Construction Procedures

All the components required for complete on-site erection of a T-WALL® structure are supplied and delivered to site by SHAW PIPE. A SHAW PIPE representative is available at the start of wall erection to provide hands on technical assistance. An overview of the straightforward construction steps for a T-WALL® structure follows:

FOUNDATION PREPARATION: The foundation is prepared by grading level and proof rolling the area where the T-WALL® units are to be placed. Unsuitable materials below subgrade are removed and replaced with compacted granular backfill.

LEVELING PAD: A nonstructural, non-reinforced concrete leveling pad is placed along the line of the wall face to provide a working platform for placement of the T-WALL® units. A chalk line is established on the leveling pad to mark the front face of the wall.

FIRST T-WALL® COURSE: Staring at a fixed point such as a corner of the wall or an existing structure the first course of units is set using the chalk line on the leveling pad to line up the front faces.

BACKFILLING: Prior to initial backfilling a 300mm wide filter fabric is cut into lengths equal to the height of the wall at each vertical joint. These strips are placed across the vertical joints between the units to prevent migration of the backfill material through the joints. The Backfill material is dumped directly on the tops of the stems to fill both sides equally and prevent lateral movement of the unit. The backfill is compacted in 300mm lifts.

SUBSEQUENT T-WALL® COURSES: Joint material is placed in the horizontal joints between the units at the front face to prevent concrete to concrete contact and to act as a gasket against loss of fines through these joints. Precast shear keys are placed in the blockouts in the top of the stems to provide an alignment guide and prevent movement of the units during backfillling. Backfilling and compaction of each lift of T-WALL® units is completed before the next course is started.