Cantilever retaining walls consist of a single layer of material that’s built in uniform thickness, with the base connected to a slab. These walls are strong and durable, and are capable of holding back significant amounts of earth.
Legend has it that in 1824, English bricklayer and mason Joseph Aspdin devised Portland cement by heating limestone and clay in his kitchen oven. Aspdin discovered that these steps created hydraulic cement that hardens when water is added and grows stronger as it cures.
One engineering issue that is important to retaining wall construction is allowing for movement of soil – because soil is not static, it compresses when wet, expands outward when it freezes, and can become more compact with time.
Concrete is what's known as a composite building material, since it gets its strength from being a composite of different substances. This composition varies depending on the combination of aggregate, cement, additives, and any reinforcing material built into the mix.
It's easy to think of masonry and brick as being for houses, chimneys, and fireplaces, but it can also be used for landscaping. This can include garden boxes, walkways, stairs, and retaining walls to give your landscaping durability and beauty.
Whether you're looking to add a new fireplace to your home, replace an existing one, or repair your current one, a masonry expert can help. They can use bricks, rocks, or other masonry to build a fireplace in the style you want.