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Levelling the way for Shoprite Checkers


Concrete block retaining walls are often used to stabilise the slopes built during the construction of level platforms for new commercial or residential developments, such as for the new Shoprite Checkers on Drakenstein Road, Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa. This site is nestled on gently sloping land between the Berg River to the west and the Drakenstein mountain range to the east, requiring slope stabilising measures.

Level ground with Terraforce

Terraforce earth-retaining blocks lend themselves ideally to providing aesthetically pleasing erosion control for any such cut and fill slopes, their half-moon interlock easily handling convex and concave curves. The blocks are also designed in such a way that wall angles can vary significantly from vertical to shallow, able to adapt to many different site conditions. Added to this, the unique hollow-core design of the blocks allows you to make plants part of your wall design while letting water drain back into the ground.

Aerial footage of a Terraforce wall at a new Retail development

Aerial footage of a Terraforce wall at a new Retail development

The walls at the Shoprite Checkers Boschenmeer were engineered by Ekcon Engineers, and installed by Dassenberg Retaining Systems, who were appointed by CSV Construction in July 2020. First, the site footings were excavated, cast with reinforced concrete and starter bars, followed by the wall installation – 22000 Terraforce L12 blocks in charcoal, with a round face finish. Most of the blocks were filled with concrete and reinforced with steel rebar, while some were filled with Corona topsoil mix to allow for eventual planting. Additionally, A2 geofabric was used as a filter material and double skin block rows were used on wall sections higher than 4m.

Charcoal round face finish Terraforce wall, Boschenmeer, Paarl

Charcoal round face finish Terraforce wall, Boschenmeer, Paarl

The result is a beautifully textured charcoal retaining wall that will eventually frame the new retail complex and apportion extra space for palm trees and further landscaping.

Most of the blocks were filled with concrete and reinforced with steel rebar, while some were filled with Corona topsoil mix to allow for eventual planting

Most of the blocks were filled with concrete and reinforced with steel rebar, while some were filled with Corona topsoil mix to allow for eventual planting

Project participants

Engineer: Rikus Steyn of Ekcon Engineers and Project Managers
Quantity Surveyor: Andre Barrow of CSV Construction
Main Contractor: CSV Construction
Sub-Contractor: Dassenberg Retaining Systems

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Shopping precinct with Terraforce walls

Multi-purpose retaining walls at popular Cape Winery

Terraforce
Reversable hollow-core retaining blocks

4 Huguenot Avenue Oranjezicht
Cape Town
Western Cape
South Africa
8001

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