Blowout, Wet Soil & Frost Heave - 3 Common Failures in Retaining Wall Structural Design

1
Blowout, Wet Soil Frost Heave - 3 Common
Failures in Retaining Wall Structural
DesignByNikunj Patel
Web www.hitechcaddservices.com Email
info_at_hitechcaddservices.com
2
Designing and Building A Retaining Wall
Structure A retaining wall might seem to some,
a simple structure of stone, concrete or timber,
however designing and building a retaining wall
structure involves complex engineering. Retaining
wall restricts and binds the tons of soil that
can erode due to water flows and damage the
foundation of the surrounding property.
3
Designing and Building A Retaining Wall Structure
4
The retaining walls protect a site or property,
and in the process undergo a lot of wear. They
have to stand the test of time, and if not
designed well - they crumble as time passes, and
eventually fail to serve the purpose they are
built for.
5
Retaining wall structure - Common causes of
failures ways to avoid these failures
6
 This type of failure occurs when excessive load
is added within 3 feet of the wall, in such cases
the wall leans out and eventually crumbles under
the load. Engineers should ensure that the
retaining structure is designed strong enough to
bear loads and face several other what if
scenarios that might occur.
Blowout Failure
7
Blowout Failure
8
Having a strong and a broader base and addition
of tiebacks can add strength to the structure.
9
  In such instances, the soil at the base and
behind the retaining structure gets saturated.
This, results in excessive hydrostatic water
pressure and due to this there are chances that
the wall structure weakens over time and topples.

Wet Soil Failure
10
 The best solution to avoid wall crumbling due
to hydrostatic water pressure is to excavate
native soil around 2 feet, and replace it with
bank run gravel. The inside base of the wall can
also be lined by perforated tile drains on a
gravel bed. The top soil should take up to 6
inches behind the wall.
Wet Soil Failure
11
When the retaining wall does not allow
appropriate draining at the footer, then here the
soil saturates and freezes, it heaves upwards and
hence the wall structure breaks under the
pressure. In order to avoid structural crumbling
and failure due to heaving it should be ensured
that the wall base or the foundation is laid
beneath the frost line. Well drained gravel
beneath the frost line can diminish heaving and
hence avoid crumbling and structure failure.
Frost Heave Failure
12
Frost Heave Failure
13
A retaining wall structure is a barrier usually
erected for blocking flood or flowing water from
a nearby water body into the owners site or
property.
Frost Heave Failure
14
When architects and engineers collaborate to
build one, they can be designed such that they
look very much a part of the surrounding
landscape and only heighten its beauty and
utility. There barriers can also create
constructive space by terracing slopped
properties. These terraced or flat lands can be
used for developing inviting landscapes and also
for building residential structures on to them.
Frost Heave Failure
15
Hi-Tech CADD Services is an India based
architectural design and engineering service
provider. The full range of services delivered by
the company include and are not limited to 3D
modeling, CAD conversion, architectural MEP and
structural engineering, landscape design and many
more. The company has a proven track record of
developing highly complex but very strong and
stable retaining wall structures thus garnering
client appreciation and ongoing business.
16
Contact usCompany Address Hi-Tech HouseNear
Gurukul TowerGurukul, Ahmedabad- 380
052,Gujarat, IndiaWebsite http//www.hitechca
ddservices.com/Email info_at_hitechcaddservices.co
m
The Original Article Published at
http//archinect.com/firms/release/73680680/blowo
ut-wet-soil-frost-heave-3-common-failures-in-retai
ning-wall-structural-design/112920888