This guide is a basic outline of how to install a concrete retaining wall.
Sleeper retaining wall design guide.
To cut a sleeper measure off the length needed and make around the sleeper using a set square and pencil.
For simplicity it is based on installing a 1 metre high retaining wall with 2 metre sleepers.
I worked out i need 15 sleepers 2400mm long plus six each of 1200 and 1800mm for about 16 metres of wall with steps set in one panel.
Measure the length of the wall setting the posts to match the sleeper sizes.
Multiply the spacings between posts by the number of vertical sleepers to find how many you need.
The traditional way of building a sleeper wall is horizontal.
Lay out the first row of sleepers horizontally and then the next layer on top like bricks.
The sleepers can then be laid butted up end to end and screwed into place.
How to build a retaining wall from upright or vertically placed sleepers.
It is noted that for retaining walls with fences above refer to both section 3 2 1 or 4 2 1 for general fence zones and section 3 3 1 or 4 3 1 for the end zones of a fence i e.
Go to section 3 1 or 4 1 of this document for retaining walls without fences above and section 3 2 or 4 2 for retaining walls with fences above up to a maximum of 1 8m high fence.
Then simply cut the sleeper from both sides using a circular saw with a cutting depth just over half the sleeper s thickness.
The advantage of using vertically placed railway sleepers is that you can vary the height of the wall in different places and you can create a curved wall rather than straight.
Constructing a retaining wall out of upright sleepers is pretty straightforward.