WALL INSTALLATION
The installation of LOCK+LOAD retaining walls is not unlike laying bricks in a bed of mortar. The soil backfill acts as mortar for LOCK+LOAD walls, where the panel and counterfort behave like the brick. As each row is placed the soil backfill is used to grade and level each self supporting panel so that it is plumb, on line and at the correct elevation. The row of panels is then backfilled, compacted and the process is repeated until the finished wall height is reached.

The EXCAVATION for this type of structure needs to be deep enough to allow placement of a granular footing for the grade of the bottom row of Panels. If foundation bearing capacity is adequate and uniform then little footing gravel is required. 150mm or 6 is standard for graded foundation.
Foundation Grade for Base Tier
Once the wall area is excavated a level compacted grade is prepared for the base tier of LOCK+LOAD wall "Stones".

Survey control points and wall line should be established where they will be easy to reference but remain undamaged.

For example, see the drawing below and note that vertically adjacent rows of LOCK+LOAD "Stones" DO NOT STACK upon the row below but bear completely upon the fill material! This allows for soil consolidation and prevents cracking.
Typical Wall Section
LOCK+LOAD can be used to construct walls of many sizes and configurations but in general all projects will require variations of the following equipment:
1. Skid Steer Bob-Cat or similar. For moving components and backfill to the wall.

2. Compactor - 1000 pound (470Kg) plate compactor is recommended. Equipment that can be lifted by hand is TOO small. Ride on roller compactors are often used on larger walls to compact the soil mass.

3. Hand tools: Cut-off saw, Panel Truck & Hook, square nosed shovels, 10lb. Sledge, steel stakes & string line, hand levels and site level, Magic Bar for hand grading, steel toed boots, gloves and hard hats for the construction crew.
Assemble Retaining Modules
L+L Stones Arrive by Bucket
LOCK+LOAD modules are moved to the wall grade and assembled near the final alignment.

Lifting Tool in Use
The LOCK+LOAD lifting tool is used to position the stones along the wall alignment.

Lifting Tool
To begin wall erection, the pallets of LOCK+LOAD are placed at spacing of about 30 lineal ft. or 10 meters along the wall and about 4 or 1.5 meters from the wall face. Each shipping pallet contains 12 panels and counterforts and weighs one ton (2000lb). Unpacking the pallets involves removing strapping and placing panels face down. Counterforts are hooked onto panels to assemble the retaining module.

To PLACE a panel it is moved so that the front bottom edge of the panel is on alignment and the side of the panel is against the previous panel in the row. On subsequent rows, in standard installations, the bottom front edge of the panel is placed directly BEHIND the top back edge of the lower panel.

To SET a panel is to plumb the back face and set the top of the panel to the required elevation . Note: tolerances are approximately 1/4 inch.
String Line
Corner Detail
Tolerances
As shown in the above diagram, the back face of the panel is set vertical or plumb by grading under the counterfort. The Panel is simply pushed forward and the grade under the counterfort adjusted to suit. Standard installations provide that with the back of the panel vertical the wall has a 10v/1h batter.

For a professional look, every 50 feet or so SET one panel with its back face vertical and place a long steel pin directly behind the panel. At each pin tie a string line at the proposed elevation of the top of the panel of this particular row. Run the string line down the backside of the top edge of the panels . Use this String Line as a guide, in much the same manner as masons would, adjusting the gravel at each panel to bring the back face on line and the top at elevation. Construction tolerances around a string line provide clean sharp lines to the structure. Built by a professional and built to last.

Granular Fill
Backfill Operation
Backfill Placement Using Heavy Equipment
Geogrid Placement with Strong Axis Perpendicular to Wall Face
Roller Compactor
Vibratory Compactor
Compaction All the Way to the Edge of the Retaining Wall !
The placement compact granular material for the embedment of the LOCK+LOAD counterforts ensures enduring performance of the structure. ALWAYS compact over the tail of the counterfort first then beside the panel ( Min. 95% Std. Proctor density ).
Landscaping & Capstones
Capstones and Landscaping Finish Up a Retaining Wall
[DOWNLOAD PDF CONSTRUCTION MANUAL]