NatureWall Overview,
and Ideas		 NatureWall Installation Guidelines
and Cross Sections		 NatureWall Planting Guide NatureWall Downloads
Design & Installation Guidelines
when Using "NatureWall" Clips
  1. Table 1 and Figures 1a & 1b present the maximum unreinforced height of StoneWall SELECT SRWs using several combinations of the Standard (0.75" setback) and NatureWall (4.75" setback) clips, for various imposed surcharge loadings above the wall, and types of soil behind the wall.
  2. Geosynthetic reinforcement is required on any wall taller than the maximum unreinforced height listed in Table 1. Three typical cross-sections for reinforced walls with exposed heights of: 2.8 ft. or less see Fig. 2, 2a & 2b; 3.5 ft. to 2.8 ft. see Fig. 3, 3a & 3b; 4.2 ft. to 3.5 ft. see Fig. 4, 4a & 4b. For walls taller than 4.67 feet, the minimum vertical spacing between NatureWall clips in SWS-SRWs utilizing geosynthetic reinforcement is 3 courses. Closer vertical spacing will adversely affect shear capacity between SWS units, and the facing connection strength between SWS units and any geosynthetic soil reinforcement, if used.
  3. Table 2 quantifies the effects of using the NatureWall clip that should be accounted for in the engineering design and plan location of any SWS-SRW. The vertical spacing of the NatureWall clip (4.75 in. set-back) changes the overall average wall batter of SWS-SRWs affecting the engineering analysis in design and horizontal plan location of the wall. Table 2 provides the average overall wall batter for various NatureWall clip vertical spacings to assist in calculating horizontal plan location, and an equivalent uniform setback to be used in the engineering analyses performed during design.
  4. The SWS-SRW designer should select a vertical spacing of NatureWall clips that meets the aesthetic appearance / landscaping objective, while not compromising the soil reinforcement spacing requirements for a particular set of design conditions. A preliminary design using standard clips (0.75" set-back) will provide a good picture of the vertical spacing requirements for the geosynthetic reinforcement. Select a NatureWall clip vertical spacing that would be roughly consistent with the geosynthetic reinforcement spacing.
  5. Geosynthetic reinforcement can NOT be installed at the same elevation as the NatureWall clip. Geosynthetic reinforcement MUST be held in place with standard clips and have the SWS unit cores and spaces, both above and below the reinforcement filled with drainage aggregate.
  6. The integrity of the drainage aggregate must be protected by a geotextile filter fabric to prevent migration of organic soil out of the exposed SWS unit cores used for plant materials. Accomplish this by:
    • 6a. Place a continuous 26 -inch deep geotextile filter (like Mirafi 140N or equivalent) over the filled cores, and to the front face of the unit that will support the unit onto which the NatureWall (4.75" setback) clip is to be placed.
    • 6b. Slit this fabric with a utility knife at each location where a standard (0.75" setback) clip will be placed.
    • 6c. Place into position on top of the geotextile filter the SWS unit, onto which the NatureWall clip will be placed.
    • 6d. Fold the geotextile up the back and over the top of the SWS unit, hold geotextile in folded position by placing temporary weights (blocks or caps).
    • 6e. Place the drainage stone behind the SWS unit and geotextile filter.
    • 6f. Remove the temporary weights and place the organic soil between the SWS units and into the cores, overfilling slightly.
    • 6g. Compact the drainage stone behind the organic filled SWS units with a vibratory plate compactor. Add more drainage stone behind the SWS units in order to obtain a level surface for placement of the next SWS unit. This is very important for proper support of the SWS units.
    • 6h. Fold the geotextile filter over the organic filled cores and hold the geotextile in position by placing the NatureWall (4.75" setback) clips. Slit the fabric with a utility knife at each location where a NatureWall (4.75" setback) clip will be placed.
    • 6i. Place the next course of SWS units engaging the NatureWall clip.
    • 6j. Overlap geotextile filter six inches parallel to wall face, where adjacent pieces start and stop.
  7. Irrigation of plant materials may be required. See NatureWall Planting Guide.
Table 1
Maximum Unreinforced Height* for StoneWall SELECT Clip Combinations
See the typical cross-section drawings for un-reinforced and reinforced walls.
Surcharge Condition Combination of Clips
(NatureWall and/or Standard) 		Silts & Clays
friction angle = 27 degs.		 Sands
friction angle = 33 degs
LEVEL above the wall NatureWall only 3 clips = 4 blocks 4 clips = 5 blocks
Surcharge (100 psf) above wall NatureWall only 2 clips = 3 blocks 2 clips = 3 blocks
Backslope above wall NatureWall only 3 clips = 4 blocks 3 clips = 4 blocks
( max H:V ) 4H:1V 3H:1V
LEVEL above the wall Alternating NatureWall & Std. 3 clips = 4 blocks 4 clips = 5 blocks
Surcharge (100 psf) above wall Alternating NatureWall & Std. 1 clips = 2 blocks 2 clips = 3 blocks
Backslope above wall Alternating NatureWall & Std. 2 clips = 3 blocks 3 clips = 4 blocks
( max H:V ) 4H:1V 3H:1V
LEVEL above the wall Standard only 2 clips = 3 blocks 3 clips = 4 blocks
Surcharge (100 psf) above wall Standard only 0 clips = 1 blocks 1 clips = 2 blocks
Backslope above wall Standard only 2 clips = 3 blocks 3 clips = 4 blocks
( max H:V ) 4H:1V 3H:1V
* Maximum Unreinforced Height: = Height above leveling pad for Unreinforced Walls
or
Height above upper reinforcement layer.
Notes: Tiered Walls MUST be separated by a distance equal to their combined heights.
100 psf surcharge equivalent to passenger cars, light trucks, and riding lawn mowers.
Table 2
Average Uniform Batter and Setback
for NatureWall Clips on constant Vertical Spacing
NatureWall Clip Wall Heights
Vertical Spacing Average Uniform < 6 ft. < 12 ft. < 18 ft. < 24 ft.
3 courses Wall Batter 10.4o 12.5o 13.2o 13.6o
or 2.00 ft Setback 1.66" 1.88" 1.95" 1.99"
4 courses Wall Batter 11.0o 11.3o 11.4o 12.0o
or 2.67 ft Setback 1.75" 1.69" 1.67" 1.75"
5 courses Wall Batter 7.9o 9.8o 10.4o 10.7o
or 3.33 ft Setback 1.25" 1.46" 1.52" 1.55
6 courses Wall Batter 7.9o 8.2o 9.3o 9.1o
or 4.00 ft Setback 1.25" 1.22" 1.37" 1.32"
7 courses Wall Batter 7.9o 8.2o 8.3o 9.1o
or 4.67 ft Setback 1.25" 1.22" 1.22" 1.32"
8 courses Wall Batter 7.9o 8.2o 8.3o 8.3o
or 5.33 ft Setback 1.25" 1.22" 1.21" 1.21"
9 courses Wall Batter 4.8o 6.6o 7.3o 7.6o
or 6.00 ft Setback 0.75" 1.00" 1.06" 1.09"
0 courses Wall Batter 4.8o 5.1o 5.2o 5.2o
Standard Clips Setback 0.75" 0.75" 0.75" 0.75"
Figure 1a: Maximum Un-reinforced Height, NatureWall Clips Only.
Red Line indicates geotextile filter (like Mirafi 140N or equivalent).
Silts, 27 degrees Sands 33 degrees
Level
Surcharge
Back Slope
Figure 1b: Maximum Un-reinforced Height and Alternate NatureWall and Standard Clips.
Red Line indicates geotextile filter (like Mirafi 140N or equivalent).
Silts, 27 degrees Sands 33 degrees
Level
Surcharge
Back Slope
Figure 2: 2.8 ft. Maximum Exposed Height.

NOTES:

  1. Compact reinforced fill (AASHTO #57 or #67 Stone with 3 passes of Vibrating Plate Tamp
  2. All reinforcement to be Mirafi 140 N or better (120# x 120# grab. Rolled perpendicular to Wall Face.
  3. Reinforcement, layout, spacing and length, appropriate for all soil types & Surcharge conditions listed.
  4. Level grade has max. Surcharge of 100 psf (i.e. passenger cars, riding lawn mowers).
  5. Tiered walls MUST be separated by a Distance equal to their combined heights.
  6. Refer to Table 1, to ELIMINATE reinforcement layers, based on clip type (setback) and vertical spacing. See Figures 2a and 2b for schematic of cross-sections using NatureWall Clips.

Figure 2a: 2.8 ft. Maximum Exposed Height.
NatureWall Clips Only

Red Line indicates geotextile filter (like Mirafi 140N or equivalent).
Reinforcement length equals 32 inches with 26 inches horizontal and 6 inches turned up.
Silts, 27 degrees Sands 33 degrees
Level
Surcharge
Back Slope
Figure 2b: 2.8 ft. Maximum Exposed Height.
Alternate NatureWall and Standard Clips

Red Line indicates geotextile filter (like Mirafi 140N or equivalent).
Reinforcement length equals 32 inches with 26 inches horizontal and 6 inches turned up.
Silts, 27 degrees Sands 33 degrees
Level
Surcharge
Back Slope
Figure 3: 3.5 ft. Maximum Exposed Height.

NOTES:

  1. Compact reinforced fill (AASHTO #57 or #67 Stone with 3 passes of Vibrating Plate Tamp
  2. All reinforcement to be Mirafi 140 N or better (120# x 120# grab. Rolled perpendicular to Wall Face.
  3. Reinforcement, layout, spacing and length, appropriate for all soil types & Surcharge conditions listed.
  4. Level grade has max. Surcharge of 100 psf (i.e. passenger cars, riding lawn mowers).
  5. Tiered walls MUST be separated by a Distance equal to their combined heights.
  6. Refer to Table 1, to ELIMINATE reinforcement layers, based on clip type (setback) and vertical spacing. See Figures 3a and 3b for schematic of cross-sections using NatureWall Clips.

Figure 3a: 3.5 ft. Maximum Exposed Height.
NatureWall Clips Only

Red Line indicates geotextile filter (like Mirafi 140N or equivalent).
Reinforcement length equals 36 inches with 30 inches horizontal and 6 inches turned up.
Silts, 27 degrees Sands 33 degrees
Level
Surcharge
Back Slope
Figure 3b: 3.5 ft. Maximum Exposed Height.
NatureWall and Standard Clips

Red Line indicates geotextile filter (like Mirafi 140N or equivalent).
Reinforcement length equals 36 inches with 30 inches horizontal and 6 inches turned up.
Silts, 27 degrees Sands 33 degrees
Level
Surcharge
Back Slope
Figure 4: 4.2 ft. Maximum Exposed Height.

NOTES:

  1. Compact reinforced fill (AASHTO #57 or #67 Stone with 3 passes of Vibrating Plate Tamp
  2. All reinforcement to be Mirafi 140 N or better (120# x 120# grab. Rolled perpendicular to Wall Face.
  3. Reinforcement, layout, spacing and length, appropriate for all soil types & Surcharge conditions listed.
  4. Level grade has max. Surcharge of 100 psf (i.e. passenger cars, riding lawn mowers).
  5. Tiered walls MUST be separated by a Distance equal to their combined heights.
  6. Refer to Table 1, to ELIMINATE reinforcement layers, based on clip type (setback) and vertical spacing. See Figures 4a and 4b for schematic of cross-sections using NatureWall Clips.

Figure 4a: 4.2 ft. Maximum Exposed Height.
NatureWall Clips Only

Red Line indicates geotextile filter (like Mirafi 140N or equivalent).
Reinforcement length equals 42 inches with 36 inches horizontal and 6 inches turned up.
Silts, 27 degrees Sands 33 degrees
Level
Surcharge
Back Slope
Figure 4b: 4.2 ft. Maximum Exposed Height.
NatureWall and Standard Clips

Red Line indicates geotextile filter (like Mirafi 140N or equivalent).
Reinforcement length equals 42 inches with 36 inches horizontal and 6 inches turned up.
Silts, 27 degrees Sands 33 degrees
Level
Surcharge
Back Slope
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