Failing Retaining Wall Stabilization

A client contracted GeoStabilization International® to repair several Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls. The structures showed severe signs of distress, including wall movement, cracks in the blocks, and loss of granular material throughout the face. After inspecting the site, a local engineering firm had determined that the entire perimeter required a structural repair.

It was essential to act fast, as the MSE walls were near a group of high-end condominiums, and a potential failure could endanger the health and safety of the residents. The owner selected GeoStabilization International® to carry out the retaining wall repair due to the company’s flexibility, emergency response capability, and specialty limited-access equipment.

MSE Retaining Wall Repair and Rehabilitation

MSE walls often lack adequate drainage or compaction due to construction techniques that use wide-spaced reinforcement and low-quality, on-site clay soils. These elements can cause wall movement or even total collapse in certain sections.

In such cases, repairing and rehabilitating an MSE wall can be up to 70% more affordable than a complete replacement. This is why GeoStabilization’s technicians always try to work with and around existing structures when an MSE retaining wall starts to fail.

Thanks to the company’s suite of specialty tools and equipment, the crews are often able to repair wall structures in place without the need for large-scale excavation and total replacement. This translates into considerable cost and time savings and minimal impact on surrounding roadways and other infrastructure.

Soil Nails for Retainer Wall Repair

When repairing a retaining wall, if the structure has severe deterioration, GeoStabilization’s engineers typically opt for a combination of permanent stabilization and a restacking of the salvaged stone to return the wall to its original look.

For this retainer wall repair project, GeoStabilization’s crews used high-capacity soil nails to permanently stabilize the failing structure. The technicians inserted multiple rows of up to 45-foot-long nails throughout the existing wall. The nail ends protruded through the wall to serve as anchorage points for attaching steel-reinforced shotcrete in the sections where the wall had failed completely.

Finally, GeoStabilization’s skilled masons restacked the stone blocks to match the height and geometry of the original wall. The company’s masons are trained to recreate a wide range of rock stacking patterns, including historical patterns.

A Global Leader in Retaining Wall Repair and Rehabilitation

GeoStabilization International® provides complete solutions for all types of retaining wall repair and rehabilitation to clients in the U.S., Canada, and Australasia.

Thanks to the company’s advanced technologies, specialty equipment, and skilled technicians, the crews are often able to restore and rehabilitate failing walls in place without demolishing and rebuilding them. GeoStabilization’s rehabilitation solutions can cost as little as 30% of the cost of total replacement, with a project duration of days or weeks, not months. The restored wall surfaces can match the existing wall and come with a 75-year design life guarantee.

Would you like to learn more about the company’s retaining wall repair services or seek assistance with your project? Call GeoStabilization at 855-579-0536 or contact the company today.