Influence of defects on reliability of reinforced concrete retaining wall

Abstract

One of the main structures in earth dam hydro schemes is retaining walls, which purpose is to resist the lateral pressure of soil. Therefore, it is important for them to remain safe and reliable. For the achievement of this aim, it is important to determine the variation of structure safety under the influence of various defects occurring because of the impact of the environment. According to literature sources, the most objective safety of structure can be estimated by probabilistic method. Depending on this method, the random statistical dispersal of material and impact are estimated the same as the consequence class of structure. In order to evaluate the influence of these defects (concrete deterioration impacted by frost while forming of potholes as well as due to the attrition of the mechanical affect; concrete and steel corrosion) of reinforced concrete constructions upon the safety of structures, two variants of cantilever angle retaining wall were selected for the research. During the research it was estimated that the most dangerous defects for retaining walls are the decreasing thickness of structure (impact of cyclic freezing - thawing and attrition of ice and sediments) and corrosion of reinforcement (decreasing area of cross-section of reinforcement). The corrosion of concrete (decreasing strength of concrete) is not directly so important but it is connected with previous parameters. The weak concrete is not resistant to freezing - thawing and mechanical affects and in weak concrete carbonization process runs faster.