I'm looking to build a set of board formed tiered retaining walls in my front yard (pictured below for a general idea, colored for reference). I've done a bit of research for how to go about this. Curious of folks thoughts on the project or any concerns. I'm located in Denver, CO if that matters. I know it's a lot to read, if you have the time I appreciate the feedback. Thanks! [u][b]Dimensions[/b][/u]: All walls are 8" thick (I could be talked into 6"). The single larger wall (blue) will have a form totaling 20" in height. 4" of the formed wall should sit below grade when backfilled, followed by the footer. This wall left to right is 18'. The turn back is 40". The other two lower walls (red and yellow) will have forms totaling 10" in height. 3" of the formed wall should sit below grade when backfilled, followed by the footer. [u][b]Form[/b][/u]: I've seen a couple different tactics for this. 1) [url=https://youtu.be/zEq67rSGakk]Here[/url] they're forming with dimensional lumber. Notably using stakes into the ground on the outside of the form to "hold" the bottom width and temporary wooden spreaders at the top (lightly tensioned with rebar tie wire) to "hold" the top width. The wooden spreaders are removed during the pour leaving the tire wide to prevent the form from widening. 2) [url=https://youtu.be/DOLh3Qeu9QY]Here[/url] they're forming with plywood leveraging snap ties (albeit a ~6' wall and not a low lying wall). This method seems easier, but at the cost of snap ties and a good amount of 2x4 lumber. However, this method I feel would produce a more consistent and clean finish \ texture on the wall. [b][u]Concrete[/u][/b]: I'm planning on using 4000PSI concrete with nothing less than a 4" slump. It's my understanding the slump is something I'll have to roughly test for when my ready mix arrives. I don't want the concrete too fluid as it will simply flow out the bottom of the form. As far as yardage is concerned (only accounting for the two walls on the left side of the home, blue & red), the volume comes to 1.3 yardsł. This does [b]not[/b] take into account the footer which raises a question. How large should the footer be, should it extend 4" below the wall and outwards front and back 2"? I have two options for concrete supply, a single 2 yardł option or a larger truck which can delivery anything from a short load upwards to 8 yardsł. That said, if I can get away with the 2 yardł option that would be ideal. [b][u]Rebar[/u][/b]: Likely going to use 3/8" rebar. All walls, will have [u]two[/u] horizontal runs of rebar overlapped no less than 5'. I'm still working through the rebar install logistics, might suspend them during the pour or elevate them off the ground with some supports (tbd). [u][b]Drainage[/b][/u]: I plan to put 3/4 PVC weep holes in the larger (blue) wall. These will be placed every 4' and will sit 4" below the backfill. I still need to research how these are integrated into the form and what prevents them from just clogging with dirt and mud when it rains. Even with the weep holes I'm a bit concerned with building a wall so close to the foundation of the house. I was thinking of crushed rock behind the larger (blue) wall and installing perforated pipe allowing excess water to drain to the left and back (the rock would be graded that direction). I'd do something similar on the smaller (yellow) wall on the right (allowing water to exit to the right). [img]https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/1603x846/1_07ac542dc7ab1a5e761820e9a401e730f891c2ab.jpg[/img] [img]https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/1503x833/2_44438ff93fef2e2a493447f7cb49f12f58db8b7f.jpg[/img]

So I’ve had this vision for a patio behind my house for some time. I’ve collected several hundred recycled Brick and hundred or so sqft of river/creek rock. Ideally I’d like the center of my patio to be made from the bricks. It’ll give me a solid, uniform, and level plane for a patio table and chairs. That part seems pretty straight forward. Then I intended to take the River rock and surround the Brick center to expand my square footage. The irregular sized/shaped river rock will require more sand underneath to allow for leveling and compensate for the variations in thickness of the rocks. And although I intend to try to fill in as much as possible with smaller rocks, the joints on the rock side will be a lot wider and vary in size. I guess that’s a long way of asking what type of base and sand/gap filler would you recommend for the Brick and the rock. I’ve included apicture of my rock so you can see the material in working with. Also appreciate all those trips out of the creek loading that rock! Haha [img]https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/720x1280/b6c03e65_5f9d_4994_844b_019f76729e6c_a8c21cd6c82b05723a8753f7ebc85c1fe78c32b4.jpeg[/img]