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Essential Components of MSE Retaining Wall Construction

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 18:16:12 GMT

How Geogrid, Geotextile and Proper Drainage Keep Your Walls Standing Strong

Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) retaining walls are a trusted solution in site construction when it comes to managing grade changes, supporting roadways, or creating usable land on sloped sites. Their strength lies in a combination of engineered design and quality materials that work together to resist soil movement, control water pressure, and maintain long-term stability. Whether you’re working on a commercial project or a residential job, understanding the key components that go into a properly built MSE wall is critical.

At the heart of every stable MSE wall is geogrid , a synthetic reinforcement layer that is installed horizontally between compacted soil lifts. Geogrid effectively connects the wall face to the reinforced soil zone, distributing loads and increasing the mass and strength of the soil behind the wall. This reinforcement allows the wall to support greater heights and heavier loads than a gravity wall alone. The selection of the right geogrid—single or biaxial, depending on site conditions—is crucial to overall wall performance.

Behind the wall face, geotextile fabric serves a different but equally important function. It is typically used as a separator between native soil and drainage stone to prevent the migration of fine particles into the drain layer, which can clog the system and reduce effectiveness over time. Non-woven geotextiles are common for this purpose due to their filtration and drainage capabilities. By keeping materials separated, geotextile preserves the integrity of the drainage layer and helps prevent wall settlement or failure caused by water buildup.

Speaking of drainage, drain pipe installation is a step that can’t be skipped. A perforated drain pipe, usually wrapped in filter fabric, is placed along the base of the wall to collect and channel water away from behind the structure. Without this drainage system in place, water can build up and create hydrostatic pressure, which is one of the leading causes of retaining wall failure. To allow for proper water exit points along the wall face, many contractors are now incorporating Wall Drain Pro —a low-profile, engineered outlet designed to discharge water safely through the front of the wall while maintaining a clean aesthetic. Wall Drain Pro eliminates the need for unsightly PVC pipe outlets and prevents staining and erosion at the base.

When safety railings or fencing are required at the top of the wall—especially in commercial or public settings— Sleeve-It is the preferred method for pre-installing fence posts without compromising the wall structure. Installed during wall construction, Sleeve-It embeds directly into the reinforced soil mass and provides a code-compliant sleeve that eliminates the need to core drill or disturb the wall later. It’s a cost-effective, time-saving solution that meets safety regulations and ensures long-term stability.

If you’re building retaining walls in the Nashville or Middle Tennessee area, we have you covered. At Terrain Civil, we stock geogrids, geotextiles, drain pipe, Wall Drain Pro outlets, and Sleeve-It systems—all ready for pickup or delivery to your jobsite. These aren’t just add-ons—they’re the essential building blocks of a properly engineered wall that will stand the test of time.

Call us today at 615-649-8809 for pricing and availability. Our experienced team is ready to help you get the right materials for your next retaining wall project.

#TerrainCivil #MSEWall #RetainingWall #Geogrid #Geotextile #DrainPipe #Drainage #WallDrainPro #SleeveIt #NashvilleConstruction #MiddleTennessee #SiteConstruction #CivilConstruction #BuildItRight #CallForPricing

TERRAIN CIVIL'S 'QUICK TAKE': CONCRETE WASHOUTS

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 15:55:31 GMT

Avoid Costly Fines Or A Job Site Shutdown

Safely handle the most difficult clean out and washout procedures.

“We have been doing business with Todd and Jamie for years! Great folks to work with and a great business. We highly recommend using Terrain Civil!” - Justin

Terrain Civil's concrete washout bulk bags are lightweight yet incredibly strong, portable containers that contain environmentally harmful industrial concrete, drywall mud, stucco, paint, mortar, and wet waste.

How Do They Work?

Our Concrete washout bag requires no external structure due to its specialized design; this bag is capable of standing on its own, allowing one person to perform the discharge of the chute. Small enough to fit in the cab of your truck and can be put away or used as storage. It sets up quickly in under 5 seconds. Rated to safely hold with a capacity of 3300lbs (1,500kg) and has 4 corner lift loops, 10” x 2”, allowing for the easy, safe movement of the bag when filled and easy disposal.

Whether your job

Reasons To Use A Concrete Washout Bag:

Failure to wash out properly can result in fines or a job site shut down.
Environmentally Friendly. Cement is incredibly alkaline, with a pH of 12 to 13. It can create an environmental or safety hazard if not correctly disposed of.

Installation and Specs

Bulk Bags require no external structure due to their specialized design, and these bags are capable of standing on their own.
It holds up to 34.1 cubic feet (255 gallons).
It is rated to hold 3300lbs (1,500kg) safely.
It works with wet or dry material and will not seep due to its internal plastic liner.
The liner is tabbed & sewn on 4 bottom corners and at the top perimeter of the bag.
LLDPE plastic liner stays in place when the bag is filled and moved, allowing for easy and safe disposal.
Bulk Bags have 4 corner lift loops, each 10” x 2”.

This Bag Stands On Its Own - No External Structure Is Needed!!!

TERRAIN CIVIL'S 'QUICK TAKE': CATCH BASINS + EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 16:16:14 GMT

Pooling water in your lawn, landscape or hardscape? Catch Basins are an integral part to your overall drainage plan.

A well thought out and effective drainage plan is integral to keeping water out of the wrong places. One of the simplest ways to combat runoff and erosion is by installing a catch basin.

“Great people, great service and quick turnaround on delivery. Highly recommended!” - Tanner

Catch Basins can be placed in a variety of places in your drainage plan. They come in a variety of sizes and decorative grates to best suit your specific needs and aesthetics. Read on to see how simple it can be to add proper drainage to your property.

What Is A Catch Basin and How Do They Work Into My Plan?

A catch basin is a buried diversion device that acts as a reservoir to collect and divert water flow in a drainage plan to prevent flooding. They are an adaptable resource that can be used in a simple one run drainage map or worked into a much larger system.

What Size and Type Grate Is Right For My Project?

Catch basins come in many sizes starting at 9" for residential use and up to 24" or larger for commercial uses. The size is determined by the amount of waterflow that will need to be collected and diverted. We even stock low profile catch basins that do not require much digging.

For the above ground portion of your catch basin, grates come in a variety of shapes, colors, material and styles; each with its own benefit and esthetic. Flat grates can visually disappear in your lawn or landscape and atrium grates offer protection from leaves and mulch debris entering your drainage map. Plastic grates can withstand light to medium foot traffic while the brass and cast iron grates will hold up to the heaviest of vehicular traffic. There are several other specialty grates that can help combat any specific need.

Installation and Maintenance

Installation can be easy for the experienced DIY-er. The basics include digging a pit wider and deeper that your catch basin, filling with a layer of gravel. You will also need to dig a trench for your drainage pipe which will typically daylight into a pop emitter. Once this is installed, the entire open area will need to be back filled with dirt and finished as your lawn or landscape dictates.

Maintenace is important but pretty simple. Debris can work its way into your system causing the runoff to slow and maybe even backing up if the clog is significant. There are options such as filter that can be installed under the grate and inside the catch basin to collect larger clog-causing debris from entering your drainage pipe.

Need More Direction For Your Drainage Issues, Click Here To Visit Our Website or Give Us A Call and See How We Can Help Alleviate Your Drainage Issues!

TERRAIN CIVIL'S 'QUICK TAKE': POP-UP EMITTERS TO BATTLE STORMWATER AND EROSION

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 16:15:46 GMT

Puddles of water are great for your kids to splash in for a few minutes of reprieve, but those puddles eventually lead to havoc on your home’s foundation.

For a simple solution to move pooling water around a downspout or drain line, installing a pop-up emitter is a great solution.

“Great place to do business! Professional, fully stocked and always friendly! They sure know how to take care of their customers!” - Pedro

A pop-up emitter can be placed virtually anywhere on your property, just make sure it meets your local codes and it doesn’t affect your neighbor’s property. Every yard is different so reach out with any questions and we will point you in the right direction!

How Is a Pop-Up Beneficial and How Do They Work?

When there is a rain event, water collects on your roof and typically runs off into a gutter system. Connecting downspout adapters or installing a catch basin at the ground level of your downspout that then connects to buried drainage pipe, the pop up is located at the end of your line, carrying and evacuating water to a safe place.

The water pressure causes the lid to ‘pop up’ and when the pressure decreases, the lid will stay closed. The eliminates debris and wildlife from entering your pipe and maintaining a clean and free flowing drain.

Pop-ups can also be used to terminate French drains and complete drainage runoff systems.

Installation

Pop Ups are the end of the line in a complete drainage map. They connect directly to 3” or 4” pipe that is then connected to either your downspout adapter or a catch basin at your downspout. For proper flow, causing the lid to "pop-up", generally a 2% slope from the downspout to the pop-up is required.