Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall Failure at Two Soft and Sensitive Soil Sites
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 22, Issue 6
Abstract
Two highway bridge approaches, about 10 and in height, near Kolkata (Calcutta), India constructed with mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) failed recently. These structures were founded on sensitive, soft and compressible, fine-grained soils of the intertidal flats and backswamps of the Ganges delta. One of these MSE walls, which failed in the final stages of its construction, was constructed after foundation soils were strengthened with prefabricated vertical drain installation and preloading. The second MSE wall that failed within a month of its opening for traffic was constructed on unimproved ground. Fortunately, immediate collateral damage from these incidents was small. Using pre and postconsolidation shear strengths the MSE walls were redesigned. Reconstruction involved prefabricated vertical drain installation at the second site and construction of stabilizing berms at both locations. The facilities are now operational and appear to be performing satisfactorily. Details of the failures, postfailure investigations, and monitoring, redesign, and reconstruction are presented in this paper.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 22 • Issue 6 • December 2008
Pages: 373 - 380
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 6, 2007
Accepted: Apr 21, 2008
Published online: Dec 1, 2008
Published in print: Dec 2008
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