Building walls and foundations

[andy2306]

I need to build a 7 ft retaining wall. I was planning on using 4" concrete blocks laid sidewards.

Im wanting to know.

1. What size footing would be required
2. What mix of concrete I should use and what mix for the mortar

Im also building a few raised beds which will be around 1m in height.

1. What size footing would be required
2. What mix of concrete I should use and what mix for the mortar

Thanks in advance
Andy

 

[tony1851]

Whilst building a 7-foot high retaining wall can be a DIY proposition, its design will not be.

You are effectively building a 'gravity retaining wall,' which will probably need to be a lot thicker than the length of a concrete block, depending on the characteristics of the retained material. You may need to consider drainage (build-up of moisture behind the wall will increase the pressure on it), and your foundation will also need to be properly designed.

Do the work yourself, but make sure it is to a proper design.