Anchor Wall used to create sweeping entrance to Coppenhall Hall and Mews

22/06/2005

Coppenhall Hall and Mews, an exclusive development of just 11 new homes, is built on the site of an old dairy farm in the rolling Staffordshire countryside. To create an elegant curved driveway providing access to the homes, developer, Redfern Developments specified an Anchor segmental concrete retaining wall system from Maccaferri Ltd, specialists in retaining structures, slope reinforcement and erosion protection.

Constructed on a steep slope, the development comprises 8 converted barns leading up to three new townhouses built on the site of an old farm house. To provide vehicular access over the rising ground, an engineered retaining wall solution was required to stabilise the slope. Redfern considered a number of alternative solutions, but Anchor wall was selected as it could offer an engineered solution with the option of a curved structure.

Creating a sweeping gravel driveway, the Anchor wall has been finished in a mellow red colour 'Brindle’ complementing the old stock bricks used elsewhere on the development. In addition to providing the design and supply of materials, Maccaferri also provided advice and support during construction of the wall, which was undertaken by Redfern Developments site workers. Available in a wide choice of masonry colours, Anchor wall engineered retaining walls are constructed from high quality segmental blocks set into a foundation of compacted granular material.

Built-in locators speed up construction by ensuring the correct horizontal alignment of blocks and that a consistent 7° batter is achieved to enhance the appearance of the structure.

A 300mm layer of free draining aggregate is placed behind the blocks and a geotextile layer is used to separate this from the structural backfill. For all engineered retaining walls, layers of Paragrid, a polyester soil reinforcement geogrid manufactured by Linear Composites and distributed by Maccaferri Ltd, are used to reinforce the structural backfill.

Maccaferri Ltd specialises in the supply of gabions, geotextiles, geogrids and geomats. In addition to a full range of products for retaining structures, slope reinforcement and erosion protection, the company offers an in-house design and consultancy service.

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