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Forensic Analysis of a Distressed Reinforced Earth Wall: Key Lessons for the Future

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Abstract

A recently constructed flexible pavement and reinforced earth (RE) wall were subjected to distress, the details of which and the remedial measures adopted are presented in this study. When the RE wall design was completed and construction began, the contractor decided to use locally available fly ash as a backfill material instead of the backfill material proposed in the design. The entire backfill material (fly ash) was exposed to seasonal rainfall after the RE wall was constructed but before the flexible pavement was laid. However, excess water was not removed from the backfill material prior to the construction of the flexible pavement. Unfortunately, the drainage system of the RE wall does not conform to the design. Hence, the infiltrated rainwater went out through the fascia of the RE wall along with the fines present in the fly ash. As a result, local settlements and potholes are formed on the surface of the flexible pavement and lead to significant penetration of a tire of a construction vehicle. A forensic investigation has been conducted to determine the possible causes of the incident. The investigation revealed that when the intended backfill was changed, the design of the RE wall was not revised accordingly. Moreover, the investigation demonstrated that the size of the fly ash fines was less than the size of the apparent opening size of the geotextile filter used to cover the joints of successive fascia panels. Gravity grouting the potholes with cement mortar was done as a remedial measure. Now, the pavement has been subjected to another rainfall event, and as its performance is satisfactory, it is open to regular traffic.

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Data Availability

Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Funding

This work was partially funded by public works department, State Government of Maharashtra.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, 400076, India

    S. M. Dasaka

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS)-Pilani, Hyderabad, 500078, India

    Ammavajjala Sesha Sai Raghuram

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  1. S. M. Dasaka
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  2. Ammavajjala Sesha Sai Raghuram
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Correspondence to S. M. Dasaka.

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Dasaka, S.M., Raghuram, A.S.S. Forensic Analysis of a Distressed Reinforced Earth Wall: Key Lessons for the Future. Indian Geotech J 54, 185–195 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-023-00767-8

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