We had a project several years ago that had a CMU issue. They performed an infrared scan with a ThermaCAM T420, and it perfectly showed which cells were grouted. Not sure of cost or who paid.
Are those base blocks trimmed at the bottom? Are they set on an aggregate base, or possibly concrete? To me, easiest fix is to replace the leveling course and embed the wall 6 or 8 inches by adding compacted soil in front. Monitor over time and replace soil as needed. You could armor the added...
We've had good luck with an HP T630 purchased 4 or 5 years ago, and its predecessor was also an HP that lasted a decent amount of time. They are 24 inch models though.
One note to add, segmental walls aren't designed for a bearing pressure. The wall design will give you the applied bearing pressure. The width of the retained zone typically yields a bearing capacity with a large FOS (and much larger than what is typically seen for a strip or column footing)...
My version of AutoCAD has a "DWG to PDF" printer. It typically produces smaller pdf sizes than other pdf printers available. Not sure if its an autocad printer or something I installed ages ago. Actually, I just tried a small file using "Adobe Smallest Size" and got a significantly smaller pdf...
Those numbers (grid length and wall height) seem strange to me too. Are those grid lengths coming from your internal stability analysis or the external global stability performed by others?
We deal with special inspections quite often. I would expect the schedule of special inspections for this project to be produced by the tank design engineer who would be listed as engineer of record. We, as geotechnical engineers, even when we produce a report, which doesn't sound like the case...
It is in the one's we design (grid installed between boulders, similar to a block wall). Similar methodology to LOTE. I also agree stepping up the grid strength a bit due to damage.
I have been told by contractors in my area (Southeast US) that slab-on-grade is cheaper than doing a crawlspace (exterior shallow spread footings and interior piers with wood framed floor). They will even build up exterior walls a few feet, backfill behind the walls with soil and pour a slab on...
MTNClimber - Thanks for the anecdotes and link. Interesting read. I hear the same types of things from contractors. "Can't believe they used that system...."
MTNClimber - Could you elaborate on issues you've experienced with aggregate piers or rigid inclusions? Or link to such info? We've recommended them on several projects in recent years and other than equipment breakdowns and occasional mis-location haven't experienced any problems that I'm aware...
I don't have much experience with flowable grout, but 9 feet of drainage aggregate, grid and block seems like a lot to flow through. And, you don't know how much soil has washed into the crushed stone. Depending on the extent of the damage, maybe some formwork and grout from the bottom, possibly...
We do these occasionally, and typically spec a silty sand with less than 45% passing. A bit more silty material will probably be put behind it as there is plenty of that material in our area and it's not much of a wall. You'd want a relatively low permeability but typically the pond should...
