MSE Retaining Wall Construction Guide

Note: This is an abbreviated guide to constructing a Reinforced Earth® MSE retaining wall with precast concrete facing panels. Refer to our construction manuals for complete procedure, handling of materials and recommended safety precautions.

Preparing the bottom course of panels:

  • Form and pour leveling pad.
  • Set bottom panels.
    • Batter the panels as required.
    • Drive wedges to hold batter.
    • Brace the bottom panels.
  • Apply adhesive and filter fabric.
Leveling Pad
Setting Panels
Battering Panels
Wedges to hold batter
Bracing panels
Filter cloth on panel joints

Bottom row of soil reinforcements:

  • Spread and compact select backfill (in lifts) to 2″ above the first level of tie strips on the back face of panels.
  • Connect the soil reinforcements to the tie strips on the back face of the panels.
Blue icons showing a flat plate tamper for use within 3 feet of a wall and a large roller to stay 3 feet away from it.
Connect soil reinforcements

Subsequent rows of soil reinforcements (repeat until top course of panels is installed and backfilled).

  • Spread and compact select backfill (in lifts) to 2″ above the next level of tie strips on the back face of panels.
  • Connect the soil reinforcements to the tie strips on the back face of the panels.
  • When needed, install the next course of panels:
    • Batter the panels as required.
    • Drive wedges to hold the batter.
    • Shoulder clamp new panels to the adjacent secured panels.
  • Apply adhesive and filter fabric to the new panels.
  • Install fall protection as required.
Backfill in lifts
Shoulder clamp subsequent panel courses
Fall protection

Prepare the top wall grading and install the wall top out as required:

Wall top out