Commercial Retaining Wall Strengthening with Carbon Fiber & Tiebacks

A retaining wall adjacent to the play area at NCSD Spring Mountain Elementary School showed significant structural distress, including outward bowing and widespread vertical cracking. Originally designed to rely on restraint from a concrete slab, the actual site conditions—including asphalt paving behind the wall—prevented proper support. The existing reinforcing steel also appeared misaligned, leaving the wall vulnerable to lateral soil pressures and long-term instability.

To avoid destructive testing and verify the wall’s construction, Miller Consulting Engineers performed a structural evaluation and recommended reinforcement to stabilize the wall. Local contractor Ram Jack West partnered with Structural Reinforcement Solutions (SRS) to develop a repair solution integrating carbon fiber reinforcement with new helical pile tiebacks.

SRS specified SRS-600 unidirectional and SRS-660 bidirectional carbon fiber systems to confine the cracked areas, strengthen the wall, and improve load distribution. The carbon fiber was installed in coordination with the tieback system, ensuring the wall could safely resist the anticipated lateral forces. The completed repair delivered a permanent, non-invasive strengthening solution that restored structural capacity and improved safety for the school’s playground.