Curved thermalite block retaining wall?

[ABN]

Looking to build a retaining wall aprox 600mm high using thermalite blocks as roughly shown by the position of the bricks laid on the ground.

The inner circle has a 2M diameter, decking will be laid in there. The outside will be a 5M curve. The “spokes” coming out at the top is where built in seating will be fitted, and repeated on the left.

It will the be rendered.

In order have a smooth rendered finish I was thinking of laying the blocks vertically and in order to get the required height cement a half block on top. All the blocks would therefore be butt jointed.

Would this be strong enough?

Or is there a better way to do it?

 

[stuart45]

I wouldn't use AAC blocks and render myself for a retaining wall.

 

[^woody^]

Like this?

 

[ABN]

Like this?

Lol that made my day

Why not AAC blocks and what would you use?

 

[stuart45]

Why not AAC blocks and what would you use?

The render will normally fail quickly as the moisture comes through and freezes. You could do a 9 inch brick wall with some of those older bricks and a drainage system behind, or a drystone wall.

 

[ABN]

Had not thought about that

Just a little background. We live in a mid terrace house with no rear access and I am 71yrs old. The thought of carrying 4x the materials, mixing 4x the amount of cement and laying 4x the number of bricks is kind of off putting. That was the only reason for using block work. The thermalite was only chosen because it was much lighter than the other alternative block,

Would tanking the inside fix the render problem? If so would the wall be, built butt jointed as suggested be strong enough.

Also since its standing on earth would weep holes be needed as it would make tanking less effective.

 

[^woody^]

You can get a concrete block that is as light at a thermalite. But whether local merchants stock them is another matter.

The problem with your plan, is not really the sticking of the render - that can be an issue but it can be overcome, but more so the fact that in your design the blocks will move slightly and this will cause cracking at the joints. So you really need a properly bonded and thicker wall to deal with this.
Or potentially you could line the face with a mesh prior to rendering or a suitable board such as Marmox curved multiboard

You can line the back with polythene if any soil is to be placed against them

 

[ABN]

That Marmox curved multiboard looks VERY interesting and would solve many problems and make the rendering much easier, will look into it

Normally like to see and touch things before buying to get a feel for them. But with the hidden block work would be happy to just order off of the internet. What block would you recommend?

 

[cdbe]

Have you considered vertical sleepers? Still some work and a decent trench and some concrete but could be easier than a masonry wall with suitable foundations.

 

[ABN]

Thinking outside the box I like it
Yes we had concidered it and also 75mm round fence posts but didn`t think we would like the look.