Gravity Extender Design Chosen for Data Center Facility

Delivering Stability with Gravity Walls

This MagnumStone gravity retaining wall with extender units was instrumental to reinforcing land for a new data center and its infrastructure in Chantilly, VA, USA.

MagnumStone wall built for industrial infrastructure.

MagnumStone block retaining wall at Amazon data center.

The Value of Gravity Retaining Wall Designs

The industrial property required an 8,227 sq. ft. (764 sq. m.) retaining wall to raise the existing grade and extend usable land. This maximized development potential, supported heavy loading and protected utilities behind the wall without geogrid reinforcement. The wall contractor, Roche Brothers, value engineered the wall and engaged with Earth Retention’s engineering team on its design.

MagnumStone Gravity Extender Retaining Wall Installation.

MagnumStone retaining wall with superior drainage.

Gravity Extender Design Makes Accessing Utilities Easier.

Gravity extenders require less excavation depth than geogrid.

The gravity wall replaced an originally specified cast-in-place wall, to save time and labor, effectively streamlining installation. Their versatility transitioned initial angled wall corners to smooth flowing curves, peaking at maximum heights of 19 ft. (5.8 m.). The MagnumStone blocks and interlocking extenders were produced by the experts at York Building Products.

MagnumStone block retaining wall installation.

MagnumStone curved retaining wall mid-installation.

MagnumStone's versatile rounded corner design.

Long and tall MagnumStone retaining wall.

Retaining Wall Summary and Solution

MagnumStone’s hollow core blocks offer superior drainage, and its gravity extenders adjust excavation depths in 2 ft. (0.61 m.) lengths for greater design flexibility. Bypassing time-consuming cast-in-place logistics (forms, staging, curing concrete), MagnumStone gravity extenders minimized costs, solved design challenges and expedited construction time.