HKIE Geotechnical Division &

School of Professional Development in Construction

Top-up Course for TCP T3 on GIFW and Building Works with

Significant Geotechnical Content

Retaining Wall Engineering

Ir. K K Pang
Associate Director, Fugro (Hong Kong) Ltd
(26 February 2021)
 Topics to cover

1. Categories of Retaining Walls

2. Improvements to Existing Retaining Walls
3. Design and Construction Considerations
4. Site Supervision Requirements
5. Rigid Debris-Resisting Barriers Detailing
 Topic 1

Categories of Retaining Walls

 1. Categories of Retaining Walls
(A) Gravity Retaining Walls
Walls that are heavy enough to retain materials
behind the wall

(i) Mass Concrete Retaining Wall

(ii) Crib Wall

(iii) Gabion Wall

(iv) Reinforced Earth Retaining Wall

(v) Masonry Retaining Wall

 1. Categories of Retaining Walls
(B) Reinforced Concrete Retaining Walls

(i) L-shaped or Inverted T-shaped

Cantilever Retaining Walls

(ii) Counterfort Retaining Walls

(iii) Buttressed Retaining Walls

(iii) Buttressed Retaining Wall

(C) Cantilevered Retaining Walls

(i) Large diameter Bored Pile Walls,
(ii) Large diameter Caisson Walls, and
(iii) Small diameter Soldier/Pipe Pile Walls

(Extracted from GeoGuide 1)

 1(A) Gravity Retaining Walls
(i) Mass Concrete Retaining Walls

Compacted fill
Retaining wall

Drainage/filter
layer

• Particularly suitable for retained height < 3m. Not cost effective for height > 3m
• Simple to construct, but requires more working space
• Expansion joints typical at about 15m to 25m, contraction joints at about 7.5m
• Drainage blanket provided at back, which can be replaced by geotextile filters.
• Mesh reinforcement usually provided to concrete face to control shrinkage cracks.
 1(A) Gravity Retaining Walls
(ii) Crib Walls
• Precast concrete beams
fabricated ‘cages’, infilled with
free draining rock aggregates
• Drainage provision similar to
mass concrete walls to be
provided at rear face
• Sensitive to differential
settlement. Not suitable for
grounds liable to excessive
settlement, nor to support
heavy surcharges.
• Height in general less than 7 m.
• Could be erected quickly if
beams available.
Closed-faced
• There are concerns of insects,
rats and snakes from the wall Open-faced
 1(A) Gravity Retaining Walls

(ii) Crib Walls

Closed-faced walling
- suitable for river training

Open-faced walling
- allow vegetation to grow
 1(A) Gravity Retaining Walls
(iii) Gabion Walls
• Formed by filling baskets (of typical
size of 1m x 1m x 2m) by rock fill.
• Baskets commonly constructed
using galvanised steel wire sheets,
either hexagonal woven or square
welded
• Other materials, such as nylon,
polypropylene, can be used but
need to be protected against fire
• Rock infill preferably 150mm to
300mm and at least twice of the
size of opening of mesh.
• Free draining geotextile to be
provided at rear face
• Permeable and flexible, hence
widely used in river training works.
• Could be erected quickly.
 1(A) Gravity Retaining Walls
(iii) Gabion Walls

Hexagonal woven mesh

Disadvantage
Once wires corroded, they
are difficult to be repaired

Square welded mesh

 1(A) Gravity Retaining Walls
(iii) Gabion Walls

Advantage
Can be used in remote area, or for
repair of landslide sites where
insitu boulders are available

Nam Chung, Tai O

Raking Drains
to be used to
improve sub-
soil drainage

Sham Wat Road, Lantau

 1(A) Gravity Retaining Walls
(iv) Reinforced Earth Retaining Walls
Precast facing panel

Abutment

Tie-back reinforcement Retaining Wall

• Proprietary product available
• Precast concrete facing panels
• Steel or polymeric reinforcement tie backs
• Geoguide 6 – Guide to Reinforced Fill
Structure and Slope Design
• More commonly used by road embankments Embankment
and bridge abutments
 1(A) Gravity Retaining Walls
(iv) Reinforced Earth Retaining Walls
Strip reinforcement

Geogrid reinforcement
 1(A) Gravity Retaining Walls
(iv) Reinforced Earth Retaining Walls

Precast facing panels

RE wall being constructed

Completed RE wall
 1(A) Gravity Retaining Walls
(iv) Reinforced Earth Retaining Walls

Failure in May 2013, Sau Mau Ping Failure in Apr 2001, Tsing Yi

Main causes of Reinforced Earth wall failures in Hong

Kong:
i. Inadequate temporary surface water drainage
ii. The filling areas were flooded
iii. Heavy seepage through the panels
iv. Washing out of backfill from the panels
v. Dislodgement of the panels
Failure in Jun 1993, Tsing Yi
Reinforced Earth Walls should be used with
extreme care
 1(A) Gravity Retaining Walls
(v) Masonry Retaining Walls

• Now, seldom use in Hong Kong

due to high labour cost and
time consuming
• There are many existing
masonry walls in Hong Kong,
which were mostly built in the
1960’s and before.
(Extracted from GEO REPORT No. 31)

(Source: CEDD Slope Safety Web Site)

 1(A) Gravity Retaining Walls
(v) Masonry Retaining Walls
Construction Sequence

(Extracted from GEO REPORT No. 31)

 1(A) Gravity Retaining Walls

(v) Masonry Retaining Walls

• Overall stability against over- Potentially
turning, sliding & bearing capacity
failure similar to other types of
unstable line
gravity Retaining Walls (Details in
GEO Circular No.33)
• Condition of masonry wall
(Deformation / Cracks /
Displacement of stone blocks)
• When the Height/Base width (wall
slenderness ratio) >5, the wall is
liable to fail in a brittle manner. The
absence of prior warning (e.g.
deformation, cracking) makes the
failure of slender wall particularly
dangerous

(Extracted from GEO REPORT No. 31)

 1(B) Reinforced Concrete Retaining Walls
(i) L- and inverted T-Shaped Cantilever RC Retaining Walls

Shear key

• RC wall height can up to 8m high. Counterfort RC walls to be used for greater height.
• Shear key sometimes provided to improve sliding resistance.
• Drainage blanket can be replaced by proprietary drainage composite.
• Stability of temporary excavation needs to be considered.
• Support for excavation may be required for sites with space constraint.
 1(B) Reinforced Concrete Retaining Walls

(i) L- and inverted T-Shaped Cantilever RC Retaining Walls

Geotextile L-shaped RC Completed Backfilled

filter retaining wall L-shaped RC slope above
under retaining wall the wall
construction
 1(B) Reinforced Concrete Retaining Walls

(ii) Counterfort RC Retaining Walls (iii) Buttressed RC Retaining Walls

Back side of
Front side of
wall
wall

• For retained height greater than 8m

• Reduce wall thickness by T-beam action
• Counterfort walls more common than buttress walls. Counterfort walls occupy less
space in front of the walls.
 1(C) Piled Retaining Walls

(i) Large diameter Bored Pile Walls

Lagging Panel
Bored pile Bored pile

• Eliminate/reduce temporary excavation behind walls

• Require Heavy construction plants
• Require Temporary platform on sloping ground (or
provide temporary cut for sitting plant on level ground)
• Can be wholly in soil or socketted into bedrock.
• Retained height can be up to 15 m if installed with tie-
back, depending on pile diameter.
 1(C) Piled Retaining Walls

(i) Large diameter Bored Pile Walls

Bored piling construction

Bored pile wall

• Bore piling on sloping site
• Require a substantial working platform
• Working platform → high cost
 1(C) Piled Retaining Walls
(ii) Large Diameter Hand-dug Caisson Walls
People working inside
caisson

Gantry for delivery

of materials up
and down caisson
Completed Caisson wall

• Large diameter pile excavation by manual method.

• Very cost effective. No need for substantial working platform
• Provide concrete lining following excavation in small depth (e.g. 0.5m)
• High accident rate. Caisson constructed was generally banned in 1990 by Hong Kong Government
• Nowadays, caisson construction is only allowed when no other technically feasible options
available
• Need approval from Director of BD for private jobs or heads of departments for government jobs
 1(C) Piled Retaining Walls
(iii) Small diameter Soldier/Pipe Pile walls
• Lighter construction plant compared with bored
pile wall
• Retained height up to about 6 m. Lateral support
needed for greater height.
• Concrete skin wall to be provided.
• Grout curtain to reduce leakage of groundwater
into site during construction

Skin wall in front

 1(C) Piled Retaining Walls
(iii) Small diameter Soldier/Pipe Pile walls
Continuous flight augering

• If no boulder problem at site, nor piles to be socketed into rock, soldier piles can be
installed by Continuous Flight Auger
• Not much vibration and least disturbance to surrounding area
• No temporary casing required during hole boring
 1(C) Piled Retaining Walls
(iii) Small diameter Soldier/Pipe Pile walls

If there are boulders within site or

piles to be socketed into rock, soldier
piles may be installed using
percussive piling method with steel
casing
(Typical dia. = 300 to 610 mm)

Concentric overburden drill heads

Pile drilling with casing Down-the-hole drill head - for rock socket
 Topics to cover

1. Categories of Retaining Walls

2. Improvements to Existing Retaining Walls
3. Design and Construction Considerations
4. Site Supervision Requirements
5. Rigid Debris-Resisting Barriers Detailing
 2. Improvement to Existing Retaining Walls
(i) By Soil Nailing

• Soil nails contribute to the stability of the wall by adding resisting force and moment.
• Though not common, soil nails can also be used to improve stability of new retaining walls.
 2. Improvement to Existing Retaining Walls
(i) By Soil Nailing

Existing
Masonry wall
New soil
nail head

• A cost effective solution and least disturbance to the wall

• Nail head can be embedded in the wall to improve appearance
• Avoid grout to block the filter materials behind the wall
 2. Improvement to Existing Retaining Walls
New skin wall
(i) By Soil Nailing being constructed

New soil
nails
installed

Existing RC retaining wall R.C. wall improved by soil nailing

 2. Improvement to Existing Retaining Walls
(ii) By Wall Thickening

• A skin wall is added to the existing wall to increase its sliding and overturning resistance
 2. Improvement to Existing Retaining Walls
(ii) By Wall Thickening

Wall thickened

Original retaining wall Upgraded retaining wall

• Adequate anchorage between the existing wall and the new concrete skin
• Existing weep holes should be extended to the new wall face
 Topics to cover

1. Categories of Retaining Walls

2. Improvements to Existing Retaining Walls
3. Design and Construction Considerations
4. Site Supervision Requirements
5. Rigid Debris-Resisting Barriers Detailing
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(i) Guidelines
• Building (Construction) Regulations
• PNAP APP-54 - Retaining Walls - Building (Construction) Regulations 1992 - Part XIII
• PNAP APP-63 - GEOGUIDE 1 (Second Edition) - Guide to Retaining Wall Design
• PNAP ADV-8 - Registration of Slopes and Retaining Walls
• PNAP ADV-23 - Improvement of Visual Appearance and Landscape Treatment for Man-made
Slopes and Retaining Walls
• Geoguide 1 - Guide to Retaining Wall Design (for new walls)
• Geotechnical Manual for Slopes (for upgrading of existing walls)
• Geoguide 6 – Guide to Reinforced Earth Structure and Slope Design
• Geoguide 7 – Guide to Soil Nail Design and Construction (for design of soil nails in retaining
walls)
• Codes of Practice for structural concrete, structural steel, foundation, etc.
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(ii) Building (Construction) Regulations

Part XIII – Retaining Walls

Regulation 64 - Interpretation
In this Part-
"retaining wall" (擋土牆) means a structure retaining earth or fill.

Regulation 65 – General Requirements

(1) Retaining walls shall be designed and constructed to support safely the
earth or fill they retain and other loads without impairing the stability of, or
causing damage to, any other building, structure, land, street or services.
(2) The design and construction of minor retaining walls shall comply with sub-
regulation (1) but shall be exempted from regulations 66 to 84.
(Refer to PNAP APP-54 for definition of “minor retaining walls”)
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(ii) Building (Construction) Regulations
Other general requirements given in
Reg 66 – Filters Reg 77 – Drainage Measures to
Preserve Stability
Reg 67 – Backfill Material
Reg 78 – Performance of Drainage System
Reg 68 – Earth Pressure
Reg 79 – Surface Channels
Reg 69 – Water Pressure
Reg 80 – Safety Required during excavation
Reg 70 – Minimum Pressure and construction
Reg 71 – Retaining wall design Reg 81 – Weep holes
Reg 72 – Loading Condition Reg 82 – Copings
Reg 73 – Site Investigation Reg 83 – Bonding and Foundation Required
Reg 74 – Adequate Factor of Safety Reg 84 – Bond Courses Required
Reg 75 – Validity of Design Earth Pressure
Reg 76 – Masonry and Mass Concrete Walls
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(ii) Building (Construction) Regulations

PNAP Notes provide more specific requirements/definitions

• Definition on Minor Retaining Walls – less than 1.5 m high
• Drainage and Filter
• Backfilling Material behind Retaining Wall
• Rock Faces
• Retaining Wall Design and Stability
• Remedial or Preventive Work to an Existing Retaining Wall
• Monitoring during Construction of Retaining Walls
• Demolition of Existing Retaining Walls
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(iii) 4 Modes of External Instability of Mass Retaining Walls
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(iv) Design of Mass Concrete Retaining Walls
Active pressure
Actions affecting wall stability
• Self weight W Passive
• Active earth pressure PA pressure
Should allow sufficient rotation
• Passive earth pressure Pp
No possible trench excavation
• Bearing pressure N Forces on retaining wall
(excluding water forces) Water forces on retaining wall
• Base friction
• Hydrostatic pressure at back
of wall U1
• Hydrostatic pressure at wall
base U2
• Surcharge
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(iv) Design of Reinforced Concrete Retaining Walls
Virtual Back

Active pressure

Active pressure

• Modes of external instability same as mass retaining wall.

• Structural capacity of wall to be designed in accordance with Code of
Practice for Structural Use of Concrete.
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(iv) Design of Piled Retaining Walls
Front side of wall

Active pressure
Passive pressure
Front side of wall
Active pressure
Passive pressure
Bending Moment
Deflection

• External instability due to

(i) Loss of overall stability (i.e. slope failure) Shear Force
(ii) Overturning Failure (passive failure)
• Check Structural stability of wall by
(i) estimate deformation of the wall
(ii) check pile section has sufficient bending
and shear capacity
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(vii) Earth Pressures - Active and Passive Earth Pressure
Dense sand

Loose sand

Passive coefficient

At rest
coefficient
Active coefficient

• Active/passive pressures for stability check

• At-rest pressure for structural design
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(vii) Earth Pressures - Theories
Active and passive pressures are
dependent on soil strength
parameters, c’ and ’. Trial wedges

Wall back or
Virtual Back
Planar failure surface
•Rankine (soil cohesionless; wall
frictionless)
•Rankine-Bell (soil with cohesion)
•Coulomb – using Trial Wedge
Method (using limit equilibrium)

Trial Wedge Method

 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(viii) Water Pressures - Gravity and Reversed L-shaped Retaining Walls

Flow nets

Source : GEOGUIDE 1

Flow nets under steady state groundwater seepage

Source : GEO REPORT No. 203
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(viii) Water Pressures - Piled Retaining Walls

Impermeable bored pile/soldier pile wall

Flow nets under steady state groundwater seepage

 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(ix) Compaction-induced Earth Pressures

Ql = Equivalent weight of roller

Roll width

Compaction
induced pressure

Source : GEOGUIDE 1
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(x) Tree Wall Considerations

Surcharge of trees and additional weight

of rain water on masonry wall

Wind effect on tress and masonry wall Check overall stability (GEO Report No. 257)
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(x) Tree Wall Considerations – possible improvement methods

Soil Nails

Buttresses
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(x) Tree Wall Considerations – possible improvement methods

Hand Dug Caisson

Flying Buttresses
 3. Design and Construction Considerations
(xi) Design Standards

New Retaining Walls:

Geoguide 1 – Guide to Retaining Wall Design
Limit state approach with partial factors of safety applied to
loading and strength parameters.

Existing Retaining Walls:

Geotechnical Manual for Slopes
Factor of safety applied to Sliding, Overturning, Bearing Capacity

Overall Factor of Safety following Geotechnical Manual for Slopes

to be observed in both cases.
 Topics to cover

1. Categories of Retaining Walls

2. Improvements to Existing Retaining Walls
3. Design and Construction Considerations
4. Site Supervision Requirements
5. Rigid Debris-Resisting Barriers Detailing
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(i) Major Inspection Items during Construction
(1) Requirements on Approved Drawings and imposed by BD
(2) Contractor’s Submissions
Method Statement, Drawings, Precautionary & Protective Measures,
Materials submissions, etc.
(3) Temporary Site Works
Formwork, Shoring, Excavation, Temporary Cut Slope etc.
(follow the method statement and approv. submission, safeguard workers, quality of permanent works)

(4) Permanent Site Works

Founding Condition, Reinforcement Fixing, Concreting, Backfilling. For
Cantilevered Walls, founding level of piles, pile verticality, pile structural steel
section, pile reinforcement, grouting, concreting

Make sure to study, understand and perform the duties in the

Check list devised by RSE/RGE for TCP T3
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(ii) Standards and Guidelinses
(1) Concrete and Steel Reinforcement
• Construction Standard CS1 : 1990 – Testing Concrete
• Construction Standard CS2 : 1995 – Carbon Steel Bars for the Reinforcement of Concrete

(2) Formwork and Finishes to Concrete

• Falsework and Formwork Design

(3) Founding Material

• Description of Soil/Rock, Plate Load Test, GCO Probe

(4) Backfill Material

• PNAP APP-15 – Site Formation Temporary & Permanent Filling Work
• PNAP APP-54 – Retaining Walls - Building (Construction) Regulations 1992 - Part XIII
• PNAP APP-64 – Methods for Testing Hong Kong Soils (GEOSPEC 3 - Model Specification for Soil Testing)

(5) Drainage and Filter Material

• Section 8.5 of the GEOGUIDE 1 (2nd Edition)
• GEO Publication No. 1/93 – Review of Granular & Geotextile Filters

If in doubt, T3 needs to seek clarification and guidance

from T5 or RSE/RGE
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(iii) Founding Materials - Code of Practice
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(iv) Founding Materials

Verify the strength of founding materials at base of the wall (if needed) by
• Plate Loading Tests
• Dynamic Probe Tests

Founding materials to be protected from ingress of water after inspection

• For piled foundation, the design and supervision requirements of piling works to be
followed.

Reference
Bearing capacity - Code of Practice for Foundations
Site testing methods - GEOGUIDE 2 – Guide to Site Investigation
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(iv) Founding Materials - Code of Practice
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(v) Reinforcements

Submissions
• Particulars of bar reinforcements,
e.g. mill certificate
• Samples for testing
• Bending Schedules

Inspection
• Steel rebars are free of scale/rust
• Bar size, spacing, lap length
• Adequate cover to rebar
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(v) Reinforcements - testing

Tensile Test
• Individual test result  0.93 x characteristic strength (250MPa/460MPa)
• Mean of test results  Characteristic strength + 10MPa
• Not necessary to assess mean value if all individual result  characteristic strength

Bend Test
• Withstand bend through 180˚ with no sign of cracks on visual inspection

Rebend Test
• Withstand bend through 45˚ and re-bend without breaking
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(v) Reinforcements - testing
PNAP APP-45 Testing of Reinforcement for Concrete
• Purchaser’s test referred to in CS2:1995 performed by HOKLAS laboratories

Class 1 Reinforcement from QA manufacturers, handled by a QA Stocklist

and retaining manufacturer’s lot traceability
Class 2 Reinforcement from QA manufacturers, handled by a QA Stocklist
but without manufacturer’s lot traceability
Class 3 Reinforcement other than Class 1 and Class 2
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(vi) Formwork & Finishes to Concrete
Submissions
• Falsework and Formwork Design
• Time for removal of Falsework & Formwork
• Cover Spacers, Release Agents, Formwork
Tie, Surface Retarders
• Class of Formed, Unformed, & Treated
Finishes

Inspection
• Falsework (follow the design)
• Sealing of joints
• Cover to reinforcement bars
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(vi) Formwork & Finishes to Concrete

Formwork is tied to existing

wall to achieve stability

Checking thickness of concrete

 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(vii) Concreting
Submissions
• Particulars of Concrete Mix
• Particulars of Construction Joints
Testing
• Testing for Workability - slump
• Testing for Compressive Strength -
cubes

Inspection
• Preparation of joints
• Clearing of debris
• Proper Compaction of
concrete
T3 must double check what testing and records
are required to be submitted to BD
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(vii) Concreting – Slump test

• Objective is to test of workability of the concrete

• Test procedures and details follow : Section 2 of CS1
• One sample should be taken from each concrete truck
• Placing concrete and lifting of cone in 150 sec.
• The slump cone is 300 mm in height
• Slump to be measured to nearest 5 mm

Slump

Note: Concrete with high workability, i.e. slump in excess of 150mm, may sometime exhibit a
slump pattern similar to that of a collapse slump. In such case, the slump shall still be
measured and recorded to the nearest 5 mm.
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(vii) Concreting – Slump test

Slump

More slump concrete gives lower

strength and more shrinkage cracks
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(vii) Concreting – concrete cubes for compression Test

• Test of compressive strength

• Test procedure and details: CS1 Section 12
• Sampling and testing: B(C)R Reg 58
• At least one sample from each grade of concrete produced on any one day
• Two 150mm cubes prepared for each sample of concrete

• Serial number to be given to each concrete cube

• Cubes to be adequately cured
• Test for 28-day compressive strength at HOKLAS laboratories
• Average of compressive strength of a pair of cubes taken as test result
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(vii) Concreting – concrete cubes for compression Test
Concrete cubes

Make sure the cubes are cured

properly in the curing tank
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(vii) Concreting – concrete cubes for compression Test

• Acceptance Criteria: B(C)R Reg 59

• If the difference in compressive strength of a pair of cubes exceeds 20% of the

test result (i.e. average of the pair), that test result shall be disregarded and
investigation shall be made to establish whether the concerned concrete is
acceptable or not.
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(viii) Backfilling behind Retaining Walls

According to APP-54
1. Backfill material behind retaining walls should have properties that meet design
requirements. It should also meet the requirements in Table 1 at Appendix A
attached.
2. Material selected for use as backfill generally must not contain :
(a) peat, vegetation, timber, organic or other degradable materials;
(b) dangerous or toxic material;
(c) material susceptible to combustion;
(d) metal, rubber, plastic or synthetic material;
(e) material susceptible to significant volume change – e.g. marine mud, swelling
clays and collapsible soils; or
(f) soluble material.
3. In addition, the backfill should not be chemically aggressive : e.g. the presence of
excessive sulphate in soils can cause accelerated deterioration of concrete and
steel.
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(viii) Backfilling behind Retaining Walls

PNAP APP-54
Appendix A Table 1
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(viii) Backfilling behind Retaining Walls

According to PNAP APP-15

The in-situ field dry densities of compacted materials forming the
peripheral portion of an earth fill slope shall be not less than 95%
of the maximum dry density
In situ dry density
Relative Compaction = > 95%
Max. dry density
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(viii) Backfilling behind Retaining Walls

PNAP APP-15 – Testing Frequency

 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(viii) Backfilling behind Retaining Walls

In-situ Field Density Tests :

Sand Replacement Method => determine in-situ bulk density
(Geospec 3 Test Method 11.1 or 11.2)
Nuclear Densometer Method => determine in-situ bulk density
(Geospec 3 Test Method 11.3)
Speedy Test => obtain in situ moisture content (advance information)

Laboratory Tests :
Oven-drying => determine moisture content of fill
(Geospec 3 Test Method 5.1 to 5.3)
Proctor test => determine max. dry density and optimum moisture
content of fill (Geospec 3 Test Method 10.1 to 10.8)
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(viii) Backfilling behind Retaining Walls
Sand replacement test

Sand poured into

hole to determine
volume

Soil excavated from

hole to determine
mass
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(viii) Backfilling behind Retaining Walls
Proctor test to determine
maximum dry density
Relative Compaction Test (GEOSPEC Test 10.2)
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(viii) Backfilling behind Retaining Walls

PNAP 167 – Methods for Testing Hong Kong Soils

(GEOSPEC 3 - Model Specification for Soil Testing)
Where soil tests are to be carried out,
only laboratories accredited under the
Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation
Scheme (HOKLAS) for the relevant
tests shall be employed. The Building
Authority will only accept results
issued on HOKLAS-endorsed test
certificates or reports.
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(ix) Drainage and Filter Materials

Drainage filter to be placed at the back of retaining walls to limit loss of fine
soil
– Section 8.5 of the Geoguide 1 (2nd Edition)
– GEO Publication No. 1/93 – Review of Granular & Geotextile Filters

Granular filters

Geotextile filter
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(ix) Drainage and Filter Materials
GEO Publication No. 1/93 – Review of Granular & Geotextile Filters

(Extracted from GEO Publication No. 1/93)

 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(ix) Drainage and Filter Materials
GEO Publication No. 1/93 – Review of Granular & Geotextile Filters

Factors affecting performance of

granular filters
• Stability
pores small enough to prevent excessive
migration of base soil

• Permeability
more permeable than base soil

• Segregation
Not segregated/contaminated during and
after installation

• Min. thickness
300mm
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(ix) Drainage and Filter Materials
GEO Publication No. 1/93 – Review of Granular & Geotextile Filters

Geotextile Filters
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(x) Construction of Bored Pile Walls

Pre-drilling at each location - for piles designed to be socketted into rock

Pre-drilling Rig

Measuring Depth of
Drillhole
Drillhole Core Box
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(x) Construction of Bored Pile Walls

Confirmation of founding Level by examination of rock

fragments collected during shaft excavation

Measuring the depth for the founding level

 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(x) Construction of Bored Pile Walls

Koden Test – Commonly used to verify bored pile profile and

verticality using ultra sonic method
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(x) Construction of Bored Pile Walls

Koden Test – Checking of bored pile section and verticality

 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(x) Construction of Bored Pile Walls
Checking of cleanliness of water before concreting

An airlift by compressed air

Air-lifting 1. Air supply. 7. Fluid intake.
2. Liquid supply. 8. Riser tube.
3. Air inlet port. 9. Air liquid mixture.
Water Sample collected 4. Air supply line. 10. Pump outlet.
5. Air port. L Liquid, usually wastewater.
should be clean to ensure 6. Air outlet. LL Liquid level.
good quality rock at the V Vessel
base G Gravel or solids
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(x) Construction of Bored Pile Walls
Checking of Steel Reinformcement Cages
Fabrication of steel cage PVC pipes for sonic test to
verify concrete integrity

Lowering of steel stage Steel cage lowered

into bored hole into bored hole
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(x) Construction of Bored Pile Walls
Concreting by tremie method if bottom of pile is lower than
groundwater table

Concreting using pumping Concreting using hopper

 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(x) Construction of Bored Pile Walls
Checking of pile integrity by coring through the pile shaft to
the level lower than the founding level of the pile
• By Full Coring and Sonic Test
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(x) Construction of Bored Pile Walls
Sonic Test – cross hole sonic integrity logging
to identify honeycombs, cracks, foreign materials in the concrete

Potential honeycomb
can be recorded
 4. Site Supervision Requirements
(x) Construction of Pipe Pile Walls
• Small diameter soldier/pipe piles using cement grout to form the pile shifts
• Verticality Check
• Test of grout (Flow cone test, bleeding test, cube strength)

Plumb bob
 Topics to cover

1. Categories of Retaining Walls

2. Improvements to Existing Retaining Walls
3. Design and Construction Considerations
4. Site Supervision Requirements
5. Rigid Debris-Resisting Barriers Detailing
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
Pok Lu Lam

Rigid Barriers at Pok Fu Lam Road

near Queen Mary Hospital

SA5 Queen Mary

Hospital
Residential
Buildings

Petrol Station
Cemetery
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
Study Area and Hillside Segments
Hillslope Segment 11SW-A/DF13a WCE
Hillslope Segment 11SW-A/DF13 WCE
OHF Hazard
CDF Hazard
WCE OHF Source Volume = 600 m3
WCE OHF Source Volume = 600 m3
Estimated WCE Volume = 600 m3
WCE Potential Entrainment Volume = 700 m3
Hillslope Segment 11SW-A/OH22a-1 WCE Estimated WCE Volume = 1300 m3
OHF Hazard
WCE OHF Source Volume = 500 m3
Estimated WCE Volume = 500 m3
Hillslope Segment 11SW-A/OH22a-2 WCE
OHF Hazard
WCE OHF Source Volume = 450 m3
Estimated WCE Volume = 450 m3

Hillslope Segment 11SW-A/DF13b WCE

OHF Hazard
WCE OHF Source Volume = 600 m3
Estimated WCE Volume = 600 m3

Hillslope Segment 11SW-C/OH15 WCE

OHF Hazard
WCE OHF Source Volume = 450 m3
Estimated WCE Volume = 450 m3

Hillslope Segment 11SW-A/OH1 WCE

OHF Hazard
WCE OHF Source Volume = 450 m3
Estimated WCE Volume = 450 m3
Hillslope Segment 11SW-A/OH22 & DF18a WCE Hillslope Segment 11SW-A/DF18 & OH21 WCE
OHF Hazard OHF Hazard
WCE OHF Source Volume = 450 m3 WCE OHF Source Volume = 450 m3
Estimated WCE Volume = 450 m3 Estimated CE Volume = 450 m3
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
General View of the Hillside

Catchment chosen for

presentation
5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
Proposed Works

Proposed rigid barrier to retain

1300 cu m of landslide debris
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers

GEO TGN 35 divided a Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers into 3 zones:

(iii) Runoff Discharge Zone (ii) Debris Retention Zone (i) Debris Approaching Zone
• Drainage • Debris confinement • Debris routing
• Blockage of drainage • Drainage • Drainage
• Erosion protection • Flow impediments • Erosion and
• Barrier protection entrainment control
• Construction • Prevention of debris
• Maintenance over-shooting

Cross-section of Wall
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(i) Debris Approach Zone
Debris routing
TGN 35 requires:
To review Debris route determined by
topography in nature drainage line:
determining ▪ Straight alignment
debris route ▪ incised
▪ steep
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(i) Debris Approach Zone

Drainage provision
TGN 35 requires:
Appropriate Little chance of ponding
drainage because approaching zone
measures to steep and incised.
avoid ponding

Cross-section of Wall
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(i) Debris Approach Zone
Prevention of debris over-shooting
TGN 35 requires:
Check the possibility Little chance of debris
of over-shooting of over-shooting
fast-moving debris over
the top of barrier wall

Cross-section of Wall
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(ii) Debris Retention Zone
Debris confinement
TGN 35 requires:
▪ to avoid uneven ▪ Provision of baffles
deposition of debris ▪ Provision of
▪ to provide effective wing walls
confinement of the
landslide debris

Plan of Wall
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(ii) Debris Retention Zone

Drainage Provision
1. Landslide debris-free situation
▪ TGN 35 requires:
▪ Drainage ▪ self-cleansing
provisions to channel
avoid blockages ▪ Trash trap

Openings

Plan of Wall
1 in 50

Cross-section of Wall
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(ii) Debris Retention Zone

Drainage Provision
2. Extreme situation– retaining capacity reached

TGN 35 requires:

Drainage provisions ▪ provision of

to allow debris to overflow weir
overflow from the to allow water
barrier in a controlled flow when
manner barrier is full of
debris

Openings

Back Face of Wall

 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(ii) Debris Retention Zone TGN 35 requires:
Provision of suitable Hollow sand brick wall to
Barrier protection materials at the back to be provided at back of
minimize the damage of the barrier
barrier

Cross-section of Wall Hollow Sand Hollow Sand

Brick Wall Brick Wall

Trash trap
Openings

Back Face of Wall

 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(ii) Debris Retention Zone

Construction
TGN 35 requires:
▪ minimize site formation works of Minimum excavation
barrier and filling
▪ utilization of local excavated material
for barrier construction, where feasible

Existing slope
profile

Slab base level

Proposed
excavation
Back Face of Wall
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(ii) Debris Retention Zone

Maintenance
1. Routine Maintenance
TGN 35 requires:
Suitable means to Provision of
facilitate routine maintenance
maintenance stairways

Plan of Wall
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(ii) Debris Retention Zone

Maintenance
2. Debris Clearance
TGN 35 requires:
Suitable means No sizable access
to facilitate provided. Debris can
debris clearance be cleared via
Pokfulam Road

Proposed Check Dam

Catchpit

Covered stepped channel

Catchpit

Covered stepped channel

Catchpit

Pok Fu Lam Road

 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(iii) Runoff Discharge Zone
Erosion protection TGN 35 requires:

Ground adjoining Provision of sprayed

the connection point concrete and stone
of the existing public facing on adjoining
drain and the new ground
drains for rigid
barrier can be
Plan of Wall susceptible to
erosion
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(iii) Runoff Discharge Zone
Blockage of drainage

Proposed Check Dam

Catchpit

Covered 750mm Stepped Channel

Catchpit

TGN 35 requires:
Covered Stepped Channel

Robust detailing Existing catchpit

Catchpit
and measures to reconstructed at crest
Pok Fu Lam Road
mitigate any of cut slope
potential 450 dia. Pipe

blockages of the
drainage system.
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(iv) Landscape Treatment and Architectural Input
Stone masonry facing Subdue colour paint
with random pattern

Existing trees retained

toe planters with trees and climbers

Design detailing with architectural and landscape input should be provided at an early stage of the barrier design
with respect to the general arrangement, shape and finish of the structure.
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(iv) Landscape Treatment and Architectural Input
 5. Rigid Debris-resisting Barriers
(iv) Landscape Treatment and Architectural Input

Glasscrete – hollow paving blocks with

grass planting at the centre of each block
 CLOSING REMARKS
• Slope/retaining wall engineering is not purely analysis and
design. Field observations and construction quality control
are equally important.
• Slope/retaining wall stability is affected by various factors.
The design assumptions require dedicated on-site verification
during construction.
• Adequate and close supervision of slopes/retaining works is
absolutely essential.
• As a TCP site supervision staff, make sure you fully
understand what have to be checked and what records have
to be kept. It is essential that a T3 is to study all items in the
checklist of the Site Supervision Plan and all the conditions
stated in the Buildings Department’s approved Plan, including
the approval letter.
 Important Documents for TCP

• Approved Plans – Drawings, Notes & Reports

• Buildings Department’s approval letters &
consent letters
• Supervision Plan & Check Lists compiled by
the AP/RSE/RGE
• Codes of Practice & Technical Memorandum
for Site Supervision.
The End