Method Statement: Construction of a Monolithic Reinforced Concrete Retaining Wall
Materials
- Concrete mix class C12/15 - C15/20 (equivalent to B15), W6, F100
- Deformed reinforcing steel Ø10 mm (class 400/500 MPa)
- Electrodes for manual arc welding Ø4.0 mm
- Edged softwood lumber (thickness 15 and 25 mm)
- Reinforced LDPE polyethylene film (width 2000 mm, 200 µm)
- Non-woven synthetic geotextile (density 450 g/m2)
- Crushed granite stone, fraction 20-40 mm (strength grade M800)
- Building sand (fineness modulus as per design)
Equipment
- Backhoe loader (bucket volume 0.28 m3, digging depth up to 5.46 m)
- Dump truck (load capacity 13.0 t)
- Mobile boom crane (load capacity 25.0 t)
- Transit mixer (useful volume 4.5 m3)
- Swiveling concrete bucket ('Shoe' type, volume 1.0 m3)
- Three-phase gasoline generator (380/220 V, 11 kW, weight 150 kg)
- Welding generator (single-operator, 200 A, 230 V, weight 90 kg)
- Reversible/forward vibratory plate compactor (force/weight 90 kg, depth up to 150 mm)
1. General Provisions and Design Parameters
This method statement is developed for a complex of construction and installation works on the erection of retaining walls (volume of works V=100 m3), used for terracing, zoning, erosion protection, and slope stabilization. The structure ensures the protection of road embankments, shorelines, and foundations from the impact of lateral movements of heaving soils. The works are carried out by a mechanized crew in one shift.
The design dimensions and embedment depth of the structure strictly depend on the wall height and soil type. For walls with a height of 0.4–1.5 m, the formwork and wall body are embedded by 1/3 of the total height. With a wall height of 1.6–2.0 m, the minimum embedment is 0.7 m. The minimum thickness of the trapezoidal wall in the upper part is 10 cm.
The base (footing) width is calculated based on the soil bearing capacity: for sandy soils and sandy loams (loose soil), it is 1/2 of the height (1:2); for loams (medium density soil) — 1/3 of the height (1:3); for dense clay soils — 1/4 of the height (1:4). To reinforce and stabilize, the use of galvanized double-twisted metal wire meshes in combination with the main reinforcement cage is permitted.
- Analysis of design documentation and determination of the required ratio of wall dimensions to soil type.
- Verification of the technological readiness of the construction site and the availability of a work permit.
- Arrangement of temporary access roads, storage areas, and provision of electricity to the site.
2. Labor Organization, Crew Composition, and Material and Technical Supply
To ensure the specified pace and quality of work, a complex team of 6 people is involved. The composition includes: two 4th-grade formwork carpenters, two 3rd-grade specialists, and two 2nd-grade general laborers. A mandatory requirement is the availability of slinger certificates for at least two members of the brigade. All workers must possess the skills to assemble reinforcement cages and tie knots according to ISO 17660 standards.
Material provision includes concrete mix of international class C12/15 or C15/20 (equivalent to B15), with water resistance grade W6 and frost resistance F100. Reinforcement is carried out with deformed steel bars with a diameter of 10 mm (class 400/500 MPa). Softwood lumber (thickness 15 and 25 mm), reinforced LDPE film (thickness 200 µm, width 2000 mm), crushed granite stone of 20-40 mm fraction (crushability grade M800), and non-woven geotextile with a density of 450 g/m2 are also used.
The mechanization set includes: a backhoe loader (bucket 0.28 m3, digging depth 5.46 m), a dump truck with a load capacity of 13 t, a mobile boom crane (25 t), a transit mixer (4.5 m3) with a swiveling concrete bucket (1.0 m3). Auxiliary equipment: three-phase gasoline generator (11 kW, 150 kg), welding generator (200 A, 230 V), internal vibrators, gasoline vibratory screed (1.2 m, 1.2 HP), and a vibratory plate compactor (weight 90 kg, compaction depth up to 150 mm).
- Conducting safety inductions and distributing work assignments among the comprehensive crew members.
- Deployment of mobile power stations (11 kW) and checking equipment grounding.
- Preparation of the concrete bucket and inspection of the mobile crane's rigging equipment.
3. Geodetic Layout and Axis Fixing
The geodetic layout basis is accepted by an act with reference to a global or local system of coordinates and elevations. The layout is carried out in two planes: horizontal (position of axes and outline in plan) and vertical (elevations from benchmarks). The reference point for linear structures along roads is the axis of the carriageway.
The fixing of axes on the site is carried out using reusable beacons driven into the ground and a stretched steel wire (or string). To ensure the safety of the layout basis for the period of earthworks and concrete works, an inventory batter board is installed at a distance of 2–3 meters from the contour of the future trench.
Vertical elevations are transferred using a dumpy level. The surveyor transfers the layout basis to the site manager, who is responsible for its preservation. Any displacements of the beacons are unacceptable and require a repeated instrumental check. Upon completion of the stage, a certificate of inspection of the geodetic layout basis is signed.
- Acceptance of geodetic control points from the Client (at least 10 days before the start of works).
- Setting out the longitudinal and transverse axes of the wall on site, fixing them with control pegs.
- Installation of inventory batter boards at a safe distance (2-3 m) and stretching of the axial strings.
- Transfer of elevations from the working benchmark to the elements of the batter boards.
4. Earthworks and Trench Excavation
The excavation of a rectangular trench is carried out by a backhoe loader below the normative soil freezing depth. For bulk soils, the freezing depth is taken at 1.7 m, for loamy soils — 1.45 m (parameters are adjusted according to local climatic norms). The trench width at the bottom should be 0.5 of the design wall height. Soil excavation is carried out with dumping into a spoil heap or directly into dump trucks.
The excavation is performed with an under-digging to the design elevation. The final leveling of the trench bottom is done exclusively manually according to the profile and level, removing excess or adding missing soil. It is strictly forbidden to grade and compact frozen soil, as well as soil containing snow and ice.
Compaction of the soil subgrade is carried out by a vibratory plate compactor (weight 90 kg) in 8 passes per track. The process continues until a compaction coefficient of at least 0.98 is achieved. The quality of work is confirmed by instrumental control and the execution of a concealed works inspection certificate.
- Dismantling of interfering axial strings while strictly preserving control beacons.
- Mechanized soil excavation by a backhoe loader leaving a protective layer.
- Manual leveling of the trench bottom to design elevations with level control.
- Compaction of the thawed soil base with a vibratory plate compactor (minimum 8 passes) to K=0.98.
5. Installation of a Drainage Bedding Layer
To drain moisture from the concrete structure and prevent frost heaving, a drainage bedding layer is arranged. A non-woven synthetic geotextile (density 450 g/m2) is spread along the compacted trench bottom. The material is laid with an overlap and mandatory wrapping onto the vertical trench walls to the height of the future sand and crushed stone preparation.
Building sand is delivered by dump trucks to the on-site storage, from where it is moved into the trench by a backhoe loader. The distribution of sand over the geotextile is done manually (with shovels and spreaders). To achieve the design thickness of the compacted layer h=0.15 m, sand is dumped with a thickness of h=0.17 m in a loose state (an initial loosening coefficient K=1.10 is applied).
Compaction of the sand layer is carried out by a vibratory plate compactor with layer-by-layer moistening if necessary. After acceptance of the sand cushion, a crushed stone layer (fraction 20-40 mm, grade M800) is arranged in a similar way, over which a blinding concrete layer is poured, serving as a reliable waterproofing barrier and an even base for formwork installation.
- Laying geotextile rolls along the trench bottom fixing the edges on the slopes.
- Feeding building sand into the trench and manual leveling taking into account the loosening coefficient (1.10).
- Compaction of the sand with a vibratory plate compactor to a design thickness of 150 mm.
- Dumping crushed stone of 20-40 mm fraction and pouring a blinding concrete layer for cage installation.
6. Formwork, Reinforcement, and Concreting Works (Overview Cycle)
Installation of the inventory framed formwork is carried out on the prepared concrete base observing the concrete cover of the reinforcement (using polyethylene spacers). The reinforcement cage is assembled from deformed steel bars (10 mm), connections are made by manual arc welding (4.0 mm electrodes) or tying wire. Formwork panels are fixed with tie rods and push-pull props to withstand the hydrostatic pressure of the concrete mix.
The pouring of concrete class C15/20 (W6, F100) is carried out using a transit mixer and a swiveling concrete bucket with a capacity of 1.0 m3, moved by a mobile crane. The placement of the mixture is carried out in horizontal layers with a thickness not exceeding the length of the working part of the internal vibrator. Compaction is considered sufficient when the mixture stops settling, air bubbles cease to emerge, and cement paste appears on the surface.
Curing of freshly poured concrete includes covering it with reinforced LDPE film (thickness 200 µm) to prevent moisture loss. Formwork removal is performed only after the concrete has reached stripping strength (according to international standards for monolithic concrete). The final stage is the waterproofing of the rear face of the wall with roll materials (roofing felt, membranes) and the backfilling of the excavated spaces with draining soil.
- Installation of reinforcement meshes and spatial cages fixing the concrete cover.
- Installation and alignment of inventory formwork panels, treatment of the deck with anti-adhesive release agent.
- Concreting the structure in layers with mandatory vibration using internal vibrators.
- Concrete curing (covering with LDPE film), subsequent formwork removal and waterproofing.