Earth retaining structures are a key component in most engineering constructions. The
present design practice as per the standard procedure is limited to analysis the
structure under anticipated permanent design loads. However, in reality, the structure
undergoes numerous loading patterns depending on the construction methodology as
well as construction sequence that might be vary in type, magnitude, direction and
distribution to that of design loads. The recent construction experience of some
projects in Colombo indicates that these unaccounted loading patterns in construction
stages could lead to failure modes that were not expected during design phase. In this
study, a detailed forensic analysis is carried out for one case study by means of
numerical modeling of different loadings undergone during various stages of the
construction stage and root cause of failure for each case is identified. A gap analysis
is carried out to ascertain that why the root causes had not been taken in to
consideration during the design phase and recommendations are proposed to the
design procedure currently practiced to avoid future such consequences.
