Retaining wall with bricks or cast concrete wall?

[Pasi K]

Planning to build a retaining wall to stabilize the ground above for an upcoming storage/sauna building. The wall will be on a smooth sloping rock surface. How would you do it? Option 1: Cast a reinforced footing and then build the wall with hollow masonry blocks that can be filled with concrete and reinforcement or Option 2: a footing and then traditional formwork with standing, overlapping form boards, perhaps 20 cm thick. The height varies but around 100 cm. Finishing against the existing stone wall to the right in the picture. To the left, a wall at 90 degrees to the main wall may be needed. As you can see, I have groundwater from above, so drainage is of course important. Which alternative is best? Easiest?

 

[Natha112]

Hi Pasi,
How did it go? I'm facing a similar decision where I want to build a retaining wall on sloping rock.
I'd love to see pictures of your finished result if possible for some inspiration.

 

[Pasi K]

Hi Pasi,
How did it go? I'm facing a similar decision where I want to build a retaining wall on sloping rock.
Would love to see pictures of your finished result if possible for some inspiration.

Hi! Haven't done anything about it yet. Together with the ground contractor, we have decided to place some really large stone blocks on the flat area where the rock meets the gravel and build up a stone slope. It will be a continuation of the stone wall that already exists. It will be a slightly narrower flat area than originally planned but it will look best that way. Good luck!