co.nz Ph 0800 655 200 Page 9

 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

6.0 Installation Guide

Note: This information is provided as a guide only. The registered engineer's design details shall
take precedence if there is any conflict or ambiguity with this information.

Step One

Excavate the base to the required depth

This will be site dependent - generally 1200mm wide and 200mm deep

Step Two

Place GAP65 (or equivalent) into trench then compact to engineers requirements (100kpa as a
basic guide)
Use a laser level for the best result
Place a layer of binding material (e.g. GAP7 on sand) up to 20mm thick over the entire
foundation
Use a screed to achieve a perfect level front to back and end to end

Step Three

Set string line or conduit approximately 10mm from the front of the MassBloc wall
Blocks can be placed onto the base using an excavator with a certified chain and 2.5t swift lift
Should the work area be within reach of the hiab, blocks can be delivered and placed directly
from the truck
Care must be taken so that the block is not damaged when unloading or placing

Step Four

Lower the MassBloc base unit approximately 30mm from the prepared base and move the
unit slowly into position and then lower fully
Each consecutive block is lowered 30mm from base keeping 20mm away from previously
placed block

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

Once the front face is positioned correctly, slowly move the block to touch the adjoining block
Using a spirit level, check that each block is level

Step Five

Once the base is level front to back and side to side, standard blocks can be placed on top

Step Six

Back filling - the engineer's details will provide the required method.

Options include:

Firth no fines concrete mix (Flowable Fill)

Reid Bars
Manta Rays
Geogrids between each unit

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

7.0 Standard Design Guide

GRAVITY WALL / LEVEL BACKFILL / VEHICLE SURCHARGE

Massbloc Gravity Retaining Wall With Additional Concrete Mass

For a Vehicle Surcharge of 12kPa
g
= 20kN/m 3 C = 0 F = 30 0
Retaining wall Vehicle Surcharge
height, H 12kPa
1.0 None
2.0 None
2.5 0.25
3.0 0.6

Note: Concrete placed behind the wall is to be 1.0m high

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

GRAVITY WALL / SLOPING BACKFILL / NO SURCHARGE

Massbloc Gravity Retaining Wall With Additional Concrete Mass

For Various Backfill Slopes
g
= 20kN/m 3 C = 0 F = 30 0
Retaining wall Backfill slope in degrees
height, H 0 10 15 20 25
W = Width of concrete required from back of blocks
1.0 None None None None None
2.0 None None None None None
2.5 None 0.1 0.15 0.25 0.4
3.0 0.35 0.45 0.55 0.65 0.85

Note: Concrete placed behind the wall is to be 1.0m high

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

REINFORCED EARTH WALL / SLOPING BACKFILL / NO SURCHARGE

For Various Backfill Slopes

g 3 F 0
= 20kN/m C = 0 = 30
Retaining wall Backfill slope Number Geogrid Placement
height, H in degrees of Layers Length = L above base (m)
0 None None None
10 None None None
1m 15 None None None
20 None None None
25 None None None
0 None None None
10 None None None
2m 15 None None None
20 None None None
25 None None None
0 2 1.9m 2m, 1m
10 2 1.9m 2m, 1m
2.5m 15 2 1.9m 2m, 1m
20 2 1.9m 2m, 1m
25 3 1.9m 2m, 1.5m, 1m
0 2 2.3m 2m, 1m
10 3 2.3m 2.5m, 2m, 1m
3m 15 3 2.3m 2.5m, 2m, 1m
20 3 2.3m 2.5m, 2m, 1m
25 3 2.3m 2.5m, 2m, 1m

Note: Geogrid to be Tensar SR 80 and backfill to be granular fill, 2mm - 20mm.

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

REINFORCED EARTH WALL / LEVEL BACKFILL / VEHICLE SURCHARGE

Massbloc Reinforced Earth Retaining Wall With Tensar SR80 Geogrid

For a Vehicle Surcharge of 12kPa
g 3 F 0
= 20kN/m C = 0 = 30
Retaining wall Vehicle Number Geogrid Placement
height, H surcharge of Layers Length (m) above base (m)
1m 12kPa None None None
2m 12kPa 2 1.5 1.5m, 1.0m
2.5m 12kPa 3 1.9m 2.0m, 1.5m, 1.0m
3m 12kPa 3 2.3m 2.5m, 2m, 1m

Note: Geogrid to be Tensar SR 80 and backfill to be granular fill, 2mm - 20mm.

NOTES:

1. All designs have been based on conservative design parameters and therefore should only be
used for preliminary design. A suitably qualified Engineer should be engaged to assess site
specific design parameters and produce the final design.
2. Concrete placed behind the wall is to be no fines Masstec mix. The designer shall allow for the
hydrostatic pressure of the wet concrete during construction.
3. All Geo-grid shown in the design cross sections is Tensar SR 80 and the designs are based
exclusively for this type of grid and granular backfill (2mm 20m)
4. No allowance for seismic loadings, global stability or hydrostatic pressure has been allowed
for.

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 Design Guide for
MassBloc Retaining Walls
(less than 3m high)

8.0 Supply Information

Made locally, manufactured nationally by approved suppliers. Blocks are stocked at various
locations around New Zealand in small quantities. There is a lead time to manufacture larger
quantities of blocks. Lead times will vary depending on the number of MassBlocs required and
the demand from the market. Contact CSP Pacific for more information.

CSP Pacific
Ph 0800 655 200

or your local CSP Pacific Sales Engineers (see our website for details : www.csppacific.c om )

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