Precast Concrete Retaining Walls: Infrastructure projects across Australia are benefitting from an innovative new precast concrete retaining wall system, TechWall™, introduced to the market locally by Reinforced Earth. TechWall™ is designed to deliver significant enhancements in construction safety and speed, combining precast and in-situ concrete construction to create a highly efficient and robust counterfort retaining wall.
Reinforced Earth introduced this cutting-edge technology to Australia in 2023, manufacturing full-height facing panels with pre-attached perpendicular counterforts. The precast panels are delivered to the site, where the integrated counterforts on the rear side are joined to a structural concrete footing, which is cast-in-place. The process ensures a seamless and efficient installation.
The counterfort precast retaining wall solution is a good fit for sites presenting a soil bearing capacity that allows for a shallow foundation. The TechWall™ system can reach up to 15 m in height. The wall unit width can vary between 1.20m and 2.40m, and other widths can be manufactured when necessary.
TechWall™ in Action: Adelaide’s Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project
One of the first major projects to implement TechWall™ was the Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project in Adelaide’s inner suburbs. The project, led by the PTP Alliance (comprising McConnell Dowell, Arup, Mott Macdonald, and the South Australian Government’s Department for Infrastructure and Transport), showcases the effectiveness of TechWall™ in real-world applications.
Read our case study on the award-winning project here.
This type of precast concrete retaining walls are frequently used in civil works not only for wingwalls and abutments, but also as an independent retaining structure. Common applications include:
- Overpass and underpass abutments
- Structures retaining a slope
- Hydraulic works, such as river channellings
The Benefits of TechWall™
TechWall™ reduces excavation requirements in cut-and-fill situations, while ensuring cleaner sites and less disruption to the surroundings; the solution eliminates the need for vertical formwork and requires little or no scaffolding during installation. The innovative design offers several other advantages over traditional retaining wall systems, including:
- Increased Safety: The combination of precast and in-situ construction reduces the need for extensive on-site work, minimizing potential hazards.
- Speed of Construction: Precast panels with integrated counterforts streamline the installation process, significantly cutting down on construction time. In fact, rapid installation procedures reduce construction time by 50% or more.
- Robust Performance: The counterfort design provides exceptional stability and durability, making it ideal for various infrastructure applications.
- Sustainability: Using thin panels reduces the carbon emission and consumption of concrete, making TechWall™ a more environmentally sustainable option.
Learn more about TechWall™ here
Commitment to Modernising Infrastructure
The introduction of the TechWall™ precast concrete wall solution to Australia by Reinforced Earth, underscores a commitment to continued innovation in precast manufacturing and geotechnical engineering, with the goal of providing robust and efficient solutions for modernising infrastructure.
Reinforced Earth Australia is a subsidiary of Terre Armée Group, which has designed and supplied 1300 projects and close to 1,000,000 square meters of TechWall™ around the world, proving that while new to local markets, the solution is a tried and tested precast retaining wall solution.
For more information on TechWall™ and how it can benefit your next project, contact your local Reinforced Earth Australia office. Discover more about Reinforced Earth’s precast solutions (RECO Precast) here.
