Retaining Wall Failure Investigation

Highlights of our investigation include the following:

• Reviewed design and construction documents, manufacturer’s literature, reference standards, building codes, and expert reports
• Visited the site to document post-failure conditions
• Developed and implemented field and laboratory investigations, including locating and making observations at test pits, detecting leaks in adjacent pressurized water-bearing utilities, and testing soils in the area
• Performed a microscopic examination of a failed 2 in. dia. buried polyvinyl chloride irrigation line in our laboratory
• Assessed the effects of soil type, relative compaction, moisture content, and shear strength on the wall failures
• Analyzed the stability of the as-designed and as-built wall configuration
• Developed a detailed sequence of events, including construction activities and weather to help identify factors contributing to the failures
• Evaluated repair options for the MSE wall and provided recommendations for buried utility repairs