We all know that no two projects are ever the same. When it comes to additions, one of the most popular options is stairs. However, stairs are often one of the harder aspects to design properly, and matching aesthetics is just as important. One way to address both issues is to use Allan Block as steps. Using our blocks, with their patented front lip as a built-in edging, allows for easy installation of pavers, concrete, crushed rock, or our cap units, depending on the desired tread of the stairs. Not only will your stairs match the aesthetics of the surrounding walls, but you can also tailor the stairs to the natural grade of your slope. By adjusting the depth of the treads for steep slopes, you can tightly place block after block to acquire an 8in (203mm) rise with a 12in (305mm) run. For gentler slopes, you can space out the blocks further and use crushed stone, concrete, or pavers for treads to match the surrounding aesthetics.

However, there is much more to consider when designing a tall wall with an adjoining set of stairs. For a tall set of stairs running in conjuncture with a wall, you must also account for the set back of the wall. This will begin to drastically effect the layout of the stairs the further up you go with them. One way to combat this is to create breaks or landings to help break up the steps, or even adding switchback curves to add even more appeal to the aesthetics of the design.

Similar to tall wall structures, if you are worried about stability of your stairs, you can add grid to the design. You can think of stairs almost as a terraced wall design. By adding a layer of geogrid between each step or every other, you are creating that "Rock-Lock" connection between the block and grid and creating that reinforced mass, to help increase stability of the stairs. There are many great designs that can benefit from small additions or details like these. Check out allanblock.com for several more project ideas and details!

Properly designing a wall does not always guarantee its performance over the course of its life. When a wall is constructed there is no immediate way to know if it was built in alignment with the design. There are cases where bulging occurs because grid layers were skipped, or differential settlement occurs due to improper compaction. Errors like these can easily occur when a contractor lacks either the experience or the knowledge of SRW construction. To reduce these costly errors Allan Block has taken the initiative to train and certify contractors.

Mistakes often come from lack of experience or training. To ensure experienced and knowledgeable contractors are installing retaining walls correctly, make sure they are qualified by taking a nationally accredited class. Allan Block's Contractor Certification Course is one such program. Our full day training course is led by a certified trainer and provides clear steps on how to become an AB Certified Contractor. Simply taking the course does not instantly provide an accreditation. At a minimum, a contractor must also build a wall of 300 ft² (28 m²) or greater. This ensures that Allan Block Certified Contractors have both the training and the experience to build a long-standing wall according to the designs.

With different levels of certification, contractors can qualify as a more experienced wall installer. With the certification of Master Wall Builder, you know that the quality of any wall designed will be the absolute best. This is especially important for those more intricate and difficult designs. Whether it be a tall wall, a multi-terraced structure, tight site constraints, or steep slopes, a Master Wall Builder has the experience needed to tackle any design and be able to communicate any unforeseen circumstances if design changes are needed.

When the next Allan Block project comes up, make sure to take advantage of qualifying an AB Certified Contractor to build your wall. On our website, you can also find more information about the advantages of the AB Contractor Certification Program and how it will bring value to your next project.

For more information, contact us at engineering@allanblock.com.

Behind every great retaining wall is an even greater designer, and in this quarter's technical newsletter, we would like to recognize a group of designers who continue to set the standard for segmental retaining wall engineering. For our showcase, we're heading to the East Coast of the United States, where Richard Ramirez, Patrick Laudisi, and Kevin Driscoll from Ramirez Engineering design top-notch retaining walls in the New Jersey Market.

Richard started his retaining wall career back in 1974, when the industry was in its infancy. In the late 90's, Mike Crawford, a technical representative and Allan Block partner from Clayton Block, introduced Rich to the Allan Block program, AB Walls. This introduction kick-started Richard's retaining wall business and he started getting more and more Allan Block projects. Then, after running his own business for several years, Rich started a new company - Ramirez Engineering - in 2006. Ramirez Engineering is a large supporter of Allan Block and today, around 30% of the company's work comes from Allan Block projects.

One thing that sets Rich, Pat, and Kevin apart from the competition is their focus on getting high-quality work completed and sent back to customers in a very rapid timeline. Generally, the designers at Ramirez Engineering respond to requests within hours, send back proposals within a day, and have their designs on their customers' desks within a week, often times earlier. One reason that they are able to send out so many Allan Block projects on this timeline is because they take full advantage of the tools and resources that Allan Block provides. By using the AB Walls design software, modifying standard details, referencing the AB Best Practices document, attending many of the free design professionals webinars, and calling into the AB Engineering department with any questions they have, Rich, Pat, and Kevin have become go-to Allan Block designers in their market.

Whether it's hybrid no-fines-concrete/grid walls, projects with heavy loads, or walls with global stability concerns, Ramirez Engineering is willing to take it on. Between their gold standard industry experience, realistic conservative designs, and second-to-none professionalism, Rich, Pat, and Kevin continue to design walls that make Allan Block the company that it is today. We can't thank everyone at Ramirez Engineering enough for all of the amazing work they do, and we look forward to all of our future work with them.