Channel Walls Slow Water to Protect Neighborhood
Engineers chose Redi-Rock gravity walls for the channel
THE CHALLENGE
The City of Lenexa, Kansas was in need of a solution to stabilize the banks of Brentwood Stream. The stream flows through a residential area and was beginning to erode the banks of the properties adjacent to it. The City was looking for a product to prevent further erosion as well as to provide flood control for the area. Many of the buildings and fences near the stream were built too close to the edge of the banks making it impossible to use geogrid reinforcement in most areas.
THE SOLUTION
City Officials looked to St. Joe Concrete Products in St. Joseph, Missouri to provide a solution. A Redi-Rock gravity retaining wall was the product of choice for St. Joe because of its ability to utilize massive, one-ton concrete blocks to harness the power of gravity. The large scale of the blocks allow walls to be built much higher than other wall systems without using geogrid or tie backs. This along with the natural rock aesthetics and easy-to-access design resources made Redi-Rock an easy choice for the project.
Redi-Rock 9in (230mm) setback blocks were perfect for the areas that couldn't use geogrid. This block makes it easy to reach desired wall heights with minimum excavation. 41in (1030mm) and 28in (710mm) gravity blocks were also used to prevent further erosion and maintain control of the flood waters.
The tiered wall design of this Redi-Rock Limestone gravity wall was intended to protect the properties along Brentwood Stream against flood damage and erosion.
THE OUTCOME
The project was constructed in 3 phases with block installation that began in March 2007 and finished in October 2007. The completed wall was 38,000 square feet (3530 square meters) and was built using the Redi-Rock Limestone texture blocks.
The City of Lenexa has had nothing but good comments about the finished wall. "Redi-Rock was an excellent product for this project!" says Gerald Heckman of St. Joe Concrete Products.
The Redi-Rock gravity wall provided flood control as engineered when high water levels flowed through Brentwood Stream.
PROJECT DETAILS
Project: Brentwood Stream Stabilization and Flood Control Project #42 Owner: City of Lenexa, Kansas Block Manufacturer: St. Joe Concrete Products Engineer: Creal Clark and Seifert Installer: Redford Construction Location: Lenexa, Kansas Year Built: 2007
PRODUCTS FEATURED IN THIS CASE STUDY
Gravity Retaining Wall Blocks - Massive, one-ton Redi-Rock gravity blocks rely on the sheer mass of each block to hold back the earth.
Limestone Texture - Redi-Rock Limestone blocks mimic the texture of natural split Limestone.