Performance of a 6-year-old geosynthetic-reinforced segmental retaining wall

This paper presents the results of an investigation of a geosynthetic- reinforced segmental retaining wall, which exhibited signs of distress and unexpected large lateral wall movements 6 years after wall completion. In an attempt to identify possible causes and to provide mitigation measures, a comprehensive investigation was carried out including wall profiling, stability analyses based on the current design approaches, and finite-element analyses. The wall profiling revealed that the entire wall sections had experienced significant lateral movements due to poor construction quality control. The results of the profiling together with those from the limit-equilibrium stability analysis and the finite-element analysis suggested that the short- and long-term stability could not be assured. Several remedial measures were recommended with due consideration of the site conditions.