Timber Retaining Wall - Timber Lifespan.

**dantbaker** · 9th January 2010, 01:49 PM

Hello,

This question has probably been asked a million times, but we are building a timber retaining wall and aren't sure whether to use treated pine or hardwood. The hardwood we are looking to use is Ironbark.

We have done a fair bit of research and there are so many conflicting oppinions out there over which will last longer. I am building the proper drainage etc behind the wall and coating any part of the timber in a bitumen paint-type stuff. The posts will also be timber (due to costs vs galvanised steel) cemented in - and the section of the post cemented will also be coated with bitumen.

So the big question is, whch is likely to last longer, treated pine or Ironbark. Everything I have read on Ironbark says it will last 40 years + in ground contact.

Many thanks

Dan

**Sam** · 9th January 2010, 02:17 PM

Hi,

Timber Building in Australia

http://www.timber.org.au/resources/R...P4%2072dpi.pdf

The above two links probably have way more info than you need however it sounds like you've gone pretty deeply into it.

Off the top of my head treated pine is good for about 25 years in ground so either way you wont be up for replacing the timber at least anytime soon. You'd need to consider if the bolts and drainage will last that long too.

Good luck,

Sam

**funkychicken** · 9th January 2010, 08:38 PM

I wouldn't dare waste a good ironbark log on sleepers and neither would any other sawmiller. Treated pine or treated hardwood (random Eucs.) are your only options. Use hardwood, it's harder to work with and will cost more but won't warp as much as pine. If it's a high wall then pine won't be strong enough

**Master Splinter** · 9th January 2010, 09:27 PM

H4 or H5 treated pine should be good for at least 50 years; I've seen 30 year old stuff pulled out of the ground and it looked like it was good for at least another 30. The expected in ground service life exceeds 100 years.

**dantbaker** · 10th January 2010, 09:21 PM

Thanks for all the info guys. I went with the Ironbark sleepers - it was more expensive, but it is a lot stronger than the pine (looks metter too IMO).

Cheers,
Dan

**david4456** · 4th November 2010, 07:37 AM

hi all,

is their an answer to if treated pine or hardwood better?

I have also found a retaining wall steel supplier does anyone know if thay are as cheap as they say their web site is http://rwsteel.com.au

thanks
david

**artme** · 5th November 2010, 10:55 AM

I built my retaining wall from treated Euc. Sleepers. It's been upabout 17 years and I epect it to last another 10.

Then I'm in trouble!!!

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