What is a common failure mode for an anchored bulkhead?

An anchored bulkhead is a type of retaining structure that is designed to resist lateral pressures from soil and water. The common failure mode associated with anchored bulkheads is toe kick-out. This occurs when the base of the bulkhead, referred to as the toe, is pushed outward by lateral forces, predominantly from water pressures acting on the retained soil behind the structure. When these forces exceed the bulkhead's resistance, the toe can lift or rotate, leading to a catastrophic failure of the structure.

In contrast, while water pressure can indeed contribute to the forces acting against a bulkhead, it is the resultant movement of the toe that signifies a failure mode. Soil settlement and foundation sinking represent other types of failures that can occur under different circumstances but are not as directly associated with the failure mechanisms of anchored bulkheads as toe kick-out is. Moreover, in the case of bulkheads, proper anchoring and design can significantly mitigate soil settlement and foundation sinking as potential failure modes. Therefore, toe kick-out stands out as a primary concern in the structural integrity of anchored bulkheads.