Shipping Container for Retaining Wall

Discussion in 'Renovation & Home Improvement' started by dmb1978, 26th Mar, 2017.

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  1. dmb1978

    dmb1978 Well-Known Member

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    I have been googling a few things but thought I would put this out here to see if anyone has any ideas.
    Can a shipping container be used as a retaining wall for a steep block?

    We don't have a huge backyard as it is very steep. I was hoping to reclaim some by using a shipping container and turning it into some sort of outdoor patio. Kind of using it to cut into to the slope and have the roof level usable too.

    Any ideas if this would work?
     
  2. DaveM

    DaveM Well-Known Member

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    It would work till it rusted and collapsed. Then you have to remove a broken rusted container plus do the wall again.

    Do it once do it right
     
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  3. WestOz

    WestOz Well-Known Member

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    Nah, post a few different angled pics and we'll see if we can offer better suggestions
     
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  4. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    Gabion wall ie caged rocks
     
    Last edited: 26th Mar, 2017
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  5. dmb1978

    dmb1978 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, this is the limited space with very high walls. We have about 4 metres behind.
     

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  6. DaveM

    DaveM Well-Known Member

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    For those searching google and dont want to see pics of an african dictator, its gabion cage / block :D
     
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  7. dmb1978

    dmb1978 Well-Known Member

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    Ahaha I did google - lucky it auto corrected to the wall for me ;)
     
  8. dmb1978

    dmb1978 Well-Known Member

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    To give more an idea the existing wall is an annoying shape and i would like to push it back squaring it off to the block. I am happy to do two tiers if needed.
     

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  9. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    I'll blame the auto-misspell check too.
     
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  10. WestOz

    WestOz Well-Known Member

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    Looks pretty good to me, I'd be very happy with that.
    But I'm not getting a full picture of your desire, can't see the slope or where your thoughts are re placing a sea container?
     
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  11. dmb1978

    dmb1978 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. Was hoping to push it out a few metres and make square of it. Was thinking of the container being a roof like retaining wall at the back. Understand the container isn't a practical solution. ideally i'd love this.
     

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  12. SOULFLY3

    SOULFLY3 Well-Known Member

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    Big $$$ if you want to excavate and remove existing wall + earth + build new wall
    Engineering would be required also
     
  13. Westminster

    Westminster Tigress at Tiger Developments Business Member

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    You also need to consider the impact of raising the level of the ground all the way to your rear fence as that impacts the neighbours.
    Many councils won't allow you to do as you'll be prone to overlooking neighbours and creating more stress on boundary points that may one day fail causing damage to neighbours.
     
  14. dmb1978

    dmb1978 Well-Known Member

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    I understand the stress on the boundary etc. But the neighbours behind are much higher than us. The block is steep enough that if you stand at the back fence you are way higher than the roof of the house so i was looking at a way of lowering the yard to then end of the house line. I want to leave the back fence with all the trees for some privacy but just wanted to square off the existing space.
     
  15. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    First stop would be to consult a professional - engineer etc
     
  16. dmb1978

    dmb1978 Well-Known Member

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    Yep, agree. I just came across the shipping container idea and thought I would see if it was a possibility. We wont be able to get in there for a couple of years so have been exploring options.
     
  17. Jonathan 123

    Jonathan 123 New Member

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    Hi all Im a newbie on here.

    I am also exploring this idea. My site works perfectly to place containers as part of if not all used as a retaining wall. My thoughts are as long and you can drain the water sufficiently, there should be no problem for it to structurally support a bit of fill up against it.

    Has anyone done this or seen anything similar?
     
  18. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    Gravity retaining walls are restricted in what they can hold back so height is often limited.