Unknown Walkout Retaining Wall

[CANeng11]

We have been asked to provide a repair detail for a walkout retaining wall (see attached picture). We don't have details on the reinforcement or footings, but the wall has a bow to it and it's about 10 years old. It's about 30 feet long, 6 feet high and 8 inch thick concrete (icf). The contractor would like to pour a slab in the bottom to restrain the bottom of the wall, but he is unsure how to reinforce the top of the wall. I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas?

 

[r13]

I think the bulging of the retaining wall is caused by the soil state transition from active (design) to at rest condition. Unlike typical retaining wall, which is free to rotate for a small amount to re-instate the active pressure, this wall is restraint at both ends, thus it needs to move more in the middle to change the state of soil pressure. I don't know where is your project, but will frost heave action exert a considerable amount of force, which wasn't considered in the original design?

Excavation and back fill is a good approach, but does the excavation needs to be extended to the wall base? I think proper drainage with partial soil improvement is a viable solution.

 

[KootK]

You can find some freely available information on gravity retaining wall design here: Link. It's not exactly your case but should give you a flavor for the approach.