Retaining walls

Design, integrity and serviceability, and risks for the geotechnical engineer

Terry Waters

Retaining walls are one of the highest risk activities in geotechnical engineering.  Failures range from complete collapse to unacceptable displacement under service conditions. Although the most common causes of failure, whether of structural integrity or serviceability, are relatively uncomplicated engineering issues, retaining walls continue to fail. Causes typically arise from inadequate geotechnical investigations, lack of allowance for drainage and groundwater influences, temporary conditions and ground/retaining wall interaction. Biases in design and decision-making, and inadequate communication between the designer, constructor and owner can often be significant contributing causes. The challenges and risks faced by the geotechnical engineer in the design, construction and maintenance phases of the life of a retaining wall are addressed with due consideration of regulatory requirements, liabilities and the legal environment. Examples of failures in the Perth area and other parts of Australia are presented to illustrate these issues.

About the speaker

Terry Waters

Terry commenced his career as a geotechnical and construction engineer and has now developed complementary expertise in contaminated land, waste and project management, and quality systems.  He has extensive experience in the infrastructure, mining, and oil and gas areas. This experience has been gained in Australia and internationally in Asia, Canada, the Middle East and Africa. In recent years he has undertaken forensic investigations of failed retaining walls in the Perth area.

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