Vinyl Pool Backing/Support

[FireMedic949]

I'm replacing my pool deck and have questions on backing/support for the pool wall. It's a vinyl lined pool and soil is about 18" below top rim of the pool. This is my first pool and I know very little about the construction of vinyl lined pools. It looks like there was some kind of metal backing that is rusting out and peeling off. I'm assuming this was to provide support for the vinyl wall above the level of the soil although I'm also not sure if it's just left over from the liner before this current one was installed. I've attached several pictures of it. Do I need to do anything about this while I have the deck up? Should I pack some soil against the pool wall (with cinder blocks holding the soil in place) to provide support?
This is in East Texas for weather/climate reference.
Thanks.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

With a liner pool, after the hole is dug steel walls are erected to stabilize the soil and support the water filled liner. It sounds like the steel walls are rusting out. In time either the soil will cause a wall to collapse or the steel will not be able to support the water weight of the liner.

Not much you can do other then save for the time when your pool needs a major rebuild.

This is what your pool would look like without the liner with new steel walls…