On the Failure of New Orleans levees: Has anyone asked if the hurricane wind forces comprimised the flood walls? The flood walls are segmented I-beams without any backfill. Is it possible that the wall segment interfaces were comprimised by winds and water seepage between the segments eventually caused the failure? Section IV. Supplemental Forces 3-25. Wind Load. Wind loads should be considered for retaining and flood walls during construction, prior to placing backfill. Wind loads can act any time in the life of a flood wall. In locations subjected to hurricanes, a wind load of 50 lb/sq ft can be...
