BS EN 15258:2008

What is BS EN 15258 - Precast concrete for retaining wall elements about?

BS EN 15258 is a European Standard on precast concrete products. The main aim of BS EN 15258 is to provide the best industry guidance on ensuring your precast concrete products such as retaining walls are reliable for use.

BS EN 15258 deals with the requirements, the basic performance criteria and evaluation of conformity for precast elements made of plain, reinforced or prestressed normal weight concrete, used for the construction of retaining walls.

The products covered by BS EN 15258 are intended to be used as part of retaining walls in applications such as:

• To retain natural ground excavations and trenches
• To retain earth fills for roads, platforms, etc.
• In bridge abutments and their flank walls
• To retain several kinds of loose materials such as sand, gravel, etc

Note: BS EN 15258 does not cover:

• Products for retaining walls of tanks or reservoirs of liquids
• Retaining wall elements up to a height of 1,0 m and those assembled to form retaining walls of up to 1,0 m in height (e.g., stacked flower boxes for dwarf walls) if the corresponding retaining wall is used for secondary loads (max. horizontal earth fill and with light surcharge)
• Products for stacked planting boxes, having only façade functions, and therefore not submitted to any loads (such as earth pressure loads, highway load effects, etc.)
• Precast diaphragm walls (concrete sheet piling)

Who is BS EN 15258 - Precast concrete for retaining wall elements for?

BS EN 15258 on precast concrete products is useful for:

• Manufacturers of concrete and concrete products
• Specialists in the production of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete
• Cement production companies
• Builders and architects
• Civil engineers
• Contractors

Why should you use BS EN 15258 - Precast concrete for retaining wall elements?

Precast concrete retaining wall is a structural feature that holds back a sloping patch of soil. These walls are suggested over other vulnerable materials since it provides structural support to reduce soil erosion or collapse, especially due to storms.

In this regard, BS EN 15258 covers the requirements of the constituent materials, geometrical and surface characteristics of concrete, and includes test methods, evaluation of conformity and marking of the concrete products.

If you are a manufacturer of precast concrete products, complying with BS EN 15258 can help demonstrate the performance and quality of your product, ensuring that they are fit for its intended use.  Thus, you can ensure your precast concrete contributes to the structural integrity and stability of your construction projects.