Terramet®

Reinforced Earth™ structures combine selected granular, engineered backfill with steel tensile reinforcements and a modular facing system. This combination creates a durable retaining wall. The technique is adaptable to retaining walls of any practical height. Reinforced Earth™ structures are capable of supporting there own weight together with very high dead and live loads imposed by associated structures and vehicles.

The steel reinforcing elements extend from the rear face of the steal panel into the retained soil mass such that there is an effective increase in the shear capacity of the soil. The use of steel soil reinforcement elements allows the construction of retaining walls to very tall heights including mining, bridge and highway structures. These specialist panel wall types are generally recognized as the single most appropriate technical solution to many specific retaining wall applications, where the tensile stresses generated within the structure are of such magnitude, that the use of alternate polymeric solutions such as a geogrid becomes technically not feasible or uneconomical to use.

Retaining Solutions promotes these wall types as a very effective technical solution for the construction of heavily loaded retaining structures in the major infrastructure and mining markets throughout Australia. Retaining Solutions is able to provide the specialist construction skills that are required for walls of this critical nature.

Steel facing panels are generally delivered to site direct from the manufacturer along with the custom designed steel reinforcement elements to ensure that the generally repetitive nature of erection of steal panels, connection of steel reinforcement elements and placement and compaction of backfill over the steel reinforcement elements can proceed quickly and cost effectively.

The introduction of these wall types occurred in Australia in the late 1970’s. To date there have been hundreds of these walls successfully installed throughout Australia. The design of these proprietary wall types is generally carried out by the manufacturer of the system. Generally the very critical application of these wall types will require a detailed analysis of foundation conditions, applied loadings, service life, soil properties and potential environmental issues, both long and short term that may be associated with the wall construction.

Any changes to the size, shape and position of surcharge loads originally adopted for the wall design as a result of change of vehicle loadings, additional embankment height or structure loadings may compromise the wall design.

The use of materials such as steel that are used in this system of retaining wall type is well documented, researched and understood. For specific environmental concerns, there are special treatments for the steel reinforcement supplied.

It is important that surface water run-off and ground water movement is controlled over the life of the structure. Water that contains corrosive contaminants may have an adverse effect on metallic components.

The steel facing panels come in a galvanised or black steal finish incorporating a 0.35 x 3m longitudinal elliptical face pattern

TerraMet® wall systems are able to accommodate transitions and abrupt changes in direction easily. For walls of a more temporary nature alternate facing systems such as mesh may be incorporated rather than the steal facing panel.

Retaining Solutions should be contacted to provide advice on a suitable facing should the works be temporary in nature.