Maplecrest Meijer Retaining Wall

The site design for a new Meijer store within the Brimfield Township development was challenged by limited space and significant grade changes surrounding the building. The space constraints were driven by the presence of an existing stream adjacent to the building pad area that was designated as a protected wetland.

The site development construction documents required the contractor to submit shop drawings, including design calculations and stamped engineering drawings. United Earthworks, the project contractor, coordinated with Turner Concrete Products to obtain drawings and materials for the specified Redi-Rock retaining wall system. Turner subsequently referred United Earthworks to DGL, which provided the stamped engineered design and performed periodic construction observation services.

The Redi-Rock retaining wall was approximately 528 feet long with a maximum exposed height of 13.5 feet. The wall was designed as a positive connection wall to retain the loading area and drives while avoiding impacts to the adjacent stream. Due to the site constraints, the owner and site engineer requested that the wall be designed with a 0-degree batter to maximize usable space above the wall. A guardrail was installed immediately behind the wall to prevent trucks from striking or driving over it, while a decorative fence was added atop the wall to prevent accidental falls behind the traffic guardrail.

In addition, the geogrid reinforcement required careful coordination around an existing light pole foundation and a catch basin structure. The project surveyor also staked the location of each guardrail post to allow installation without disturbing the geogrid reinforcement.

Once the retaining wall design was completed and approved by the contractor, Meijer’s corporate office, and the site engineering consultant, the plans were submitted to the Portage County Building Department for approval. Following approval, the contractor proceeded with construction and enlisted DGL to perform periodic inspections to verify that the retaining wall was constructed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and the approved design drawings.