Collapse of a backfilled wall at the Castle Wespenstein

摘要

The Castle Wespenstein is located in Thuringia, Germany, and was built around 1250.rnDue to a fire in the 17th century, most of the roofs were damaged and a large area of the castle was abandoned.rnThe rubble was deposited behind the walls which were not supposed to carry any earth pressure. Inrnspite of that, the vast majority of the walls remained stable over the centuries. In one particular section, arnsudden collapse of the backfilled wall took place in 2010. This contribution gives an overview of the wallrnand backfill mechanical properties. A geotechnical analysis of the wall and backfill system is performedrnand options for the rehabilitation are discussed.