Retaining wall progress 18 April 15

Since the last post, I have backfilled and almost completely core filled the wall from the steps to the existing wall at the right hand side. In the previous images, you will see a couple of blocks missing.. this is because they needed to be 'cut to size' at the ends. As luck would have it, there was a brickie working on a house 2 doors up the other day, so I wandered up there with a few blocks and a six pack in the barrow, and they were able to cut them to size for me! So I was able to finish that section of the wall.

Compleyted from the steps to the existing wall at the right

another view...

No-fines concrete backfill - My Plans called for 300mm but it went to 350.
A little extra cost, but stronger!

More no-fines concrete

Steps complete

Steps now complete.. well not the capping on the blocks, but you get the picture :)

Made a start in the actual wall as well

Back Steps

So today's progress seen the steps built leading up to the back yard. No capping yet, that will come tomorrow, but it is certainly starting to take shape!

Retaining wall update

Base course is now complete. The steps are t be completed over the next 2 days... However I have ran out of blocks, so I will need to order some more! Did I mention this landscaping caper is an expensive hobby?

One good thing from this, is while the base course was still being completed, the drainage was kind of 'tacked' in place. Even still, with the rain over the last couple of days, it was brilliant! Normally, after a heavy rain, the water would sit on the path for a day or two. For the most part of the last couple of days, there was absolutely NO puddle.. albeit for about 10minutes during a real heavy downpour, but as soon as it stopped, it drained right away! Very happy with the drainage!

It rained. Drainage working!

footings

footings

Base course

base course showing where the steps will go

Retaining wall fun

It was a hard slog, backfilling and core filling the rear retaining walls, but the girls helped out on the weekend and we finished it! There is a couple of 'end' and corner blocks missing, due to not having a saw, but they will b cut this week, as the landscaper is back to do the footings and steps for the next wall(800high on edge of concrete path 2 metres from house)

So here are some pics of the rear wall 'no fines concrete' backfill.

I did not get home tonight until after dark, so the next pictures are a bit dull. Ill update tomorrow in the sunlight. This is the next retaining wall prep, which will have steps built in to get to the yard

You can see where the steps are located in this one.

Some have asked me why the steps are located where they are. Wouldn't they be better  coming straight from the alfresco? The answer is no. The reason is 'future proofing'. We still have plans to have a pool, so having the steps in any other location would limit our choices. :)

Stacking Blocks Day 2

Stacked all of the blocks for the rear wall and started the backfill/corefill. Still a way to go though..

Left corner. Transitions from 600mm to 400mm

Need to cut some blocks in half, so the ends are not yet finished. Unfortunately I don't have a masonry saw

No fines concrete backfill. A bit of overkill on a 600mm wall, but I'd rather 'over engineer' than have it fall down. 

Rear wall stacking day 1

Found a spare hour to start stacking the blocks! Not really much to tell here other than show some pics. :)

Not a lot of time to get much more done today. Tomorrow I will get stuck in to it. Hopefully get started on the core and backfill!