Retaining wall - Selection - Saving

. Timber Sleeper Retaining Wall with Steel Posts (Per Metre Cost) • Materials: Treated pine sleepers (most common and cost-effective), steel H-beams or C-beams for posts, gravel for drainage, possibly geotextile fabric. Hardwood sleepers are more expensive but offer greater longevity. • Construction: Relatively straightforward, involving digging post holes, setting steel posts in concrete, and slotting sleepers between the posts. • Pros: Generally the most cost-effective option for lower to medium height walls, DIY-friendly for smaller projects, natural aesthetic. • Cons: Shorter lifespan compared to concrete (even treated timber will eventually rot), can warp or crack over time, not suitable for very high walls without significant engineering. Estimated Cost per Linear Metre (for a typical 1m high wall): • Budget to Mid-Range: AUD $150 - $400 per linear metre • Higher-End (e.g., using hardwood or complex design): AUD $400 - $700+ per linear metre ________________________________________ 2. Concrete Retaining Wall (Per Metre Cost) This can refer to several types: • Cast-in-Place (Poured) Concrete Wall: Involves significant formwork, pouring concrete, and often steel reinforcement. • Concrete Block Retaining Wall (Segmental Retaining Wall - SRW): Uses interlocking concrete blocks. Less labor-intensive than poured concrete but blocks themselves can be costly. • Reinforced Concrete Crib Walls: Pre-cast concrete members forming a cellular structure filled with soil/gravel. • Materials: Concrete, steel reinforcement (rebar), formwork (for poured), specific concrete blocks (for SRW), drainage materials. • Construction: More labor-intensive and requires specialized skills, especially for poured concrete. Excavation, footings, reinforcement, and proper curing are critical. • Pros: Extremely durable and long-lasting, can be engineered for very high walls, low maintenance once built, versatile in design and finish. • Cons: Generally significantly more expensive than timber, less DIY-friendly, can have a less "natural" look unless faced with stone or other materials. Estimated Cost per Linear Metre (for a typical 1m high wall): • Concrete Block (SRW) Mid-Range: AUD $300 - $600 per linear metre • Poured Concrete (Reinforced): AUD $500 - $1,200+ per linear metre (can easily go much higher for complex or very tall walls) Given in image 20m of RCC cotrete retaining wall to be of tiimber sleeper retaining wall including steel posts than expected saving of doller would be 16,000AUD.