×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Drainage Ditch Sidewall Failure

Drainage Ditch Sidewall Failure

Drainage Ditch Sidewall Failure

(OP)
Have poured approx 1200' paved ditch. All concrete/steel passed spec inspection. Large Paved area adjacent to 200'.
2 drain outlets from paved area about 30' from top of wall. Wall failed in this area (large longitudional crack @ approx. 3' up.) Wall 9' high on 1:1 (45 degree)slope. Fill material red clay. Compaction spec acheived. Significant rain event preceeded break. Remainder of wall no problem. Hydrologist suggests that either rain retained in equipment (Euclid trucks) ruts or equipment loads passing behind wall during construction are cause. Some agree, I doubt.  Any ideas, suggestions,etc?               

RE: Drainage Ditch Sidewall Failure

how about leaking joint in the drain pipe, saturating the subgrade behind the wall?

RE: Drainage Ditch Sidewall Failure

More info please.

Was this wall designed for saturated clay, expansive clay?? Exactly what backfill condition assumed?

Is that 1:1 slope included in the wall design pressure

Any backfill drainage features included?

Does the design assume that upper paved area will be a waterproof roof?  

Also what kind of country: arid, temperate, cold??

RE: Drainage Ditch Sidewall Failure

I like oldestguy's entry.  I've passed compaction on clay here in Washington State, 90% min, that came up 85% or less after a winter season.  It is also telling that failure came near a drainpipe, ie. where all the water is flowing. It might be worth the money to get a local geologist consult, as this may not be the first instance you see. Of course, the fix might possibly just be replacement of this red clay, but at least you'd have it all on paper.  

Good luck!

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources