--- title: "How To Build A Reinforced Retaining Wall Using Geogrid?" date: 2021-08-29 author: "Pawan Khatri" url: https://oceangeosynthetics.com/how-to-build-a-reinforced-retaining-wall-using-geogrid/ --- August 29, 2021 | [Geogrids](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/category/geogrids/), [Insights](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/category/insights/) # How To Build A Reinforced Retaining Wall Using Geogrid? [Geogrids](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/products/geogrid-manufacturers/) are flexible polymer meshes used for slope stabilisation and earth retention. They come in a wide range of materials, aperture sizes and strengths, and are delivered from the factory in rolls. They are made from high-tensile polymers: polypropylene or HDPE sheets that are punched and stretched into a grid, or polyester yarns knitted or woven into a grid and coated for protection. The coating, usually PVC or bitumen on polyester grids, protects the yarns during installation and over the life of the wall. In a retaining wall, geogrid layers tie the soil behind the wall into the structure, so the soil that would otherwise push the wall downhill becomes part of the wall. Technically, it is a simple way of mechanically stabilising earth. ![](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2-2-142x300.jpg) Geogrid has high tensile strength. Laid between layers of compacted fill, it lends that strength to the soil, much as reinforcing steel does in concrete. The geogrid is connected directly to the wall facing. The weight of the compacted fill on top holds the geogrid in place, so it anchors the facing units of the wall it is connected to. Geogrid is laid horizontally, with its strong (roll) direction running perpendicular to the wall face, back into the slope, because that is the direction the soil pulls in. This MSE (mechanically stabilised earth) method works in a wide range of settings, but each wall has to be designed for the site’s soil, water and loading conditions. ## How Does Geogrid Work? Geogrid reinforcement is needed when the weight of the wall units alone cannot resist the push of the unstable wedge of soil behind the wall, plus any load on top of it. Horizontal layers of geogrid give the soil tensile strength and bind it into a single reinforced block. That block becomes part of the retaining wall, making the structure wider and heavier so it can resist the pressure from behind. The taller the wall, the longer the geogrid layers must be to enlarge the reinforced block. Taller walls also need more layers of geogrid, and stronger grades, to hold the reinforced mass together and connect it securely to the facing units. As a rule of thumb, segmental walls taller than about a metre, or walls carrying a driveway, building or slope above, should be designed by a geotechnical engineer, who sets the geogrid grade, length and spacing. **Geogrid can be applied in two different ways:** a) In a masonry retaining wall, as a large, extended “deadman” anchor: the weight of the soil on the geogrid gives the wall its stability and holds the stone or block facing in place. b) Without any vertical wall at all. Built into a sloped landscape, geogrid turns the compacted soil and slope surface into its own retaining structure, finished with grass, trees and shrubs. No vertical or near-vertical wall is needed. Once the design is fixed, the build follows a set sequence. Our [site guide to installing retaining wall geogrid](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/how-do-you-install-geogrid-on-a-retaining-wall/) covers which way the grid faces, fill lift thickness and when a roller can go over it. ## Incorporating geogrid into a masonry retaining wall Geogrid is usually laid between courses of block or stone. The steps: Excavate and level the footing area and build the wall’s footing. On flexible clay, in areas with severe frost or very wet conditions, a proper reinforced concrete footing may be needed for a masonry wall. Where a dry block wall on a crushed-stone base would be acceptable, a 12-inch layer of coarse crushed rock can give adequate support. Strip the topsoil from the slope above and stockpile it. Depending on how many layers of geogrid will be installed, remove 8″ or more of subsoil. Stockpile the subsoil and grade the rest of the slope to the required angle. Lay the first course of masonry blocks on the footing or crushed-rock base. Lay perforated drain pipe (weeping tile) behind the blocks on the uphill side, holes facing down, and cover it with crushed rock. Fill the block cores with crushed rock if the specification calls for it. The first geogrid layer can go on top of the first course or, as in this example, on top of the second. Lay the second course of blocks, staggering the joints. Backfill behind the second course with free-draining granular material such as gravel or crushed rock. Keep a 12-inch (one-foot) zone of free-draining material directly behind the blocks. Blend the granular zone into the subsoil behind it and compact everything with a plate compactor. Roll the geogrid out perpendicular to the wall, laid on top of the masonry course and pulled taut. Extend it as far back into the slope as the design requires, especially if the slope is steep. Lay adjacent rolls side by side; where sheets need to overlap, overlap them 6 inches or as the manufacturer instructs. Spread subsoil over the geogrid in lifts of no more than 8 inches and compact each lift with the plate compactor across the full width of the slope. Place the next masonry course on top of the geogrid and backfill it with granular fill. Roll out the next geogrid layer and tie it into the wall in the same way. Cover it with 8″ of fill and compact it. For taller walls and harder conditions, repeat the sequence with more geogrid layers, compacting each lift of fill over the grid. Bring in more fill if needed and trim the final grade to the design slope. To prevent surface erosion, replace the topsoil, grade and smooth it, and establish grass or turf and shrubs as soon as possible. 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