Leading clay brick and paving manufacturer Corobrik has extended its GEOLOK® concrete block earth retaining systems with the addition of the GEOLOK® 500 concrete block. This block is ideal for specialised applications where the required slope of the wall could exceed an angle of inclination greater than 70°.
GEOLOK® was introduced in 2001, with the GEOLOK® 300 concrete block for walls typically up to 2 m high and the GEOLOK® 400 for walls higher than 2m. “It is a phenomenally successful system with significant market penetration in KwaZulu-Natal,” says eThekwini Sales Manager Chris Mungle. The GEOLOK® blocks are manufactured exclusively by Corobrik in Durban.
Recently the GEOLOK® 300 and 400 concrete blocks were modified and improved with the face of the blocks being the same dimensions, that is 400 mm (width) x 200 mm (height). Only the depth of the block varies in size, allowing the blocks to be interchangeable on the vertical plane.
The benefits of the new GEOLOK® range are:
- Layout flexibility
Three different sized blocks provide walling solutions for different site conditions.
- Interlocking
GEOLOK® 300 and 400 have a visible mechanical interlock in the form of a nib for additional shear resistance to block-on-block sliding.
- Versatile
The GEOLOK® 300 and 400 have a nib to ensure a maximum angle of inclination of 70° when laid horizontally. The GEOLOK® 500 excludes a nib, allowing for an angle of inclination greater than 70°.
- Cost-effective
The open face application requires less blocks per square meter and is therefore more cost competitive than closed face retaining block applications.
- Plantable
The range is ideal for planting low water-use plants and softening a wall. The design also allows water to drain back into the ground. Using low water-use plants, one can create a landscape that is fully sustainable.
The performance of a GEOLOK® wall depends totally on the adequacy of the overall system and not the block alone – that is, design, workmanship, and quality of the concrete retaining block. It is recommended to use tried and tested concrete retaining blocks that are SABS 508:2012 certified.
It is important to note that all concrete block earth retaining walls above 1 m in height should be designed by an engineer or a geotechnical engineer. The walls must comply with local building regulations.
Corobrik has a software design program to assist professionals and geotechnical engineers design GEOLOK® earth retaining walls. Click here to download the program for free.