FAILURE OF AN ANCHORED BULKHEAD.

An 800-ft (240 m) long anchored bulkhead with a height of 65 ft (20 m) was designed more or less in accord with published recommendations by several acknowledged experts. Nevertheless, the wall failed. Post-failure analysis indicated that the source of error was a lack of understanding of soil behavior under conditions involving significant excavation near the bulkhead. The design was adequate for undrained conditions but was inadequate for fully drained conditions.