Reinforcement of an old retaining structure using soil containing fine particles and multifunctional geocomposite

For the construction of new retaining structure, geosynthetics are often proposed with a fac-ing system chosen by the site owner to fit with stability but also aesthetic requirements. Their use for the reinforcement of existing structures can be also of great interest when the existing facing shall be pre-served but cannot be insured the stability itself alone. An old access ramp to a bridge submitted to an in-tensive traffic was damaged when a waterpipe leakage induced a loss of the bearing capacity and large settlements at the surface level. Geosynthetics were preferred to other solutions to repair the structure for practical and economic reasons.