Failure of an 8-Meter-High Segmental Block Wall in the Northeast United States - Reinforced Soil Engineering: Advances in Research and Practice - page 109

Failure of an 8-Meter-High
Segmental Block Wall in the
Northeast United States
C. M. Reith, G. S. Paxson, and A. W. Cadden
Schnabel Engineering Associates, Inc., West Chester,
Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes the failure, investigation, and remediation of two sections
of a geogrid reinforced segmental concrete block retaining wall. This wall was
completed in August 1997 and was followed by heavy precipitation in the
following fall, winter, and spring. The first failure occurred without any warning
about 5 months after construction. The second failure occurred at a different
location in the wall about 5 months after the first failure was repaired. The second
failure was progressive and exhibited large deformations for several weeks
before the collapse occurred.
A geotechnical engineering study was conducted at this site prior to design
of the wall, and full time observation and field density testing were performed
during fill placement and compaction as the wall was constructed. Field
investigations were conducted during the demolition of the first failed section, and
a drilling program was used to evaluate the remaining areas of the wall. Standard
penetration tests (SPT), in-situ density tests, soil laboratory testing, and a review
of construction observation and testing records were performed in an attempt to
determine the cause of the failure. No clear single reason for the wall failure was
identified during this work. It is believed that the failure occurred as a result of
several problems during construction that compounded to cause the failures.