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With a forever expanding, and scaling modern infrastructure in New Zealand, structures require a variety of engineering parameters. Interbloc and Stonebloc are designed to offer a range of solutions, adhering to different engineering strengths.
Our concrete blocks can be constructed to form a variety of wall types, with different reinforcement options to suit the needs of the structural design. We have put together an easy list of our wall types and reinforcement options for civil engineering.
Gravity Wall
This wall uses the force and power of gravity through the mass of the blocks. Gravitational force is the process of object mass pulling towards each other. The Stonebloc modular retaining wall involves stacking the blocks on top of one another, utilising the supplementary support of the unique interlocking design of the blocks. This creates a shear key in either horizontal direction, ensuring security, strength and resistance to movement and overturning.
Williams Corporation is known for constructing high quality homes, and team up with their long-term civil contractors DiggersNZ to build residential retaining walls at St Leonards Road in Auckland. The project site manager boasted how pleased he was with the Stonebloc system, and how simple the installation process was. Given the walls rely on gravity and sheer mass, glues or grouts are not needed. By using this system you save on time, labour, materials, and financial costs. Not to mention, the durability and reliability of Stonebloc walls and their benefits of sustainable outcomes are unmatched compared to timber retaining walls.
Cantilever Wall/ Vertically Reinforced Walls
The wall is vertically reinforced using the Reidbar system and anchored into the concrete foundation. The foundation is usually a substantial element cast into the excavator ground. These walls are vertically reinforced with steel bars inserted through central 60mm reinforcing ducts at 600mm centres. It's only available to the Interbloc range.
(Reidbar from a vertically reinforced Interbloc wall prior to being cut)
This wall option was used to build the settlement ponds for the Waterview Tunnel. During large tunnelling processes, lots of excess water was produced and this water needed a safe storage and treatment solution. Interbloc provided high-quality concrete blocks for the project. McConnell Dowell the partner of Well Connected Alliance, who were tasked with the project, chose Interbloc
because they could be easily removed at the end of the project. Tehy even used the buyback guarantee. This choice saved the team time as the blocks are versatile and flexible.
(Vertically reinforced settlement pond for the Waterview Tunnel, made with Interbloc)
MSE Wall
An MSE or Mechanically Stabilised Earth wall is a structure comprised of alternating layers of backfill and soil reinforcement elements secured to a wall. The interaction of soil and backfill creates a secure reinforcement system through friction and tension.
MSE is an engineering technique used to reinforce high wall loads. It can be typically used in building bridge culverts and tall retaining walls. It fastens the wall elements such as Interbloc deep into the horizontal retained soil with a material that resembles a mat.
For Stonebloc MSE walls, we can build 5m high with a 24 kPa surcharge. This method is ideal for building higher walls with greater load masses. The culvert at Hugh Green Group's Park Green Development is a great example of Stonebloc MSE walls in action.
The South Waikato Industrial Processes team selected Interbloc to replace a failing timber retaining wall. They chose Interbloc for its speedy construction, changeable walls, and cost-efficiency. The resulting retaining wall was constructed within 7 days, with compacted gravel foundations. The team could build the wall up to 5.4m high.
(Interbloc MSE Wall created for Industrial Processors)
MSE with Vertically Reinforced Wall
This method combines both the MSE system and the vertically reinforced system. Civil engineering contractors, Fulton Hogan, chose Interbloc for the storage of their asphalt material in Silverdale. With the equivalent of over 2000 tonnes of material, the Interbloc retaining walls utilised the MSE vertically reinforced wall by installing geogrids into the blocks during the manufacturing process. This meant Interbloc could prove its ability to allow a high surcharge capacity reinforced wall. The geogrid was then used in the backfill of soil behind the retaining wall and secured to the blocks.
(Vertical reinforcing and geogrid was used in Fulton Hogan Silverdale's upgraded asphalt yard)
Given the constant growth and development of Aotearoa, New Zealand, we understand the importance of offering a range of solutions for various engineering requirements. Interbloc and Stonebloc are our solution. Our concrete blocks can build a variety of wall types, using different options of reinforcement to suit a wide range of projects and structures. Furthermore, they are durable, flexible, can be easily deconstructed and are a cost and time efficient solution compared to competing options.
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