Masonry and concrete retaining walls

Masonry can be thought of several smaller structures connected with a structural enhancer , steel, that is embedded in the joining material, mortar or pin-lock. While, concrete is generally a single structure with the structural enhancing steel fully embedded into the formation of concrete from its precast states. Pouring the precast concrete or liquified concrete into a containment area with a substructure of steel is the general idea of construction. Both concrete and block should have short steam walls T'd off the main that are buried under the retained material. Both have plusses for application. Block is easy to repair, replaced, can be stepped with coarsing or vertical. Concrete is stronger when proper egineering specs are applied , can be vertical and more resistant to adverse conditions. If you look into the civil uses of concrete you'll see the benifits of it's us over masonry as far as strength, but if the application is landscaping block could be much easier and attractive.

my best,

Frank

Thanks for the quick and helpful reply Frank

another aspect, masonry is suitable for vertical structures that experience no tenstion since there is little adhesion. Thus you cannot make a horizonal wall (ceiling), unless you vault/arch it so each member is in compression.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/vaulted

as you are comparing masonry to a reinforced concrete retaining wall, you are probably reffering to a RUBBLE MASONRY. these two types of structure, both of them resist horizontal forces (solid or liquid, eg. water & soil) which block masonry (bricks, hollow core blocks, etc) or stone masonry (grouted riprap) is no longer applicable.

it is obvious that reinforced concrete retaining wall (RCRW) has a steel reinforcement while rubble masonry (RM) has no reinforcement.

on RCRW, horizontal forces resist by concrete & steel (bending stress) while on RM, it is purely resist by friction at the base. sometimes, cut-off-wall are constructed to increase the reisisting force on RCRW & RM.

for dam construction, rubble masonry (ogee dam) is applicable rather than retaining wall. excess water will just slide down smoothly on the surface of the ogee dam while on the retaining wall, abrupt drop of water and will damage the base of the RCRW.

as mentioned earlier, RM resist horizontal forces by friction. increasing the weight of the structure increases the friction. It is therefore RM is not applicable on limited areas.

What do you plan on using the wall for?

Cost wise concrete walls very standard, concrete masonry walls are load bearing walls and also no leakage, for retaining purpose concrete walls are standard,