Different types of pre-cast retaining walls are used in many construction works. One of these is the king post wall, which looks different from other types. Using the proper type of retaining wall is necessary because it makes a huge difference in the property and the area’s safety. Concrete retaining walls are effective in preventing water build-up and soil erosion.
There are several things to know about king post walls, which you might use to protect your commercial property.
What is a king post retaining wall?
A king post wall comprises two parts—the metal king posts and the in-fill panels. Most builders and construction specialists working with hard ground use them. King posts are cost-effective at retaining soil or earth, and builders use them temporarily or permanently.
In construction projects where the workers cannot use sheet piles due to the hardness of the ground, they drill the ground to insert posts at pre-determined centres. They later in-fill the posts horizontally with pre-cast concrete, cladding, timber, steel sheet piling, or architectural pre-cast.
There are several options for the in-fill panels so that you can customise them according to the look architects want for the commercial property. For example, it is possible to customise pre-cast concrete to the size you want. Another option is architectural pre-cast, with a sleek finish and various designs to meet the artistic requirements of the building. On the other hand, steel sheet piling is lighter and reusable, while others opt for new or recycled wood. Cladding adds another dimension to the king post retaining walls, as you can add coloured glass, stone, bricks, and other products to enhance its aesthetics.
As an earth retaining wall, king posts are best for ground and rocky areas that are difficult to manage. Likewise, you can use king posts for flood defence, cellars, basements, and mound barriers.
The benefits of using king post retaining walls
- Quick installation
One of the key benefits of king post walls is their fast installation since they are pre-cast. Aside from being cost-effective, this retaining wall is very versatile. It is the best option for challenging grounds, and they are silent and vibrationless. Their construction is easy even when placed in tight boundaries that necessitate setting them up against different structures.
- Useful for other applications
Aside from the applications already mentioned, you can use king posts retaining walls as bearing piles, especially for the support of superstructures with steel frames. Thus, you do not need to build pile caps on-site. Moreover, you can construct the king post walls from lower-level platforms, saving you the cost of building other platform levels to construct piled wall systems adjacent to it. Further, king posts are equally effective as exterior walls of your property, and you can install them at varying heights to accommodate different terrain conditions and uneven ground.
- On-site adjustments
At times, some conditions require on-the-spot adjustments. With king post retaining walls, making adjustments at the construction site is easier. With this feature, the project will not suffer from disruptions or delays.
Most construction projects need retaining walls to protect the property and assets from destruction or collapse due to soil erosion. While there are several options, king post retaining walls are exceptionally effective for hard and rocky ground.
