ABG Green Retaining Wall Guide

Guide to Green Retaining
Walls
Environmental Geosynthetics
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Contents
ABG and Green Retaining Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Introduction to Retaining Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Terminology - Cut & Fill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Terminology - cont. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Traditional Solutions - Gabions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Traditional Solutions - Crib wall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Traditional Solutions - Cantilever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Traditional Solutions - Embedded Cantilever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Other Traditional Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Green Retaining Wall Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Green Walls Vs Traditional Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Design Considerations - General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Design Considerations - Environmental/Waste Issues . . . . . . . . . . .13
Webwall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Webwall - Ancillaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Webwall - Ancillaries cont. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Webwall - Vegetation & Planting
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Webwall - Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Webwall - Installation cont. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Webwall - Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
ABG Ltd
E7 Meltham Mills Road
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
Email: geo@abgltd.com
1. ABG and Green Retaining Walls
ABG Ltd are a UK based

manufacturer and supplier of
specialist geosynthetic materials. We
offer an extensive range of materials,
including retaining wall systems,
geocomposite drainage products,
geotextiles and several specialist SUDS
related systems.
We pride ourselves on being a pioneer

and innovator of environmental
solutions. This includes being a
contributor to the WRAP report on
'Sustainable Geosystems in Civil
Engineering Applications' which
focuses on the use of sustainable
products.
The term 'Green retaining wall' not only

refers to the finished appearance of the
wall i.e through planting of the front
face, but also its 'green credentials'
which we will explore throughout the
course of this guide.
We first became involved in retaining

wall systems and reinforced earth
solutions 20 years ago when we
developed and launched our own
range of ground engineering products.
These products include a cellular
retaining wall system known as
Webwall. The product was developed
as a sustainable, green wall solution
manufactured using a mixture of prime
and recycled HDPE.
The aim of this guide is to demonstrate
the range of retaining walls systems
available, with specific focus on green
retaining walls and the added benefits
that come with using such a system.
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
2. Introduction to Retaining Walls
etaining walls have been in use for

thousands of years:
There are several types of retaining wall

structure that can be implemented to
create the extra space required. These
structures have several different types
but can generally be classified in two
ways:
The Romans used retaining walls

to aid in the construction of their
famous roads.
Many of the castles in Europe
incorporated retaining walls into
their design.
Traditional retaining wall systems:

these include gabions baskets, crib
walls, concrete walls & steel piled
walls.
Hillside rice paddies in Asia have

depended on retaining walls for
hundreds of years.
Green retaining wall systems

consisting of a cellular structure,
such as ABG Webwall.
Developments of all types now use

retaining walls to maximise the usable
area of the chosen site. Often the land
can vary from a gentle slope to a steep
hill and therefore a method of
engineering is required to increase the
usable space. One way of doing this is
to utilize retaining walls, making them
an integral part of any design.
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
3. Terminology - Cut & Fill
wo of the most common terms

associated with retaining walls are
'Cut' and 'Fill'.
A 'Cut' wall is as simple as it sounds.
This is when you cut into an existing
embankment or hillside to gain
additional space. The retaining wall
then has to retain the material behind
the cut which can vary in density,
structure, hydrology, surcharges and
angles of slip. It is important to note
that this method of construction can
create a large quantity of waste
material. This may need to be
disposed of which has cost
implications and a large impact on site
waste management plans.
The need for a cut or fill wall will be

determined by the topography of the
site, desired finished level and position
of the infrastructure. Often a site will
require both cut and fill walls.
A 'Fill' wall is built in front of the existing

embankment or hillside and material is
then compacted behind the wall to
create additional space. A fill wall can
help dramatically with the use of site
won material which would otherwise
have to be taken to landfill.
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
4. Terminology - cont.
Gravity Retaining Wall

A gravity retaining wall is usually a low
height (less than 2m) wall which
depends on its own weight to hold
back the material behind and any
surcharges above.
Reinforced Soil Retained Wall
A reinforced soil retained wall is for
walls greater than 2m in height.
Typically the reinforcement comes in
the form of a geogrid such as ABG's
Trigrid. This product is installed at
each level and uses friction and
interlock to tie the wall back in to the
ground behind (depth equal to the
height of the wall).
Overturning moment: the effect

of the soil pressure tending to rotate
the wall forward.
Surcharges: where other forces

are put on the wall which can include
trafficking loads.
Parapet: extension of the wall

above retained soil level - perhaps a
safety fence.
Hydrostatic Pressure: occurs

when water is allowed to build up in
the fill behind the wall.
Parapet: the height the wall extends

above the retained height.
Other commonly used terms:

Retained Height: the height of the
material to be retained.
Foundation or Foot: the base on
which the wall is constructed on.
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
5. Traditional Solutions - Gabions
abions are one of the most widely

used forms of gravity retaining
walls. Commonly used for gardens,
commercial embankments and at the
side of highways. Gabion walls consist
of a series of wire mesh baskets, which
are either welded or woven, and then
hand filled with imported stone.
Woven gabions
Woven gabions are formed by weaving
adjacent strands of wire by twisting
them through one and a half turns at
intervals, forming a hexagonal shaped
mesh. The ends of the mesh wires are
wrapped around a heavier transverse
edge wire to form the panels. The
tensile strength of the mesh in the
direction of the weave is greater than
across the weave.
every intersection to form a grid then

wires are interwoven at the corners to
hold the basket together. Trapezoidal
gabions allow different aesthetics and
slight flexibility in design.
Disadvantages:
Stone fill usually imported
Time consuming to install
Harsh appearance
Advantages:
High embedded carbon
Accommodates differential
settlement
Increased number of vehicle

movements required for import of
stone fill
Simple construction
Free draining
Welded gabions
Welded gabions are manufactured from
dimensional stable panels of mesh,
that are formed by welding transverse
and longitudinal wires at each and
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
6. Traditional Solutions - Crib wall
rib walls are constructed by

interlocking individual boxes made
from timber, pre-cast concrete or metal
members to create gravity retaining
walls. The boxes are filled with crushed
stone or other coarse granular
materials to create a free-draining
structure. The units are spaced so that
the fill material contained within the
crib, is not affected by climatic change
and acts in conjunction with the crib
work to support the retained earth.
is essentially a fully operating structure

at each stage of its construction. The
use of mechanical plant is
recommended to speed up the
construction.
There are two main types of crib wall:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Durable provided timber cribs are
treated
Free draining structure
Aesthetically pleasing
Timber
Timber crib walls are commonly built
from logs or treated wood and so the
required design life must be taken into
account.
Increased construction time and

therefore labour costs
Precast concrete
Precast concrete crib units are a more
permanent option and are constructed
in the same way as the wooden units.
The infill is built in as each course is
assembled and therefore the crib wall
High embedded carbon
ABG Ltd
Meltham
Vegetation can take a long time to

establish within cribs
Increased number of vehicle
movements required for import of
stone fill
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
7. Traditional Solutions - Cantilever
antilever retaining walls are

constructed of concrete. They
consist of a relatively thin stem and a
base slab or footing. The base is also
divided into two parts, the heel and toe.
The heel is the part of the base under
the backfill. The toe is the other part of
the base.
The cantilever wall relies on the stiffness
of the stem of the wall to hold back soil
pressure; the buried base prevents the
stem from moving. It is the task of the
designer to ensure that the base is large
enough to restrain the stem, and that the
stem is strong enough to resist the soil.
Advantages:
Units can be re-used
Quick to install
Disadvantages:
Plant intensive installation/Crane
required
Appearance - plain concrete face
Non draining, additional drainage
required
Graffiti prone
For relatively small heights of wall the

use of precast concrete wall sections is
common; for larger heights, for more
difficult soils, for aesthetic reasons and in
various other particular situations, in-situ
concrete is usually preferred. In
particular, precast walls usually require
good foundation soils and are best
suited to "fill" situations.
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
8. Traditional Solutions - Embedded Cantilever
nstead of the base or footing of other

cantilever walls, embedded cantilever
walls rely on an extended "stem" buried
in the ground to restrain the wall in
place. The depth to which the wall
must be embedded depends on the
ground conditions and on any loads
that may be applied to the soil retained
by the wall, such as further building or
traffic. In unfavourable conditions the
depth of embedment can be
substantially greater than the height of
soil retained.
There are essentially three materials

used for construction of embedded
cantilever walls: timber, reinforced
concrete and steel. Timber is neither
as stron g nor as durable as reinforced
concrete or steel. However,
satisfactory walls can be constructed to
heights of around 3.0m with suitable
timber.
Embedded cantilever walls are
essentially only suitable for "cut"
situations.
The advantage of embedded retaining

walls is that they are built "within the
ground". T-shaped and L-shaped
cantilever walls can require substantial
excavation and associated working
space to allow the footing to be
constructed. Conversely, embedded
walls can require large machinery to
construct them, with correspondingly
high mobilisation costs.
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
9. Other Traditional Methods
Soil Nailing
Soil nailing is a technique in which soil
slopes, excavations or retaining walls
are reinforced by the insertion of
relatively slender elements - normally
steel reinforcing bars. The bars are
usually installed into a pre-drilled hole
and then grouted into place or drilled
and grouted simultaneously. They are
usually installed un-tensioned at a
slight downward inclination. A rigid or
flexible facing (often pneumatically
applied concrete otherwise known as
shotcrete) or isolated soil nail heads
may be used at the surface.
Soil Nailing can only be used in certain

situations dependent on several factors
including ground conditions and
topography.
Piled Walls
Reinforced concrete walls are typically
secant and or contiguous bored piles,
which are installed by a large cranemounted piling machine. By far the
most common form of steel is sheet
piles which are generally driven into the
ground by a crane mounted hammer.
Modular Block
Individual, usually identical, precast
concrete units either interlock, offset
stack, or are placed structurally
independent of each other and
anchored into the backfill. The
components of a complete system can
include foundation soil; levelling pad;
precast concrete units of high-strength
concrete; shear pins if units don't
interlock; multiple-depth walls or
additional soil reinforcement such as
ABG Trigrid, welded wire fabric, or soil
anchors if the wall is over a certain
height; retained soil; and drainage
geocomposite/medium.
Being gravity structures, these systems
rely on their own weight and coherent
mass to resist overturn and sliding
forces.
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
10. Green Retaining Wall Solutions
he most commonly used green

retaining walls come in the form of
a cellular confinement system, such as
ABG Webwall. This type of retaining
wall system consists of a honeycomb
structure. The cell structure
strengthens structural fill, via the hoop
strength of the cell walls, the passive
resistance of adjacent cells, and the
frictional interaction between infill and
cell walls. These mechanisms create a
bridging structure with high flexural
strength and stiffness; thereby
improving the long term load
deformation performance of common
granular fill materials.
Although they are manufactured from a

variety of materials, a HDPE
composition (Webwall) is preferable as
it offers additional rigidity and strength
which is important particularly during
the installation phase.
Once constructed the front cells of the
green wall should be planted to create
an aesthetically pleasing finish and
increase the sites biodiversity.
Please note: Cellular confinement
systems can also be used in single
layers to reinforce the surface of a
slope or in basal applications such as
access roads to strengthen the fill
material.
Unlike traditional systems one of the

biggest advantages is that geocellular
walls require no imported material as
they can be constructed using site won
material. This can help dramatically
with site waste management plans, the
reduction of carbon emissions, and
cost associated with the project.
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
11. Green Walls Vs Traditional Walls
hy chose a Green Retaining Wall

over a Traditional Retaining Wall?
Traditional retaining walls are common

place throughout the UK and can be
seen on most developments in one
form or another. Although the green
retaining wall systems are far less
common this is beginning to change.
There are a number of key reasons we
are seeing this change.
Aesthetically pleasing finish.
A green wall has a planted finish
meaning that over time the whole face
of the wall will be covered with
vegetation. This enables them to blend
in more with the natural environment.
In some cases they add much needed
greenery to developments that
predominantly contain hard
landscaped finishes. This is normally
preferable for developers who want the
presence of green areas without the
sacrifice of valuable space. This too
can help in attaining valuable BREEAM
ABG Ltd
and CEEQUAL points in instances

where site ecology and biodiversity
need to be maintained or increased.
Project Example: Traditional Vs Green
Reduction in surface water run-off

A planted green retaining wall will not
only filter pollutants but will also reduce
surface water run-off. The extra
vegetation within the green wall will
absorb the vast majority of rainfall that
falls on it during heavy storms. In
contrast a solid concrete structure will
absorb little, creating additional
pressure on the surrounding sewer
systems.
Based upon the following assumptions:
Factors considered include: Transport, Waste &

Cost Factors
- Retaining wall with 3m retained height, 50m in

length
- Ground consists of firm silty sand (too dirty for
use as engineered fill without processing)
- Ground profile assumed to need both cut and
fill which are balanced
- Lorry load with 20 tonne capacity / Soil at 1.6
tonnes/m3
Factors to Consider
Lower Cost
Typically green retaining wall systems
have a lower initial cost. They are less
labour intensive to install and require
no imported fill. Examples of the
savings that can be made are shown
below.
Retaining Wall Type

Gabion
Webwall
(Traditional)
(Green)
Total material excavation
775m3
775m3
Total retained for use in

construction of retaining wall
500m3
758m3
Excavated material now waste
275m3
17m3
Imported fill required

(stone etc)
275m3
0m3
45
<5
37,000
25,000
Lorry movements
(inc. delivery to site & removal)
Approximate cost*
(inc material, fill & disposal)
* Costs obtained from Spon's price guide books for Civil

Works, Landscaping & External Works 2010
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
12. Design Considerations - General
Drainage / Hydrostatic Pressure

Most retaining walls that fail, fail
because of hydrostatic pressure
against the wall caused by water or
soil-moisture build up behind the wall.
All walls should provide for the back-ofwall water to freely drain down and
away from the wall. This can be
accomplished using a drainage
geocomposite such as ABG Fildrain.
"batter". How far the wall can be

'battered' back should be considered
at the outset. This is largely
dependent upon the 'workable' space
available on site.
Cost/Ease & Speed of
Construction
In some instances the initial cost of the
materials can be a key factor in
determining which system to use. It is
vital to consider the true cost and
evaluate other costs incurred through
removal of spoil from site to landfill,
import of material and speed of
construction.
Foundations
A wall is only as good as its foundation,
and all retaining walls should be built
on structurally sound, compacted
foundation sub-base material. Levelled
and compacted earth or gravel fill are
acceptable. The foundation material
should extend below the frost
susceptible depth.
Materials
When choosing materials, select the
type that is best suited for the desired
result.
Batter
Walls are more stable and structurally
secure if they slope back or "lay back"
into the retained slope. This amount of
variance from true vertical is called
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
13. Design Considerations - Environmental/Waste Issues
CO2
There are several environmental issues
with building walls ranging from site
contamination to the disruption of site
biodiversity. One key factor becoming
ever more prevalent in the face of climate
change is that the waste created and
carbon emitted in the construction of
projects. This is being monitored and
controlled with site waste management
plans for projects over 300,000 in value:
although some construction companies
now insist on a plan for every site. Not
only does the plan control the amount of
waste and carbon emitted but can assist
with the sites profitability of the project.
The amount of embedded carbon in
materials used can in some cases be
extremely high. Some of the more
traditional retaining wall structures suffer
in this respect. Gabion walls for example
tend to use large quantities of quarried
stone, whilst steel structures emit vast
amounts of carbon within the production
process.
ABG Ltd
this commitment by enabling more site

won material to be constructively used on
site.
Aside from the production process it is

also important to look at the
transportation of materials. When using
systems which either require large
amounts of waste material removing to
landfill or imported material to site, the
amount of vehicle movements and
pollutants created are also taken into
account in the site waste management
plans.
Mendip Hills
Site Waste
One of the drivers of looking at the
amount of waste generated for landfill is
WRAP. WRAP made a commitment to
half the amount of construction waste
sent to landfill by 2012. This is commonly
known as the 'Waste 2 Landfill
commitment (W2L)'. To date companies
who have committed to achieving this
goal include ASDA, Sainsburys, Land
Securities, Lend Lease, Bovis, and Balfour
Beatty to name but a few.
Mendip Valleys
The use of green retaining structures

such as Webwall is one way to help attain
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
14. Webwall
e have looked briefly at the topic

of green retaining walls and how
they compare with more traditional
systems. We would now like to focus
upon one specific example of a green
retaining wall system, Webwall, in order
to evaluate its merits in more detail.
Life expectancy
Webwall has life expectancy in excess
of 50 years once covered with
vegetation. The product is also
manufactured from high density
polyethylene designed with an additive
package to protect against UV
degradation.
Applications
Webwall can be used in the
construction of both gravity and
reinforced retaining structures, visual
bunds and embankment stabilisation,
Appearance
Although the faade can be varied in
colour, the intention is that the front
cells are planted with vegetation to
achieve a natural appearance over
time. If required Webwall can be hard
faced to give a traditional appearance
with either bricks, blocks or panels.
Construction
Webwall is constructed from high
density polyethylene strips securely
interlocked at the joints with nylon
thread to create a honeycomb
structure. This structure allows for
flexible design meaning the wall can be
laid to allow for changes in height and
deviation along the length of the wall.
Webwall is supplied in different colours
and size to suit the project.
ABG Ltd
Meltham
Sizes
Webwall Panel
Type
Panel Width (m)
1.5
Panel Length (m)
Panel height (mm)
250
250
250
Cell diameter (mm)
500
500
500
Panel height (mm)
500
500
500
Cell diameter (mm)
500
500
500
Please note: Panel sizes can be adapted to

suit an individual project.
Recycled Content
Webwall contains a minimum of 60%
recycled polymer.
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
15. Webwall - Ancillaries
Drainage - ABG Fildrain

All retaining walls require drainage to
alleviate the hydrostatic pressure
Traditional methods used consist of a
500mm deep layer of drainage stone.
A more cost effective solution is to
install a layer of ABG Fildrain.
Although modular retaining wall
systems like Webwall are relatively free
draining; a layer of drainage material is
still advised behind the wall itself.
Fildrain is a drainage geocomposite
which is used in strip form as opposed
to a continuous layer. It consists of a
dimpled recycled plastic core with an
integral filter fleece wrap. A 6mm thick
Fildrain installed at metre centres
would offer a vastly improved
performance over the drainage stone
as it creates a clear void space to
channel the water away from behind
the wall.
ABG Ltd
Other advantages:
Supplied in rolls - easy
handling/storage
Simple/quick to install
Cost effective in comparison with
stone
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
16. Webwall - Ancillaries cont.
Geogrid Reinforcement - ABG

TRIGRID EX
For retaining structures over 2m in height
a more economical solution can be
achieved by using a reinforcement layer
within the retained soil.
Please note: the grade of reinforcement

used varies from project to project.
Please consult ABG at the design stage
for advice.
Additional ancillaries: fixing pins are
also required to hold the Webwall cells
open prior to backfill - typically 19 per
webwall panel. Pin size depends upon
the depth of the Webwall panel.
We recommend ABG TRIGRID EX for

retaining wall applications. Trigrid is an
innovative high performance Geogrid. It
combines fibre-reinforced polymer strips
within a woven structure. Its junctions
are high-strength welded which helps
create an interlocking structure from a
powerful combination of hybrid
materials.
TRIGRID EX is produced from high
strength polyester yarns, which have
excellent durability and creep behaviour
in civil engineering applications. In
contrast traditional polypropylene
geogrids are characteristically affected
by creep to a much greater extent.
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
17. Webwall - Vegetation & Planting
lanting the front facing panels of

the Webwall is extremely important
not only from an aesthetics perspective
but also to enhance the products long
term durability through protection from
UV. ABG also add a UV inhibitor
during the manufacturing of the front
facing panels. This provides additional
protection.
The type of planting varies dependent
upon a number of factors. These
include the following:
Planting of the front face of the

Webwall can be relatively inexpensive.
Examples of plants typically used
include:
Herbaceous plants:
Ajuga reptans (and its varieties),
Bergenia cordifolia, Euphorbia
amygdaloides , Lamium maculatum
'Beacon Silver', Alchemilla mollis
Shrubs/Trailers:
Berberis darwinii, Cotoneaster
horizontalis, Hedera variegate, Lonicera
nitida "Baggasens Gold" and Vinca
major 'Variegata.
Soil condition of the infill

Desired appearance
Location & climate
Orientation
Height & length of the green
retaining wall
Budget
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
18. Webwall - Installation
irst set out the line of the wall and

excavate a firm footing A concrete
foundation is not required as Webwall
is designed to be a flexible system. If
the ground is poor or saturated then an
additional amount can be excavated
and replaced with good quality crushed
stone. Note: For high walls a good
quality foundation is essential.
The first Webwall panel is positioned

(unexpanded) to the line of the front
face, and a single pin is hammered
down into the first cell to hold it in
place.
The Webwall panel is stretched to the

back of the wall, keeping it
perpendicular to the front face, and a
pin hammered down through the rear
cell to hold it in place. Continue to
hammer pins into each cell along the
face and as many of the cells along the
back as necessary to hold the web
mattress into shape. All pins should be
installed min. 30mm below the level of
the web and should not be removed
after backfilling.
Site prior to construction of Webwall
ABG Ltd
Meltham
The Webwall panels are laid the length

of the wall, if required cutting the last
panel down to length using a disc saw.
Alternatively, ABG can manufacture the
length of the panels to suit the site.
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
19. Webwall - Installation cont.
The front Webwall cells are filled with

the site material, ensuring any large or
sharp stones are removed. These cells
can then be shaped to enhance
appearance prior to backfill of the
remaining cells. Once all Webwall cells
have been filled the material should be
well compacted prior to installation of
the next layer.
ABG Ltd
This process is then repeated with

each subsequent layer having a small
setback to create the pockets for
planting and repeated to the full height
of the wall. Fence posts can be added
into the top course if needed.
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
Where the wall exceeds 2m retained

height install a layer of ABG TRIGRID
EX between each tier. Depth should be
equal to height of the wall.
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
20. Webwall - Examples
Allotment, Nottingham
Reservoir, Holmfirth
Bypass, Dudley
Notes
Allotment:
top image - day of installation
bottom image - 3 months later
Reservoir:
top image - during installation
bottom image - 3 weeks later
Bypass:
left hand image - day of completion
right hand image - 6 months later
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
21. Summary
n summary there are a wide variety of

retaining walls systems available
ranging from the more traditional to
systems with a 'greener' approach.
The choice is of course very much
dependent upon a number of factors,
including site conditions, workable
space and the desired end result to
name but a few.
Next time you are looking at a retaining
wall on a particular project, whether it
be at initial design or construction
stage, contact ABG. With over 20
years of experience in green retaining
wall systems we can offer advice,
structural calculations and/or even a
full design.
Contractor:
The overall benefits of ABG's green

retaining wall system, Webwall, are
summarised below.
Quick & simple to install - ABG

installation service also available
where required
Client:
Cost effective solution
Little storage space required for

materials
Aesthetically pleasing planted

finish
Reduction in site waste material
Steep batter keeping land lost to

a minimum
Like ABG Webwall make sure your

choice of retaining wall ticks all of the
boxes.
Architect/Engineer:
ABG carry out the necessary
structural calculations
ABG produce a design free of
charge
Enhanced biodiversity &
BREEAM points.
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096
Environmental Geosynthetics
www.abgltd.com
Working in partnership with;
ABG Ltd
Meltham
West Yorkshire
HD9 4DS
UK
Tel: 01484 852096

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Guide to Green Retaining

Webwall - Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

E7 Meltham Mills Road

Tel: 01484 852096

1. ABG and Green Retaining Walls

ABG Ltd are a UK based

We pride ourselves on being a pioneer

The term 'Green retaining wall' not only

We first became involved in retaining

E7 Meltham Mills Road

Tel: 01484 852096

2. Introduction to Retaining Walls

etaining walls have been in use for

There are several types of retaining wall

The Romans used retaining walls

Traditional retaining wall systems:

Hillside rice paddies in Asia have

Green retaining wall systems

Developments of all types now use

E7 Meltham Mills Road

Tel: 01484 852096

3. Terminology - Cut & Fill

wo of the most common terms

The need for a cut or fill wall will be

A 'Fill' wall is built in front of the existing

E7 Meltham Mills Road

Tel: 01484 852096

Gravity Retaining Wall

Overturning moment: the effect

Surcharges: where other forces

Parapet: extension of the wall

Hydrostatic Pressure: occurs

Parapet: the height the wall extends

Other commonly used terms:

E7 Meltham Mills Road

Tel: 01484 852096

5. Traditional Solutions - Gabions

abions are one of the most widely

every intersection to form a grid then

High embedded carbon

Increased number of vehicle

E7 Meltham Mills Road

Tel: 01484 852096

6. Traditional Solutions - Crib wall

rib walls are constructed by

is essentially a fully operating structure

There are two main types of crib wall:

Increased construction time and

High embedded carbon

E7 Meltham Mills Road

Vegetation can take a long time to

Tel: 01484 852096

7. Traditional Solutions - Cantilever

antilever retaining walls are

For relatively small heights of wall the

E7 Meltham Mills Road

Tel: 01484 852096

8. Traditional Solutions - Embedded Cantilever

nstead of the base or footing of other