The procedural guideline for defect-by-defect retaining wall inspections under RI-EBW-PRUF with S-V-D ratings, damage catalog mapping, and measures.

The RI-EBW-PRUF inspection form for retaining walls is divided into three hierarchical sections that mirror the inspection workflow from context gathering through defect documentation to action planning. Unlike generic checklist formats, this structure is designed around the fundamental unit of German structural inspection: the Einzelschaden (individual damage record). Every inspection begins with a single header section, passes through a repeatable defect-recording loop, and ends with an overall assessment.

Section 1, Bauwerksdaten & Konstruktion (Structure Data & Construction), captures the inspection context. The inspector selects the Bauwerksart (structure type) from eleven standardized wall categories defined in ASB-ING, records the Prufart (inspection type) to distinguish between a six-yearly Hauptprufung, a three-yearly Einfache Prufung, an event-triggered Sonderprufung, or an annual Besichtigung, and logs weather and temperature conditions that may affect visibility or defect appearance. This header is recorded exactly once per inspection.

Section 2, Schadenserfassung (Damage Recording), is the repeatable core. Each defect instance captures location, material, description, catalog reference, extent, S-V-D ratings, a recheck flag, and photographic evidence. A single retaining wall inspection typically contains anywhere from zero defects (for a structure in excellent condition) to dozens of individual damage records. Section 3, Gesamtbewertung & Massnahmen (Overall Evaluation & Measures), collects the inspector summary text and one or more recommended measures, each with a type classification and urgency level.

This three-part architecture ensures that every piece of field data maps directly to a column in the SIB-Bauwerke national database. The repeatable defect group (minInstances: 0, maxInstances: unlimited) is the structural feature that distinguishes RI-EBW-PRUF from simpler pass/fail checklists. Each Einzelschaden instance is an independent data record that feeds into the algorithm computing the overall Zustandsnote (condition grade) of the structure.

For the overarching standard framework, see the DIN 1076 retaining wall inspection, which establishes inspection intervals, responsibilities, and the general inspection scope.

The Einzelschaden (individual damage) loop is the procedural core of RI-EBW-PRUF. Unlike inspection methods that aggregate findings by component or zone, RI-EBW-PRUF treats every discrete defect as its own data record. A crack in Block 3 and a corrosion patch at 5 meters from the wall start are two separate Einzelschaden entries, each with their own component assignment, material classification, catalog reference, extent quantification, and S-V-D rating triple. This granularity is not optional — aggregating multiple defects into a single record would violate the standard and produce incorrect Zustandsnote calculations.

The recording sequence within each defect follows a logical progression. First, the inspector assigns the Bauteilgruppe (component group) from eight categories specific to retaining walls: Bauwerk (structure general), Grundung (foundation), Unterbau (substructure), Anker (anchors), Entwasserung (drainage), Kappen/Abdeckungen (caps and copings), Gelander/Schutzeinrichtung (railings and safety barriers), and Sonstige (other). Each component group narrows the set of applicable damage catalog entries.

Next comes Baustoff (material) selection from six options: Beton (concrete), Stahlbeton (reinforced concrete), Mauerwerk (masonry), Stahl (steel), Holz (timber), and Stein/Naturstein (natural stone). The material field is mandatory because the same visual symptom — a crack, for example — has different structural implications in reinforced concrete versus masonry versus natural stone. The damage description (Schadensbeschreibung) and location text (Ortsangabe) are free-text fields that provide the human-readable context, while the Schadensbeispiel-Nr. (catalog ID) links the observation to the standardized damage catalog maintained by BASt.

Extent quantification uses a mandatory three-level classification: Vereinzelt (isolated), Bereichsweise (in areas), and Flachendeckend (extensive/widespread). Optionally, the inspector can add a precise numeric measurement with a unit (meters, square meters, cubic meters, or pieces). The EP-Kennzeichnung (recheck flag) is a boolean toggle that marks whether this specific defect should be re-examined at the next Einfache Prufung cycle — a critical planning field that ensures deteriorating conditions are tracked across inspection intervals. Finally, photo documentation provides visual evidence for later review and SIB-Bauwerke archival.

The damage example catalog is maintained by the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) and is integrated into the SIB-Bauwerke database.

The S-V-D rating is the quantitative heart of RI-EBW-PRUF. Every Einzelschaden receives three independent ratings on a 0-to-4 integer scale: S for Standsicherheit (structural stability), V for Verkehrssicherheit (traffic safety), and D for Dauerhaftigkeit (durability). A rating of 0 means the defect has no influence on that criterion; a rating of 4 indicates that the criterion is fully compromised — the structure has lost stability, traffic safety is no longer given, or durability is exhausted. These three values are the raw inputs that the SIB-Bauwerke algorithm uses to compute the overall Zustandsnote.

The S-axis (Standsicherheit) assesses whether the defect compromises the structural load-bearing capacity of the wall. A rating of S=1 indicates a local component-level effect with no systemic risk. S=2 signals the first impairment of structural function, where tolerances or limit states are being approached. S=3 represents a significant impairment where the stability of the structure is measurably compromised and urgent intervention is needed. S=4 means stability is lost — there is an acute danger of collapse, and the structure must be closed or propped immediately.

The V-axis (Verkehrssicherheit) evaluates risks to road users, pedestrians, or adjacent property. For retaining walls, V-ratings are particularly important where the wall borders a road, footpath, or railway. A V=2 rating triggers a warning requirement; V=3 demands usage restrictions; V=4 requires immediate closure or barricading. The D-axis (Dauerhaftigkeit) captures the rate of ongoing deterioration. D=1 indicates a slow, long-term degradation; D=2 signals medium-term impairment requiring planned repair; D=3 warns of rapid short-term deterioration; D=4 means the component has reached the end of its serviceable life. A key validation rule in RI-EBW-PRUF is that D should generally be greater than or equal to S, because a defect that compromises structural stability has, by definition, already exhausted some durability.

The same S-V-D methodology also applies to DIN 1076 bridge inspections. A conceptually similar multi-axis approach is found in the NEN 2767 condition assessment, which uses severity, intensity, and extent as three dimensions.

RI-EBW-PRUF applies to all retaining walls (Stutzwande) along federal, state, and municipal roads that meet the DIN 1076 height threshold — typically 1.50 m visible height for supporting walls and 2.00 m for other functions. The form captures the Bauwerksart (structure type) from eleven categories defined in the ASB-ING data model. These range from the most common cantilever walls (Winkelstützwand, WStW) through gravity walls (Schwergewichtswand, SGW), gabion walls (Gabione, Gab), sheet pile walls (Spundwand, SpW), solid walls (Massivwand, MW), ribbed walls (Rippenwand, RiW), natural stone walls (Natursteinwand, NStW), bored pile walls (Pfahlwand, PfW), soldier pile walls (Tragerwand, TrW), diaphragm walls (Schlitzwand, SchlW), and reinforced earth walls (Bewehrte Erde).

Each wall type has distinct failure modes. A cantilever wall (WStW) made of reinforced concrete is susceptible to flexural cracking at the stem-footing junction and carbonation-induced reinforcement corrosion. A gabion wall (Gab) might show mesh wire corrosion, basket deformation, or fill material washout. A sheet pile wall (SpW) is prone to section loss from corrosion in the splash zone and interlock failure. The structure type selection directly influences which entries in the Schadensbeispielkatalog are applicable and which S-V-D rating ranges are realistic for a given symptom.

The eight Bauteilgruppe (component group) categories divide each wall into inspectable zones. Bauwerk (structure general) covers overall geometry, alignment, and settlement. Grundung (foundation) addresses base slab conditions, scour, and undermining. Unterbau (substructure) covers the wall stem and structural body. Anker (anchors) is specifically relevant for tied-back walls and sheet piles. Entwasserung (drainage) includes weep holes, drainage channels, and filter systems — a frequent source of defects in retaining walls where blocked drainage leads to hydrostatic pressure buildup. Kappen/Abdeckungen (caps and copings) protects the wall crown. Gelander/Schutzeinrichtung (railings and safety barriers) captures the condition of fall protection and vehicle restraint systems mounted on or above the wall.

For further details on the ASB-ING data structure, refer to the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), which publishes the ASB guidelines.

The Gesamtbewertung & Massnahmen (Overall Evaluation & Measures) section closes the inspection loop by translating observed defects into actionable recommendations. After completing all Einzelschaden records, the inspector writes a Pruftext (inspection summary) and assigns one or more Massnahmenempfehlungen (recommended measures). Each measure has two mandatory attributes: a type classification and an urgency level. This dual structure ensures that maintenance planners know both what needs to be done and how quickly it must happen.

The eight measure types span the full spectrum from routine upkeep to emergency response. Unterhaltung (maintenance) covers regular preventive work like vegetation clearing, joint resealing, or drainage cleaning. Instandsetzung (repair) addresses active damage that requires material restoration — concrete patching, crack injection, or corrosion protection renewal. Erneuerung (renewal) means full replacement of a component that has reached end of life. Verstarkung (strengthening) applies when the load-bearing capacity must be increased beyond its original design, often triggered by changed traffic loads or updated standards. Warnhinweis (warning sign) is a temporary safety measure. Nutzungseinschrankung (usage restriction) imposes load limits, lane closures, or pedestrian exclusions. Sondergutachten (special expert opinion) flags situations where the inspector identifies a condition that exceeds their assessment competence and requires specialist investigation.

The four urgency levels determine the response timeline. Umgehend (immediate) triggers Sofortmassnahmen — emergency actions such as road closures, temporary propping, or barrier installation that must begin within hours or days. Kurzfristig (short-term) requires action within weeks to months. Mittelfristig (medium-term) allows planning within the next one to three years, typically aligned with budget cycles. Langfristig (long-term) defers action to the next major maintenance window, usually three to six years. A measure of type Nutzungseinschrankung with urgency Umgehend is the most severe combination — it means the wall has failed a safety criterion and the adjacent road or path must be restricted immediately.

All measures and urgency levels are recorded in the standards directory-referenced SIB-Bauwerke system.