The best facts and details you should know about king post walls

The king post retaining wall has been in existence for centuries, and it was first referred to as a soldier pile, which it is still known as today. As a matter of fact, king post walls were first used with great success in the 1800s, particularly in large cities like London, Berlin, and New York. These walls are still making a significant impact in construction sites worldwide, and there are many reasons for their popularity. But what else should you know about king post retaining walls? Here are the best facts and details you should know.

What is it?

A king post is a column of steel installed at intervals along a retaining wall's line, and it is usually centred between 1 metre and 3 metres. The spaces in between each post are then filled right over the retaining height using various solutions, but one of the most common fills is a precast concrete panel.

The design of the king post retaining wall should adhere to British or Eurocode standards, such as the king post walls available at www.jpconcrete.co.uk/king-post-retaining-wall/. You can use them on either a permanent or temporary basis. Their design allows them to withstand the elements for as long as five decades.

The installation

The installation method for king post retaining walls uses various equipment (such as a mini piling or large diameter rig or a high-powered CFA), and these can then drill a hole and fill it with concrete. Afterwards, you can install an H beam, whereby you can then insert the precast panels in between the beam webs.

The advantages

King post retaining walls have served plenty of construction sites in the past, and they come with more than a few merits. One apparent advantage of the king post wall is its easy and fast installation and construction compared to other wall systems. It can also be less costly than other systems, like concrete pile systems or sheet pile systems.

The installation process is also quite versatile, allowing you to make adjustments as necessary right on the site. Along with this, a king post wall is quick to install, as mentioned, which provides for a much smoother transition at your site and prevents any delays.

One other merit of a king post wall over other wall systems is its versatility for different applications. You can use it for various retention purposes, of course, and you can also choose it in different heights according to your required wall system. Apart from this, you can install king post retaining walls on differing ground or terrain conditions, including hard rock.

A king post wall is useful as an embankment and as a flood defence, and you can also install it in a basement and other underground facilities. Installing it isn’t complex, but another benefit worth noting is that its installation is relatively free from vibrations and noiseless.

Since your king post retaining wall can be made off-site, your site will not experience any disruption or safety issues, and there is less waste production as well. The quality of the resulting wall is also greatly magnified, leaving you with a retaining wall system that is as strong and durable as can be.

Image attributed to JPConcrete.co.uk