1.

What is retaining structure

A retaining wall is a structure that holds or retains soil behind it. There are many
types of materials that can be used to create retaining walls like concrete
blocks, poured concrete, treated timbers, rocks or boulders. Some are easy to
use, others have a shorter life span, but all can retain soil.

2.State the types of retaining structures that commonly used in Malaysia

Sheetpile wall
Gabion meshes
Soil nailing
Geotextile
Pre-cast crib walls

Explain some common failure modes of retaining structure

Sliding failure
Sliding failure is nothing but sliding of wall away from backfill when there us
shearing failure at the base of wall.
Overturning failure
Overturning failure is rotation of wall about is toe due to exceeding of
moment caused due to overturning force to resisting forces.
Bearing capacity failure
The pressure extend by resultant vertical force at toe of wall must not exceed
the allowable bearing capacity of the soil.

4. Explain the construction consideration for retaining structure

Materials. When choosing materials, select the type that is best suited for the required
result. Many long-lasting materials are available for landscape use including flagstone rock,
recycled concrete paving treated timbers, vertical poles, precast concrete modular units, poured
concrete, and brick veneer.
Foundations. A wall is only as good as its foundation and all retaining walls should be built on
structurally sound, compacted foundation sub-base material. Leveled and compacted earth or
gravel fill are acceptable. The foundation material should extend at least one foot beyond the
front and back of the base width of the wall. When building dry-laid stone walls, place the
largest, most stable stones on the bottom of the wall, and be aware that the base width may
need to be as wide as the wall is high.

Type of wall. The type of wall you choose should be determined by need. Decide if you
need a poured-in-place concrete "structural" wall or a much less expensive "dry-laid wall"
consisting of stacked, open-joint material.

5.State the laboratory testing that involved before construct the retaining structures.
Mechanical analysis
Unconfined compression
Shrinkage factors
Permeability
Plastic limit (PL) and Liquid limit (LL)

6.Discuss the solution on how to prevent retaining structure from failure.

Drainage. The lack of proper drainage is the most common reason for

retaining wall failure. When water is absorbed into the soil behind a retaining
wall and it has no place to go, the pressure behind the wall is increased. If
the water continues to build up, it will eventually push the wall out, causing it
to bulge or collapse. Installing drain pipes and using a clean, granular rock
for both the backfill and the base of the wall will allow water to drain out.
The pressure will be released and wall failure will be prevented.
Compaction. Poor compaction will eventually cause a retaining wall to shift,
producing large gaps within the wall. The soil needs to be compacted once
at the point of excavation, again after the gravel base has been added, and
each time backfill is added. (Backfill should be added after each course of
the wall has been installed). The most effective way to do this is to use a
piece of machinery called (you guessed it!) a compactor.

7. Find one example of case study that related to retaining structure. The topic involved
in the case study may be related to the type if retaining structure that used, construction
method, failure mode and solution on how to prevent the failure. Explain all the topic
involved in the case study. Attached the case study at the end of this assignment.