Technical Data Sheet Timber Garden Walls 8

1 Timber Queensland Technical data Sheet 8 - Timber Garden WallsRevised February 2004 - Page 1 IntroductionTimber sleepers or round poles and logs can be used to createeffective and relatively inexpensive Garden edges, steps and wallsto terrace sloping data Sheet contains Timber Queensland s recommendationsfor the construction of Timber Garden Walls up to 1 metre retaining Walls greater than 1 metre high refer to TechnicalData Sheet Approval and CertificationLocal authorities generally do not require building approval orengineer certification for retaining Walls up to 1 metre high. Walls (irrespective of height) closer than metres to a building, andretaining Walls greater than 1 metre high will generally requirebuilding approval and certification by an ConditionsThe sizes and other recommendations in this data Sheet assumethat posts are embedded into firm natural ground ( stiff clay,shale or dense sand), with a maximum ground slope of 1 in design may be required for steeper slopes and poorsubgrade soil conditions such as uncompacted is no Australian Standard or other grading requirement forlandscaping Timber .

2 The quality of sawn sleepers and roundlogs can vary greatly between different sold for landscaping is likely to contain natural characteristicssuch as knots, gum veins, heart, insect damage, want, wane etc.,and there could be some bow, cupping, twisting etc. Where ahigher than normal appearance or performance is required, timbershould be selected with limitations on the size and number ofthese : Structurally graded Timber ( F14 hardwood and F7treated pine) will have prescribed limits for natural characteristicsand will generally be higher quality than landscaping logs and sleepers shall be preservative treated to hazardlevel H4 or shall be durability Class 1 or 2. Hardwood containingsapwood shall be preservative treated to H4 or Slope 1:1 Backfill100 mm TopsoilGrass or MulchWalesSlope topof postDrainage PipeGeotextileConcreteGravel100 mmEmbedmentDepthWallheightmin1:10batterm ax 1:6slopemax 1:6slopeFigure 1 - Typical Retaining Wall ConstructionRetaining Walls (up to 1 m high) Timber retaining Walls up to one metre high can be constructed asshown in Figure sizes and post embedment depths shall be as outlined inTables 1 and 2 for preservative treated softwood and hardwood, exceeding 400 mm high should have a 1 : 10 batter as.

3 The batter allows for the wall to have some lateralmovement and still appear holes shall have a 100 mm layer of course gravel installedprior to placing posts and backfilling with : No-fines concrete is recommended for hardwood up to 400 mm high may have concealed posts, with walesfixed to the outside of posts with hot dipped galvanised battenscrews,coach screws or bolts. Walls above 400 mm shall have walesbehind posts. Typical methods of positioning posts at ends andcorners are shown on Figure : Wales may require temporary fixing to posts with wire ties,skew nails or batten top of posts shall be cut with a slight slope to shed water andshall be sealed with a preservative shall be provided behind Walls exceeding 400 mm highto prevent additional loads due to the build up of ground slotted polyethylene drainage pipe shall be provided at the baseof the wall, discharging to a suitable outlet.

4 To prevent backfillmaterial from flowing through gaps in the wall and to assist indrainage, geotextile should be placed to the inside face of walesand between the drainage pipe and the shall be a free flowing material such as ashes, sand orgravel not clay. Backfill shall be installed no sooner than threedays after concreting Garden Walls (Retaining Walls up to 1 metre high) Recommended Practice / February 2004 Recommended Practice / February 2004 Recommended Practice / February 2004 Recommended Practice / February 2004 Recommended Practice / February 2004 Issued by: Timber Queensland LimitedIssued by: Timber Queensland LimitedIssued by: Timber Queensland LimitedIssued by: Timber Queensland LimitedIssued by.

5 Timber Queensland LimitedTechnical data Sheet8 Timber Queensland Technical data Sheet 8 - Timber Garden WallsRevised February 2004 - Page 2 Garden EdgesSingle sleepers and rounds can be used to form Garden edges can be self supporting or may require restraining atcorners and corner and end restraints are shown in Figure 3. Alternatively,posts can be positioned as shown on Figure sleepers can be used to form steps or to terrace gently can be restrained by one of the methods shown in Figures 2or 3. Alternatively, end restraint can be achieved by fixing toretaining Walls as shown on Figure options include bricks, pavers, gravel, compacted earth, ortimber sleepers on flat .Figure 3 -Typical Methods of Restraining Garden EdgesFigure 4 - Typical Sleeper Stepsa) Overlay (for sloping sites)b) Butt Jointc) Mitre Jointspacing to suittread material( Timber /pavers, etc)SECTION VIEWS lope topof postsBatten screws or100 x hot dippedgalvanised nailsFigure 2 - Positioning Posts at Ends and Cornersb) Round Timber posts and walesa) Timber sleeper posts and walesOptional concealed postsNote: Only suitable forwalls up to 400 mm highHot dipped galvanisedbatten screws, bolts orcoach screwsCorner postarrangementRetainedearthNote.

6 Wales may befixed to posts with hotdipped galvanisednails, screws or bolts,or held with temporarywire ties until backfillis installedMaximum cantilever1/8 post spacingMaximum cantilever1/8 post spacingRoundtimberwalesNote: Wales may befixed to posts with hotdipped galvanisednails, screws or bolts,or held with temporarywire ties until back fillis installed Timber Queensland Technical data Sheet 8 - Timber Garden WallsRevised February 2004 - Page 3 Table 1 Preservative Treated SoftwoodMember ReferMember ReferMember ReferMember ReferMember Refer Post Spacing Post Spacing Post Spacing Post Spacing Post Spacing 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 2400 2400 2400 2400 2400 Figure Figure

7 Figure Figure Figure Wall Height Wall Height Wall Height Wall Height Wall Height4004004004004006006006006006008001 00040060080010004006008001000 Sleeper PostsSize (b x d)150 x150 150 x 75200 x 75N/A150 x 50 150 x 75200 x75N/A200 x100 200 x100N/AN/A 5aHole Post Thickness (t)9090901259090901251001001252 X 125 5bHole Round Post Dia. ( )100125150180100125175200100150200225 Posts 5cHole Round Post Dia. ( )100100125150100100150175100125175200 Posts 5dHole Wales 5eSize (b x d)150 x 50 150 x 50200 x 50 200 x 50150 x 50 150 x 50200 x 50 200 x 75200x100200x100200x100200x100 Slab Wales 5f Thickness (t)9090 90 9090 90 9090 90 100100125 Round Wales 5g Dia.

8 ( )7575757575757575100100100100 Split Wales 5h Dia. ( )757510012575100125N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A( round)Winged Split 5i Thickness (t)100100100100100100100100N/AN/AN/AN/AW alesFigure 5 - Post/Wale Arrangements(5a)(5c)(5b)(5d)(5e)(5f)(5g) (5h)(5i) Timber Queensland Technical data Sheet 8 - Timber Garden WallsRevised February 2004 - Page 4 Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of advice given, Timber QueenslandLimited cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from the use of the Queensland LimitedACN 092 686 756 ABN 50 092 686 756500 Brunswick Street, Fortitude ValleyBrisbane Queensland 4006PO Box 2014, Fortitude Valley BC Qld 4006 Phone: (07) 3254 1989 Fax: (07) 3254 1964 Website.

9 2 Hardwood (refer Figures 5a & 5e)Member Wall HeightMember Wall HeightMember Wall HeightMember Wall HeightMember Wall Height4004004004004006006006006006008008 0080080080010001000100010001000 Post Spacing 1200 Post Spacing 1200 Post Spacing 1200 Post Spacing 1200 Post Spacing 1200 PostsSize (b x d)200 x 50 200 x 75 200 x 75 200 x100 Hole (b x d)200 x 50 200 x 50 200 x 50 200 x 50 Post Spacing 1500 Post Spacing 1500 Post Spacing 1500 Post Spacing 1500 Post Spacing 1500 PostsSize (b x d)200 x 50 200 x 75 200 x 75 200 x100 Hole (b x d)

10 200 x 50 200 x 50 200 x 50 200 x 50 Post Spacing 2400 Post Spacing 2400 Post Spacing 2400 Post Spacing 2400 Post Spacing 2400 PostsSize (b x d)200 x 50 200 x 75 200 x 75 200 x100 Hole (b x d)200 x 50 200 x 50 200 x 50 200 x 50 Safe WorkingWorking with Timber produces dust particles. Protection ofthe eyes, nose and mouth when sanding, sawing andplaning is highly recommended. Refer to toolmanufacturers for safe working recommendations forparticular items of of Offcuts and WasteAs with all treated Timber , do not burn offcuts or treated offcuts and sawdust should bedisposed of by approved local authority methods.