MSE Retaining Wall Repair

Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls are a common way to provide structural stability and carry heavy loads for various construction projects. Building a retaining wall requires a deep understanding of how the facing, soil reinforcements, and backfill materials interact and how they fulfill the wall’s design criteria.

Unfortunately, even the best-designed walls fail and will require repair or replacement. A retaining wall repair allows for a cost-effective solution that minimizes the impact on the supporting infrastructure while still providing the necessary performance without needing costly and disruptive replacements.

Our globally recognized MSE repair and rehabilitation team at GeoStabilization International® is available throughout the United States, Canada and Australasia to restabilize and restore MSE retaining walls and provide specialized MSE retaining wall repair.

Common Causes of MSE Wall Failure

While age and changing conditions may necessitate a retaining wall repair, installation mistakes may have contributed to faster disintegration and a more urgent need for wall repair. Common causes of a failing retaining wall include:

• Failure to consider proper drainage and weep holes
• Lack of adequate compaction
• Use of widely spaced soil nails and other reinforcement methods
• Incorrect soil choice — use of on-site clay soils instead of soil with low plasticity

Retaining Wall Repair Techniques

Wherever possible, we recommend in-situ retaining wall repair. Not only is this method more cost-effective than other alternatives, but it also preserves the integrity of existing structures and is suitable for repairs to:

• Soil nailing
• Bridge abutments
• Modular block retaining walls
• Historic rock walls
• Concrete walls

The two most common in-situ wall repair methods are the helical tie-back system and the buttress system. Most engineers prefer the helical tie-back system as it’s relatively easy to install under existing structures and micropiles and can eventually straighten the original MSE wall over time.

Case Study of GeoStabilization International® MSE Wall Repair

During a significant two-day rain event in Nashville, Tennessee, a large portion of a Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall supporting a shopping center completely failed. The MSE wall varied in height up to 30 feet and supported an asphalt roadway within several feet of the existing structure. The failure collapsed most of the asphalt drive and jeopardized the shopping center structure’s foundation.

The failure resulted from poor MSE wall backfill and inadequate surface drainage above the wall. The MSE wall construction comprised lean-to-fat clay with sand (phosphate) and silt. Additionally, the wall was founded on 10 to 20 feet of poor-quality clay underlain by a zone of extensively weathered limestone with intermittent and random small-to-large voids.

The client advertised a competitively bid Design-Build RFP to a handful of geotechnical contractors who submitted cost-proposals utilizing various technologies for completing this repair. Due to our low cost, rapid mobilization, and high factor of safety inherent in our design, the GeoStabilization International® design-build team ultimately received the award for all phases of stabilization effort. This work included all engineering, constructing stabilization systems for the existing slope, commercial structure, portions of MSE wall that were still standing, GCS® services for building the wall, and providing ScourMicropiles™ foundation improvements for the stability of the newly constructed wall.

Benefits of Working with GeoStabilization International®

At GeoStabilization International®, we work with clients across the United States, Canada, and Australasia to provide turn-key solutions to various MSE retaining wall repairs. Our team members call on an extensive suite of specialty tools and equipment to repair a retaining wall without needing significant excavation or complete replacement.

In-situ retaining wall repair offers many benefits, and our team of experts has the experience to design and develop a wall repair plan to meet the challenges of any situation. As a top-tier remediation and mitigation company, we rely on the collaboration of specialists —including geotechnical engineers, skilled masons, and experienced operators — to provide rapid, reliable, and affordable repair to any MSE retaining or soil-nail wall.

GeoStabilization International® has developed a global reputation for providing affordable, high-quality services for all retaining wall repair and rehabilitation. Not only can we address current issues with a retaining wall, but our ScourMicropiles™ foundation improvements and GCS® shotcrete wall-building services will ensure that your restored wall is far superior to its aging predecessor. Call us at 855-579-0536 today for more information.