|Contact|AB GO
Allan Block Logo

Products

Retaining Walls
Comprehensive retaining wall systems for residential and commercial projects
Patio Walls
Versatile wall solutions to create stunning outdoor living spaces
AB Fence
Sound barrier and privacy fencing solutions for residential and commercial applications

Photo Gallery

How-To

Professionals

Find A Store
PreviousLeed Chart
Download PDF

Charts and Tables

Standard Product Specifications (Minimums)

Table 2.2

Compressive Strength 3000 psi 20.67 MPA
Absorption Northern Climates 7.5 lb/ft3 120 kg/m3
Absorption Southern Climates 10 lb/ft3 160 kg/m3
Unit Density - Hollow 125 lb/ft3 2,002 kg/m3
Unit Shear Strength 645 lb/ft 9,406 kg/m

Reference ASTM 1372

Gravity Wall Heights

Use the chart below to find the maximum height that your retaining wall can be built before reinforcement is required. The gravity wall heights shown do not account for seismic loading. Check with a local engineer for assistance if you are in a seismic area.

Maximum Wall Heights - AB Gravity Walls
Condition above
retaining wall		 Soil Type Friction Angle 12° (Ref)
AB Stones only of AB Collection		 6° (Ref)
AB, AB Aztec, AB Metro, AB Europa Collection		 6° (Ref)
AB Fieldstone Collection (SAU)		 6° (Ref)
AB Fieldstone Collection (LAU)		 3° (Ref)
AB Vertical only of AB Collection
Gravity-Level-Wall Clay 27° 3 ft 6 in
1.0m		 3 ft 2 in
0.9m		 3 ft 7 in
1.1m		 5 ft 10 in
1.8m		 2 ft 11 in
0.9m
Silty Sand 32° 5 ft 4 in
1.6m		 4 ft 7 in
1.4m		 5.0 ft
1.5m 		8 ft 6 in
2.6m		 3 ft 9 in
1.1m
Sand/Gravel 36° 3 ft 6 in
1.0m		 3 ft 2 in
0.9m		 3 ft 7 in
1.1m		 5 ft 10 in
1.8m		 2 ft 11 in
0.9m
Gravity-Surcharge Clay 27° 1 ft 8 in
0.5m		 1 ft 4 in
0.4m		 1 ft 8 in
0.5m		 4 ft
1.2m		 1 ft 1 in
0.3m
Silty Sand 32° 3 ft 10 in
1.2m		 3 ft 1 in
0.9m		 3 ft 7 in
1.1m		 7 ft
2.1m		 2 ft 4 in
0.7m
Sand/Gravel 36° 4 ft 6 in
1.4m		 3 ft 6 in
1m		 4 ft 2 in
1.3m		 8 ft
2.4m		 2 ft 6 in
0.8m
Gravity-Slope Clay 27° 2 ft 8 in
0.8m		 2 ft 4 in
0.7m		 2 ft 8 in
0.8m		 4 ft 4 in
1.3m		 2 ft 1 in
0.6m
Silty Sand 32° 4 ft 8 in
1.4m		 4 ft 1 in
1.2m		 4 ft 4 in
1.3m		 7.0 ft 4 in
2.3m		 3 ft 2 in
0.9m
Sand/Gravel 36° 5 ft 10 in
1.8m		 4 ft 7 in
1.4m		 5 ft 1 in
1.5m		 8 ft 7 in
2.6m		 3 ft 9 in
1.1m
Wall Heights listed are for reference only. This table is based on clay soil having an internal friction angle of 27° (Ref) or better and a sandy soil having an internal friction angle of 32° (Ref) or better. All heights based on exposed wall heights and include a cap block. The gravity wall heights shown above do not account for seismic loading. Check with a local engineer for assistance if you are in a seismic area. Final designs for construction purposes must be performed by a local registered professional engineer, using the actual conditions of the proposed site.
*The surcharge loading category above assumes a solid surface such as concrete, asphalt or pavers having a suitable supporting subgrade.

Soils Chart for Retaining Walls

Table 2.1

Soil Type Friction Angle (Ref) Bearing Capacity Equivalent Fluid Pressure
Clay 27° 2,500 lb/ft2 119.700kPa 50 lb/ft3
7.9kN/m3
Mixed Soils 32° 3,500 lb/ft2 167.580kPa 35 lb/ft
5.5kN/m3
Sand/Gravel 36° 4,000 lb/ft2 191.520kPa 30 lb/ft3
4.7kN/m3

AB Setback Chart

Table 2.2

Setback Wall Height
4 ft
1.2 m		 6 ft
1.8 m		 8 ft
2.4 m 		10 ft
3.0 m
AB Stones only of the AB Collection 10.0 in
255 mm		 15.0 in
380 mm 		20.0.in
510 mm 		25.0 in
635 mm
AB, AB Aztec, AB Metro, AB Europa
and AB Fieldstone Collection
(excluding AB Stones & AB Vertical) 		5.0 in
125 mm		 7.50 in
190 mm		 10.0 in
255 mm		 12.5 in
320 mm
AB Vertical only of the AB Collection 2.5 in
65 mm		 3.75 in
95 mm		 5.0 in
125 mm 		6.25 in
160 mm

All values are provided for reference only.

Typical Friction Angle and Soil Unit Weights Compacted to 95% Standard Proctor

Table 3.1

Soil Type Soil Friction Angle Soil Unit Weight (pcf)
Crushed stone, gravel 34° + 110 - 135
Clean sands 32 - 34° 100 - 130
Silty sands/sandy silt 28 - 30° 110 - 125
Sandy Clay 26 - 28° 100 - 120
Other Soils Determined by testing

All soil friction angles and unit weights are provided as reference only and are subject to change based on geographic area and site conditions.

AB Radius Chart for the Base Course

Use this chart to find the minimum recommended radius at the base of the wall. Note all lengths, dimensions and setbacks are approximate.

Table 6.1

AB, AB Aztec, AB Europa,
AB Metropolitan Collection
(full size blocks)		 4 ft
1.2 m		 6 ft
1.8 m		 8 ft
2.4 m		 10 ft
3.0 m
3 degree (Ref) 4 ft 9 in
1.43 m		 5 ft 0 in
1.52 m		 5 ft 4 in
1.6 m		 5 ft 8 in
1.7 m
6 degree (Ref) 5 ft 2 in
1.6 m		 5 ft 6 in
1.7 m		 5 ft 11 in
1.8 m		 6 ft 4in
1.9 m
12 degree (Ref) 5 ft 6 in
1.7 m		 6 ft 0 in
1.8 m		 6 ft 6 in
2.0 m		 7 ft 0 in
2.1 m
AB Fieldstone Collection
812 facing unit w/short anchoring unit (SAU)		 4 ft
1.2 m		 6 ft
1.8 m		 8 ft
2.4 m		 10 ft
3.0 m
6 degree (Ref) 6 ft 7 in
2.0 m		 7 ft 0 in
2.1 m		 7 ft 5 in
2.3 m		 7 ft 10 in
2.4 m
AB, AB Aztec & AB Europa Collection (half size blocks) 2 ft
0.6 m		 4 ft
1.2 m		 6 ft
1.8 m
6 degree (Ref) 3 ft 0 in
0.9 m		 3 ft 5 in
1.0 m		 3 ft 10 in
1.15 m

PreviousLeed Chart