hartcreek wrote:
It looks ok but I do not see any buttress on the back side.
A buttress would not be behind the wall, it would be in front of it. Since that wall is short and bonded, and it's not really "retaining" anything, it's fine.
JohnMBrowning wrote:
If you are using blocks with the lip on the back/bottom ---- be sure to remove any casting spall from right along the lip --- there would always be some that would make the blocks rock or not 'face up' right. And if you are curving a wall with lip blocks - be sure to hammer off the lip so that it is below flush with the face. I got to the point where I would remove the lip completely so that I could maintain the proper step back on the face --- otherwise the curves REALLY step back.
Good advice on removing the "spall", not so good on removing the retaining lip on the back of the blocks. The lip is what locks it together from forces from the rear, "Retaining" pressure from behind.
If you remove that lip, it's just blocks stacked on each other that will move without a lot of pressure. If you aren't really "retaining" anything, go for it but i still would not do that. The Lip is there for a reason....engineering.
Corners...you can't do 90 degree corners with those blocks, or they will set back. 45 degree's is about max. I have a wall built from the larger blocks in my backyard that is actually a "Retaining" wall for a hill.
Properly done with a Concrete footing it will be level and strong for decades. I did mine 15 years ago and it's as level and locked into place as the day i built it.