| Landscape Products | |
| Structural Products | |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Keystone Do-It-Yourself | |
- GENERAL
- CORNER/CURVES
- DRAINAGE
- STAIRS
- INSTALLATION
| FAQ: | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
| QUESTION: When building gravity walls with terraces, what is the recommended distance between theterraced walls where the upper wall does not affect the loading condition on the lower wall?
ANSWER: The distance between terraces (face of wall to face of wall) should be greater than or equal to two times the lower wall height. Typically this can also work for lower height soil reinforced walls.With higher reinforced walls or walls built on a slope, the issue of global stability must be considered by a qualified engineer in analyzing the terrace situation. |
|
| QUESTION: What are the recommended methods to avoid settlement when building a wall that has terraces converging into a single wall?
ANSWER: If at all possible, build on bench cut virgin soil conditions. If this is difficult to achieve, the next best solution is to build the base course of the terrace as it approaches the single wall, to a deeper elevation (either stepping down to the same level as the single wall or to virgin soil at a higher elevation). This provides for a deeper and more stable base condition. |
|
| QUESTION: How far apart do the terrace walls have to be to perform as individual gravity walls?
ANSWER: As a rule of thumb, the minimum distance between the wall terraces must be at least equal to twice the height of the lower wall. Click here for an example. |
|
| QUESTION: What if there isn’t enough room to space the terraces according to this rule? (2 x H1 MIN.)
ANSWER: The wall can still be built, but the effect of the upper terrace on the lower terrace and overall stability must be taken into account when designing the wall(s).When the terraces are close together, the design analysis may model the structure as a single taller wall to account for the added load from the upper terrace wall on the lower wall(s). |
|
| FAQ: | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
| QUESTION: When building an inside 90° corner, how much should be cut off the first course?
ANSWER: A good place to start is approximately at the half unit range. This will result in field cutting the caps to finish the top of wall in the corner. If it is important to finish the wall with full cap units versus a cut unit as shown below, you will need to know how much setback occurs in your wall from base course to cap course to determine the starting location of the last full unit (uncut) at the base. To determine setback, follow this simple method: Place 3 units on a smooth level surface. Place fiberglass pins in desired setback option. Place next course of units in running bond pattern over base units. Pull upper unit forward towards face of wall. Now measure distance from tail surface of lower and upper courses. This is your setback dimension! Multiply this measurement times the total number of vertical courses. This will then give you the projected horizontal shift required to handle the setback of the two 90° walls away from the starting point. |
|
| QUESTION: How do I determine the smallest concave radius I can construct before unacceptable gapping between units may occur?
ANSWER: Multiply the height of wall by two. The result is the smallest radius dimension. Click here for an example. |
|
| QUESTION: How do I determine the smallest convex radius I can construct before binding between units may occur?
ANSWER: Multiply the height of wall by two. The result is the smallest radius dimension. Click here for an example. |
|
| QUESTION: How do I determine how many Keystone® units will be required for a given radius or for a complete circle?
ANSWER: Multiply the diameter of the circle (the measurement of a line passing through the center from one side of the circle to the other or 2 x the radius) by 3.146. Divide the result by 1.5. The result is the number of units for a complete circle. Click here for an example. |
|
| FAQ: | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
| QUESTION: When building around a structure or culvert, how do I know if the courses will match on top?
ANSWER: Make sure that your Keystone units on either side of the culvert are at the same elevation and in an increment of 18" (457mm) apart. Depending on the distance, you may want to allow a 1/4" (6mm) or more for adjustments. When you get to the top, you may need to use mortar or grout on top of the culvert structure to continue the course of units across at the proper elevation. Also, it is important to create a cold joint at each side of the culvert to allow for differential settlement possibilities from the culvert on a rigid foundation to the Keystone on a flexible foundation. |
|
| QUESTION: When cutting for a round culvert or multi-plate arch, is it necessary for the whole Keystone unit to remain intact, and what is the best way to secure the unit?
ANSWER: On many cuts, it is nearly impossible to keep the whole unit intact (i.e. having small pieces of units). After the cut has been made, pin the unit if possible and apply a liberal amount of Keystone KapSeal™ adhesive to secure. It is also important to use additional clean rock fill behind these units to ease compaction efforts, provide additional drainage, and to prevent fine material from migrating through any existing gaps. An additional solution is to design in a collar for the front edge of the culvert or multi-plate in order to conceal visually the construction joint where the Keystone units are cut to fit the curved structure. |
|
|
|
|
|
| FAQ: | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
| QUESTION: How do I calculate how many steps will be needed to scale a specific grade?
ANSWER: Total height of the slope ÷ 8" (200mm) (Keystone® riser height) = Number of risers (round to the nearest full riser). EXAMPLE: 12' ÷ 8" (.67') = 18 risers (0.305m x 18 = 5.5m) |
|
| QUESTION: How do I calculate the distance the steps will travel into the embankment?
ANSWER: Tread width x Number of risers = Total length of stairs EXAMPLE: 12" x 18 = 216" (18') (0.305m x 18 = 5.5m) |
|
| FAQ: | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | |
| GENERAL INSTALLATION - ANSWERS | BASE COURSE INSTALLATION - ANSWERS | |
|
|
|
| WALL SETBACK - ANSWERS | TROUBLE SHOOTING - ANSWERS | |
|
|
|
| BASE TRENCH / LEVELING PAD - ANSWERS | COREFILL / BACKFILL - ANSWERS | |
|
|
|