Jeremy Banken of Structures in Shakopee MN, has a long list of repeat customers, because his clients know they will get a custom project solution that best suits their retaining wall application needs. When Minnesota based Ryan Companies contacted Structures for the RDA Center in Eden Prairie MN, that’s just what they got. A made-to-order solution for 1,175 square feet of Recon retaining wall block manufactured by Rochester Concrete Products.

After 20 years of harsh Minnesota winters and numerous freeze/thaw cycles, the service and fire lane access drive behind the strip mall was in need of repair. So too were the segmental block retaining walls that faced and lined the drive lane. Part of the challenge to this remove/replace retaining wall application was limited space for excavation behind the existing retaining wall. Additionally, the owners wanted assurance that the retaining wall replacement would perform better and longer and not need to be replaced in another 20 years.

Maintenance of this area sometimes required the use of aggressive de-icing salts and chemicals to keep the drive lane open and serviceable during the winter. So it was “Recon to the Rescue”!!!!!

The Recon Advantage

Recon retaining wall blocks are made from wet-cast air-entrained concrete with a minimum strength of 4,000 psi. They are manufactured to meet or exceed ASTM C1776, and help provide additional protection against the damaging effects of vicious freeze/thaw cycles.

The experienced design and construction team at Structures recommended to Ryan Companies and the owner of RDA Center that the Recon block be constructed as a gravity wall. Structures contracted the design and engineering services of Civil Design Professionals in Bloomington, MN to address the two primary site concerns:

• Limited excavation limits in this remove/replace application that was well suited for a Recon gravity wall application.
• Additional durability insurance afforded by wet-cast air-entrained concrete.

The result was an attractive and durable retaining wall that will stand the test of time and the harsh Minnesota winters.