Poor Protection Against Water: Path to Failure of Reinforced Soil Wall

摘要

Reinforced soil structures are generally designed as fully drained, i.e. without effect of water. Drainage layers in contact with the original ground surface should prevent the effect of lift up as well as the hydrostatic pressure from the nearby ground. It is also very important to avoid accumulation of rain and surface running water on the surface of an incomplete structure. However, one of the largest reinforced soil structures in the Czech Republic which was built near Prague in 2006 to accommodate large warehouses is a good example of negligence of the above mentioned principles. The reinforced fill was built on a slope inclined toward south and reached height of max. 15 m and inclination of the facing was between 50° to 90°. The surface of the fill near the facing was designed with impervious paved areas. However, the structure was left incomplete and surface running rain water was allowed to accumulate on the surface. After three seasons first cracks appeared and quickly widened. The structure was saved with partial unloading and drainage measures that prevented the ingress of surface running water into the fill.