The success of the project is completely dependant upon correct installation and proper attention to detail during the construction phase is imperative.

The following installation guides (downloadable below) are in two main categories.

Most Anchor walls with the exception of Landmark are built in a very similar way. Each block system has some device to create a consistent setback and for proper alignment of the blocks. In the case of blocks such as Diamond and Bayfield, a rear lip on the bottom of the block locks over the block in the course beneath and in Vertica a locator lug on the top of the block engages with 'cams' on the blocks above.

Landmark walls are a little different and separate instructions follow to describe their construction. However, the basic principles are the same whichever system is used.

As well as basic principles, also included are sections that illustrate additional scenario's which you may encounter on an Anchor Wall project, such as fence and guardrail details, terraced walls and walls in water. In such situations these elements of the construction must be fully designed by the project engineer and so the finally approved detail may differ from the proposals shown in these pages.

Additionally, we are often asked for step-by-step instructions for some of the commonly encountered details on Anchor walls. Help is at hand in the Installation Bulletins downloadable below Above all, a few simple principles should remain uppermost in the minds of those building an Anchor wall.

Safe operating procedures should be planned and established from the beginning of the project. Preparation is key.

• The wall location must be accurately set out prior to work starting - special attention must be paid to radii
• Excavation for the leveling pad must be strictly to the lines and levels shown on the drawings
• The wall should be started at the lowest elevation
• Each course of block work needs to be levelled side to side AND front to back - this is a commonly neglected point and is the easiest way to build a wall badly
• If reinforcement is used, it must be placed at the correct elevation as shown on the drawings
• Proper attention must be paid to prescribed reinforcement lengths and correct alignment to the wall face
• Reinforcement should be lightly pre-tensioned and pinned in place at the back of the reinforced zone prior to backfill
• Plant and machinery should never be driven directly upon the reinforcement
• Drainage behind the wall must be installed correctly. If the backfill behind an Anchor wall is not drained properly, this WILL lead to problems so there is no room for shortcuts in this regard.
• When compacting behind the wall, only hand operated compaction equipment can be used within 1.2 metres of the wall face. Failure to follow this advice will lead to problems with the alignment of the face
• The finished wall should be protected from the effects of surface water run-off - a drainage swale at the top can often be used to direct surface water away from the top of the wall