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1925 concrete retaining wall - back into place

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SLTA

SLTA

Structural
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Aug 11, 2008
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I'm working on a residential renovation where the concrete retaining wall at the steps from the sidewalk to the house has tilted, bigtime. The owner wants me to tell them to dig out behind it, shove it back into place, and tie it back (the plan from a local contractor) but I'm just not sure that will actually work, especially because the front wall along the sidewalk is also tilted. I've attached a picture of the existing situation and the sketch of the proposed repair. Any thoughts?
 
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Has the wall moved because of creep of the concrete? or more likely, the soil beneath the wall has consolidated. Trying to tilt it back will not likely work. You may be able to excavate behind it and use 'mudjacking' to tilt it into place along with forcefully tilting it. You have to realise that if it is reinforced, the reinforcing will likely be in the wrong location for the new forces.

You may try to dissuade them from this remedy. They have to accept the responsibility if the wall breaks...

Dik
 
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It can probably be done but at great expense and peril. Why not tear it down and install a pretty new Versa-lok type wall??
 
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Dik and Mike, those thoughts are exactly mine, too. Dik, the wall has rotated as a whole, so it is due to soil. I had recommended a CMU wall with a parge coat to match the other side, but the owner wants everything as cheap as possible, and thinks this other version will be less expensive. Hmmm.

Out of curiosity, are the attachments showing up for you guys? Eng-Tips has been really weird for me for a few days now...
 
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No attachments... You can always tell the owner pay me once or pay me twice!!
 
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The site was upgraded and they are having some problems with attachments - should be fixed soon.

 
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Although they work, I have a personal preference not to use CMU units for retaining structures... Segmental precast as Mikey suggested is a good alternative...

Dik
 
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