I am very happy to see the efforts to educate owners using SRWs. The article in Geosynthetics (“Challenges in building SRWs … “ October/November 2007) is very good. I like the emphasis on quality control and defining responsibility of sub-surface improvements. It is a good checklist for things to be done.
I believe this article is very important for all parties involved in SRW (owners, civil engineers; site, general, and SRW contractors; and SRW design engineers). SRW has limitations but it is a best economical (and structurally sound) substitute for reinforced concrete retaining walls.
I am looking forward to reading Part 2 and Part 3. Keep it up!
Regards,