FOUNDATION PROBLEM

[freddyjnr01]

which is the best solution to save a building from collapsing near a river body located 2.5m away. During dry seasons, the building is safe but when rains start the water level rises 1.8m eroding the soil around the foundation and gradually exposing it(foundation). the building is 1m above the bed of the river.??
1. a retaining wall at 1.5m from the structure
2. gabion wall at 1.5m from the structure
thank you.

 

[msquared48]

Not building the structure so close to a stream that can change course in the first place.

But aside from that, I would opt for the gabion wall and pipe piling under the building foundation.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[dcarr82775]

Might the erosion not undermine either option? placing a fair bit of rip rap on the stream side might help control that. Gabions probably easier to build, then underpin the foundations on that side.

 

[oldestguy]

Rigid retaining walls, unless very long and with "wings", can lose all their retained soil due to erosion activity getting behind them. Then, your wall serves no purpose.

 

[cvg]

well, erosion is not limited to rigid walls. neither option is much good. what you need is a floodwall which is a very stout wall and it may not need to retain anything but water. but it will need a very deep foundation. sheet piles are often used as the cutoff.

 

[freddyjnr01]

Thanks guys for help. Was a little busy to reply. I used the gabion wall of unit volume 25m3 and for now its working fine. and as msquared48 suggested, the pipe piling was used for the detached structure which was in the water body. Though quite expensive, we are done withthe foundation and ready to put on the structure