Case history studies of soil berms used as temporary support to embedded retaining walls

This study reviews the performance of the temporary support systems used at four completed embedded retaining wall schemes. Soil berms were employed at three of these schemes and, at the other scheme, soil berms were used in conjunction with raked steel temporary props. The measured wall movements in each case are compared with those calculated by back-analysis using a finite element model. The effectiveness of the construction method is assessed from the numerical analyses by comparing predicted movements using soil berms (and raked props where appropriate) with those predicted if the alternative method of using horizontal propping near the top of the wall had been used. (A)