Influence of Groundwater on Retaining Walls

This lecture covers the calculation methods for pressures on retaining walls, including the Coulomb-Poncelet and Caquot-Kérisel methods, as well as the use of finite elements. It also discusses the impact of groundwater flow on wall structures, illustrated with examples of water flow around screens and pressure diagrams. The presentation extends to scenarios with homogeneous and heterogeneous soils, emphasizing the importance of relative wall movement. Practical solutions for managing excessive hydraulic gradients, such as extending wall sheets or creating impermeable plugs, are also explored.