What Hydro-Static Pressure Is and Why Seawall Owners Should Be Concerned

This post is part of the Seawall Repair Network series, featuring views, news and case studies written by the Seawall Repair Network. 

Most seawall property owners are not aware of the dangers of hydrostatic pressure, and the devastating effects that it can have on a seawall.

Hydrostatic pressure is most formally defined as the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium, at a given point within the fluid, due to the force of gravity. Hydrostatic pressure increases in proportion to the depth measured from the surface because of the increasing weight of fluid exerting downward force from above.  (Not clear on what all this means yet? Keep reading…)

What Hydro-Static Pressure Is and Why Seawall Owners Should Be Concerned Blog Post

A Cause of Seawall Failure

Hydrostatic pressure builds behind your seawall exponentially when groundwater “stacks up” behind your seawall. Water infiltration gravitates to level with the existing water table. Water will always follow the path of least resistance. This force causes movement within unstable soil.

When accumulated hydrostatic pressure builds up behind a seawall, the pressure can force the water to move downward and under the seawall panels. This movement of water can degrade the seawall berm (the soil mass surrounding the bottom of the seawall).  Lateral forces cause panel displacement when unstable soil conditions exist.

Seawall Repair and Restoration

Fortunately, Seawall Repair Network offers an array of the most advanced and reliable solutions to this problem. Seawall Repair Network contractors use high-strength proprietary SW-RP1 Repair Material, Hydrostatic Pressure Control Technology, Seawall Cap Repair Methods, and – when necessary – an Advanced Permanent Anchoring System to repair and restore seawalls at risk.


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