Wall-Wise: Will Redi-Rock Work for Storm and Flood Channel Projects?

Installing retaining walls for storm and flood channel projects presents unique challenges. Channels often remain active during installation and they’re typically located near infrastructure like roads, sidewalks, or buildings, that must remain accessible during installation. Redi-Rock large retaining wall blocks offer advantages engineers and contractors can leverage to install flood and storm water channels quickly, efficiently, and with minimal impact on the surrounding area.

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Superior wet cast durability

Redi-Rock stands up to submerged conditions in fresh and saltwater installations because it’s crafted with structural-grade air-entrained wet cast concrete in fully controlled conditions. Mixed per ASTM C94 or ASTM C685, Redi-Rock blocks also perform exceptionally well in extreme freeze-thaw scenarios, making them the preferred solution in all climates.

Controls waves and currents

Its authentically textured faces make Redi-Rock the top choice for high-visibility wall projects, but Redi-Rock’s natural-looking appearance also serves another important purpose. The deep textural elements help break up wave action and slow channel flows, rather than reflecting them like the smoother facing of steel sheet piling or cast-in-place walls.

Quick installation in a tight space

Marine wall installations are often tricky and rarely offer large project areas. Redi-Rock installs with limited machinery and a crew of just a few, allowing for big walls in small spaces. Whether it’s a flood channel next to a busy roadway or a detention pond at a development under construction, Redi-Rock helps limit interruptions to adjacent uses and building processes.

Corrosion-resistant reinforced walls

Need a bigger mechanically stabilized earth (MSE), or reinforced, wall? Redi-Rock Positive Connection (PC) blocks offer a connection that doesn’t rely on fasteners. Geogrid strips wrap through the block with virtually no chance of pullout failure. And no metal fasteners or anchor pins – which can corrode with prolonged exposure to water – means Redi-Rock is a smart choice for marine applications.

Choosing cast-in-place walls for a storm channel or installing a dry cast segmental retaining wall (SRW) in a detention basin doesn’t make sense when Redi-Rock is tailor-made to handle the rigors of water projects. Its wet cast composition, efficient installation, and great looks make it the all-climate, easy choice for channels, basins, and virtually all marine walls.

For more information about how you can put Redi-Rock to work on even your wettest projects, download our free Water Application Guide.