Banner - Modern Solutions to Combat Seawall Failure

Seawall Failure Series – 3. Modern Solutions to Combat Seawall Failure

Admin October 3, 2023

Innovative solutions are needed more than ever to preserve the integrity of our seawalls as storms continue to intensify and batter our shorelines. These protective barriers demand advanced construction technologies and materials to combat the multifaceted threats they face. Modern solutions such as polymers, hydrostatic pressure control systems, seawall anchoring, and advanced shoreline preservation methods are revolutionizing the field of seawall maintenance and repair.

Polymers: The Future of Seawall Reinforcement

Among the most innovative materials finding their way into seawall reinforcement are polymers. These have several distinct advantages:

Sealing Cracks and Voids: Polymers can be injected into cracks and voids, where they expand to form a robust seal. This action not only closes gaps but also strengthens the structure by acting as an adhesive between fractured components.
Flexibility: Unlike more rigid materials, polymers offer a degree of flexibility, absorbing and dispersing wave energy efficiently, reducing the erosive impact.
Corrosion Resistance: These materials are inherently resistant to the corrosive properties of saltwater, thereby enhancing the seawall’s longevity.
Quick Curing: The quick-setting nature of polymers facilitates rapid repairs, a crucial attribute.

Hydrostatic Pressure Control Systems: Balancing the Pressures

One of the silent threats to seawalls is the hydrostatic pressure that builds up behind the wall. Modern solutions target this pressure imbalance:

Relief Weep Holes: Strategically placed holes along the seawall allow trapped water to escape, ensuring a balanced pressure differential across the wall.

Pressure Sensors: Advanced systems now integrate sensors that monitor hydrostatic pressures in real time, alerting to anomalies and potential threats.

Seawall Anchoring: Holding Firm Against Nature
Anchoring solutions offer an added layer of security to seawalls, ensuring they remain firmly rooted against wave and tidal forces:

Tieback Systems: These are rod-like structures that extend from the seawall into the stable ground layers behind it. Acting as tension-resisting elements, they prevent the seawall from tilting or collapsing outward.

Helical Anchors: Spiral-shaped rods that are screwed into the ground, helical anchors provide both tension and compression support to seawalls, accommodating the dynamic loads they face.

Gravity Anchors: These massive, weighty structures are buried behind seawalls, leveraging their sheer weight to counteract any forces trying to displace the wall.

Advanced Concrete Preservation Materials: Enhancing Durability

Concrete, a fundamental material in many seawalls, benefits immensely from modern preservation technologies:

Corrosion Inhibitors: These chemicals, when applied to seawalls, form a protective layer that shields the embedded steel reinforcements from saltwater-induced corrosion.

Crystalline Waterproofing: A revolutionary product that, when mixed with concrete, promotes the growth of insoluble crystals within the concrete’s pores. This seals the concrete, making it virtually impermeable to water.

Elastomeric Coatings: These flexible coatings, applied to the seawall’s surface, offer a dual benefit – they prevent water infiltration and accommodate the wall’s minor expansions and contractions without cracking.

As the challenges intensify, so does the need to innovate. This fusion of advanced materials, technological systems, and refined construction techniques offers a promising future for our seawalls – one where they stand resilient, durable, and adaptive to the ever-changing dynamics of coastal environments.

Hydrostatic Pressure Release System

Admin December 19, 2022

Devastating Effects of Hydrostatic Pressure

In the blog post Water is Relentless!, we described the devastating effects hydrostatic pressure can have on a seawall:

“Excessive rainwater or floodwater build-up on the landward side of the wall (usually resulting from an inadequate or clogged weep hole system within the wall itself) will put untenable hydrostatic pressure on the structure. This pressure can cause parts of the wall to move and/or crack. Once the concrete is broken, landward side water will pull soil from your property through the wall and into the water on the other side, causing depressions or small sinkholes near the structure. In addition, steel rebar or mesh inside the wall is exposed to rust, resulting in rust stains appearing on the surface.”

Overview of the Hydrostatic Pressure Release System

Fortunately, a pressure release system can be created by coring through the wall and the layer of SW-RP1 repair material that has been installed behind it during the initial part of the seawall stabilization process. Proprietary pressure release technology is then installed to regulate the release of hydrostatic pressure from any new water that may form behind the wall in the future. Because pressure release technology also stops landward-side soil from passing through the dewatering channels, it prevents new erosion and void formations. The support of high-strength SW-RP1 repair material combined with the regulation of hydrostatic pressure protects your seawall from subsequent movement, damage, or failure.

Components of the Hydrostatic Pressure Release System

Solidification of Soil with SW-RP1
The contractor injects SW-RP1 behind the wall on the landward side, transforming unstable soil into a permanent lightweight solid mass. This solidified soil provides the perfect supportive medium for the creation of de-watering channels.
Creation of De-Watering Channels
US Army Corps specifications for seawalls specifically require weep holes to relieve hydrostatic pressure. These channels are generally placed at the same height as the main waterline mark. If there are pre-existing weep holes, these new channels are usually created at those points.
Installation of Hydrostatic Pressure Release Filters
These filters allow water to pass back and forth to maintain an equilibrium of hydrostatic pressure while also preventing soil migration and void formation on the landward side.

In conclusion, this combined system of soil solidification, creation of de-watering channels, and installation of hydrostatic pressure release filters provides permanent stabilization of the seawall structure. This is all accomplished at 70-80% less than the cost of replacing a seawall. It’s also less destructive to the property because it requires no excavation. Seawalls require maintenance over time, and installation of this system can often be essential in preventing premature failure.

Using Seawall Repair Network Stabilization Methods in New Construction

Admin September 13, 2022

In addition to repairing seawalls, Seawall Repair Network member contractors can also provide permanent soil stabilization and hydrostatic pressure regulation for newly constructed seawalls and bulkheads. Landward-side soil migration, erosion, void formation, and the build-up of hydrostatic pressure cause structural movement and damage to a seawall. It’s important for property owners, contractors, and engineers to understand that permanent seawall stability can be achieved at the time of initial construction. The stabilization process during new construction involves the installation of SW-RP1, and de-watering channels with panel filters. This process significantly improves the overall engineering design, durability, and lifespan of seawall structures.

By making these simple changes to the new seawall construction process, the Seawall Repair Network member contractor will:

Provide a permanent solution to the most pressing problem associated with seawall construction – long-term soil stability.
Position the new-construction contractor to provide meaningful warranties for installation and materials.
Help new-construction contractors provide waterfront barrier systems that are reliable.
Contribute to a superior seawall construction industry.

Seawall Repair Network’s Patent-Pending Process

Admin November 23, 2021

Mother Nature’s oceans, lakes, and rivers can be so beautiful and calm. But over time, her natural forces will cause damage and eventual failure of your seawall. Seawalls are complicated structures made up of a variety of essential components. If one component fails, the entire seawall is at risk. In traditionally constructed seawalls, weep holes with a geotextile fabric filter allow water to flow from the landward side back into the ocean to prevent pressure build-up.

What Causes Seawall Failure?

What causes your seawall to fail? Over time, as the filter fabric fails, soil migration creates voids behind the wall, which causes structural instability. As the voids behind the wall fill up with water, hydrostatic pressure behind the seawall causes the wall panels to shift over time. The shifting panels damage the seawall cap, which holds the entire structure together. When this happens, failure of the seawall is imminent. If ignored, these problems only get worse.

Seawall Stabilization Repair Process

Water is RELENTLESS. But YOU can be too! Professionally trained contractors, armed with Seawall Repair Network’s patent-pending repair process, are ready to guide you to victory in this battle!

Watch the video below for a complete explanation of Seawall Repair Networks seawall stabilization process.

What Hydro-Static Pressure Is and Why Seawall Owners Should Be Concerned

Admin April 23, 2021

What is Hydro-Static Pressure?

Most seawall property owners are not aware of the dangers of hydrostatic pressure, and the devastating effects that it can have on a seawall.

Hydrostatic pressure is most formally defined as the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium, at a given point within the fluid, due to the force of gravity. Hydrostatic pressure increases in proportion to the depth measured from the surface because of the increasing weight of fluid exerting downward force from above. (Not clear on what all this means yet? Keep reading…)

A Cause of Seawall Failure

Hydrostatic pressure builds behind your seawall exponentially when groundwater “stacks up” behind your seawall. Water infiltration gravitates to level with the existing water table. Water will always follow the path of least resistance. This force causes movement within unstable soil.

When accumulated hydrostatic pressure builds up behind a seawall, the pressure can force the water to move downward and under the seawall panels. This movement of water can degrade the seawall berm (the soil mass surrounding the bottom of the seawall). Lateral forces cause panel displacement when unstable soil conditions exist.

Seawall Repair and Restoration

Fortunately, Seawall Repair Network offers an array of the most advanced and reliable solutions to this problem. Seawall Repair Network contractors use high-strength proprietary SW-RP1 Repair Material, Hydrostatic Pressure Control Technology, Seawall Cap Repair Methods, and – when necessary – an Advanced Permanent Anchoring System to repair and restore seawalls at risk.

Seawall Repair Network Advantages

Admin April 14, 2021

Seawall / Bulkhead Repair & Seawall / Bulkhead Replacement

When you find yourself engaged in a search for seawall repair or replacement options, it’s fueled by the understanding that your seawall is key to preventing serious damage to (or even destruction of) your house, building, or property in general.

Unfortunately, most waterfront property owners have not been educated regarding replacement and repair with subpar methods:

Seawall replacement can be very expensive, disruptive, and sometimes even destructive to surrounding property.
Subpar, ineffective solutions such as hydraulic cement, slurry, crushed seashells, and sodium silicate do not address the underlying soil instability that puts unsustainable pressure on the seawall. These methods are similar to putting a band-aid on an infection. The problem will simply continue to get worse until the seawall fails completely.

Experienced Seawall / Bulkhead Repair Contractors

Seawall Repair Network (a division of Alchemy-Spetec) has developed a comprehensive solution, consisting of:

Proprietary SW-RP1 Repair Material
Hydrostatic Pressure Control Technology
Seawall Cap and Panel Structural Repair
Advanced Permanent Anchoring System (When Needed)

Seawall Repair Network member contractors are equipped with state of the art:

Seawall Repair Network System Training
Seawall Repair Materials
Seawall Repair Equipment