Category Archives: retaining wall problems

retaining wall problems, tiebacks

Case Study: Mill Valley Slide Repair Soldier Pile Walls with Tiebacks Save Property

The Challenge
During the winter of 2017, a large section of this hillside property in Mill Valley started to slide downhill. RWR was called in on an emergency basis to stabilize the property before further catastrophic failure occurred. An existing soldier beam retaining wall at the head scarp was becoming undermined and a section of a wall at the bottom of the slide had begun to yield and was out of plumb. The yielding section of the lower wall was directly downhill from a corner of the residence and a collapse would have caused the slide to fail directly up to the foundation, putting the house at risk.

Action
The head scarp was stabilized by installing a system of tiebacks and walers to restrain the majority of the existing upper retaining wall, while an older section of wall directly under a small guest house was completely removed and replaced with a new steel soldier pile wall and the same tieback and waler system.
The failing section of the lower wall was completely demolished and replaced and the wall was then ex­tended across the entire hillside to retain the bottom of the slide. The same wall design was used: a steel soldier pile and p.t. wood lagging system restrained at the top with tiebacks and steel walers. Tiebacks and walers were also installed across the remaining existing lower wall to prevent any further failures.
The hillside was rebuilt by benching the slide area, installing sub-drains and then reinstalling the soil in compacted lifts. The project was completed by seeding then placing erosion control netting over all disturbed areas.

Results:
The property has been successfully and completely sta­bilized, and has cy­cled through several heavy winters with no further move­ment or distress. The subsurface drainage systems in the earth benches and behind the lower wall are preventing any hy­drostatic buildup in the soils as well. The owner’s property has been returned to its full use and value.

Captions:
Yielding Lower Wall Undermining Of Wall At Head Scarp
Uphill View Of Landslide With Fissures And Sloughing Visible
Tearing Out Failed Section Of Lower Wall
Midway Through Construction With Slope Rebuilt
Aerial View Of Stabilized Property

RWR Construction Inc. 200 Gary Place, San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 457-5658 www.RWR-inc.com

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retaining wall problems, underpinning

The Challenge
A large exterior retaining wall was starting to fail and endanger a Presidio Heights home.
Because the house was built above and close to the retaining wall, a failure would have meant severe settlement and structural damage or partial collapse of the house.

Action:
Since the wall could not be removed without first supporting the house, a system of drilled piers with grade beams was installed under the house and extended beneath the exterior foundation and fireplace. These cantilevered beams supported the house while the retaining wall was demolished and replaced with a new shotcrete wall. After the struc­tural work was complete, the wall was stuccoed and painted and the landscaping was replaced.

Results:
The house sits on the corner of Walnut St. doubly supported by the cantilevered shoring system left in place and the new retaining wall. Safety and property values have been fully restored and the residence is an enhancement to the neighborhood.

Captions:
Underpinned house with top of old retaining wall removed
Closeup of underpinned foundation showing ends of earth-cast cantilevered beams projecting through foundation.
Removing failed retaining wall
Shotcrete wall ready for finish work
Finished wall with house secured
The final result

RWR Construction Inc. 200 Gary Place, San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 457-5658 www.RWR-inc.com

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