Retainer Stem Wall

tkle

Engineer is calling for a 2' concrete stem wall 8" wide at the base of an 8' cmu retaining wall. We generally use 12's at the bottom as per most details. Is there a reason for the stem wall?

Chris Johnson

Soil conditions, Frost conditions, to lock it in so it doesn't have the leaning effect in short order.

__________________
Chris

concretemasonry

You did not get paid for designing it, so just build according to the plans and specs. - We can't see it from where we are and don't know the conditions.

Retaining walls (especially rigid walls) are probably the most difficult thing to engineer, get built right and last as long as everyone expects. It sounds a little strange, but I can't really understand

I am sure you do not want the liability for the design, especially since you probably do not have insurance coverage the designer has to carry.

__________________
Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

tkle

I ain't changing nothing without an engineer stamp. I've only seen this detail a few times and wondered about it. I have considered consulting the engineer but would like to know a few reasons behind the design first.

Tscarborough

Since he has designed an 8' retaining wall built with CMU, it is probably based upon ignorance, but as stated, that ain't your problem.

__________________
It ain't Rocket Science unless you are building rockets.

tkle

I hear you about the ignorance. However my clients problems are always my problem

Tscarborough

I agree, and always argue for SRW for retaining walls, even though my primary business is CMU.

__________________
It ain't Rocket Science unless you are building rockets.