Whether you’re trying to prevent soil erosion or control runoff on your property, retaining walls can help. One well-known type of retaining wall is the soldier pile and lagging wall, and contractors regularly use both timber and precast concrete lagging panels in these structures.
As you might expect, the type of lagging panel you use in your next retaining wall will affect its performance and lifespan. Before you choose between precast lagging panels and timber lagging, here’s what you should know about these material options.
What is Lagging?
Lagging is an essential part of soldier pile and lagging walls. The construction process for these walls involves driving soldier piles (or steel beams) into the ground at regular intervals. Then, horizontal lagging panels are installed between these panels to complete the wall.
In these systems, soldier piles are responsible for actively resisting lateral earth pressure. Meanwhile, the lagging panels help to transfer this load across the wall as a whole.
Should You Consider Timber Lagging Panels?
Since timber is a popular option for lagging panels, there’s a good chance you’ve already thought about using this material in your retaining wall project. But if you’re hoping to keep your new wall in place for any significant amount of time, you should know that selecting timber is a poor choice for permanent retaining walls.
The biggest reason why that’s the case is the lifespan of these timber panels. Though treated timber can last for decades, that’s not even close to the longevity you’d get from precast lagging panels.
According to the National Precast Concrete Association, precast concrete products have a typical service life of 50-100 years.
The Benefits of a Precast Lagging Panel
When you take the extended lifespan of precast concrete into account, it’s safe to say that this is the right choice for most retaining wall projects. When you go with concrete for your soldier pile and lagging wall, you’ll also appreciate the benefits it has to offer in terms of:
Speed
Precast concrete is produced to exacting specifications in highly controlled environments (as opposed to timber panels, which are often cut to size on job sites). That allows for delay-free production and rapid installation.
Safety
When timber panels are cut in uncontrolled environments, workplace injuries could easily follow. Precast lagging panels have a lower-risk manufacturing process (and will deliver consistent performance once installed in your retaining wall).
Quality Control
Precast concrete lagging panels are produced in consistent sizes and offer standardized reinforcement. These panels can reduce your wall’s risk of blowouts and voids, too.
Moisture Resistance
Unfortunately, timber lagging panels often warp and swell after being exposed to precipitation and other sources of moisture. In contrast, precast concrete will have little trouble dealing with water.
Sustainability
You won’t have to dispose of precast panels as often as you would have to get rid of timber panels. In fact, you may even be able to reuse precast panels, reducing the amount of material you use and your project’s overall environmental impact.
Visual Appeal
If the look of your retaining wall matters, wood might not be the right fit for your project. Concrete is much more flexible when it comes to aesthetics – you can order precast lagging panels in many different colors and finishes.
Total Costs
The cost savings from precast concrete extend beyond material costs. These concrete panels will help you save on labor, avoid delays, and reduce rework.
Are Soldier Pile and Lagging Panel Walls Right for You?
While soldier pile and lagging walls are a popular choice for retaining walls, they aren’t the only option in this category. Depending on your situation, you may also want to consider:
- Cantilever retaining walls. Unlike other retaining walls, these walls have L/inverted T-shaped foundations. Thanks to that, they’re extremely stable (making them a great choice for urban projects and steep terrain).
- Gravity retaining walls. These walls rely on their own weight in order to resist lateral earth pressure. If you need a simple, affordable retaining wall for flood control or landscaping, this may be the right choice for you.
- Modular retaining walls. Modular retaining walls consist of precast concrete components that lock together. That makes them extremely easy to install while still providing the durability, aesthetic range, and stability you’d expect from any other concrete retaining wall.
Why Choose American Precast Concrete to Construct Your Precast Products?
No matter what type of retaining wall you choose for your project, American Precast Concrete Inc. can help. We offer a wide range of exceptional precast concrete products, including precast lagging panels.
When you choose American Precast Concrete to manufacture lagging panels for your next retaining wall, you’ll benefit from our:
- Flexible panel designs. Precast concrete products aren’t a “one-size-fits-all” category. No matter what you need from your panels when it comes to pile spacing or load requirements, we’ve got you covered.
- Visual customization options. American Precast takes pride in offering all sorts of appearance options for our precast concrete products. That means your retaining wall will have the exact appearance you’re looking for.
- Help with engineering. The technical side of retaining wall development can be tricky, but you don’t have to do this work alone. We can help you figure out how your panels will align with structural requirements, drainage needs, and geotechnical reports.
- Unbeatable support. As you continue to work on your project, American Precast will be there every step of the way. Let us know when you need assistance with delivery, storage, and (optionally) installation coordination.
Get Your Custom Precast Lagging Panels Today and Request a Quote
Are you interested in getting the best precast lagging panels on the market for your retaining wall project? If so, don’t wait. Instead, reach out to the team at American Precast Concrete.
To get started, send us the relevant details for your retaining wall project. As soon as we have that information, we can give you a budget and lead time!