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Site & Project Evaluation;

Project Consideration;
and Geometric Design
PW Lesson 4
RM Chapter 2: Sections 2.6 to 2.8

Lesson 4 Learning Outcomes


Participants will be able to:
List typical MSEW & RSS exploration
requirements
List agency MSEW project criteria
Discuss geometric design considerations of
facing types

Soil and Site Investigation


A MSE Wall is not an embankment
A MSE Wall is a structure

Article 10.4.2

(AASHTO, 2007)

Subsurface explorations shall be performed to provide


the information needed for design and construction. . .
Borings should be in sufficient number and depth to
establish a reliable longitudinal and transverse
substrata profile . . . .

Site Evaluation Elements


Evaluate existing subsurface information
Field reconnaissance
Subsurface exploration
Drilling and Sampling, SPT, CPT, bulk samples
Borings spaced @ 100 ft along wall, 150 ft back
Geophysics to reduce uncertainty between borings and
planning of subsurface exploration

Laboratory testing
Mechanical properties, grain size, index tests
Strength properties, shear (frictional)
Electrochemical properties, pH, resistivity, etc.

150 ft

100 ft

200 ft

Typical
Boring
Layout

Wall boring
1-2H

Soil and Site Exploration


Flexibility has limitations
Evaluate site stability
Settlement/bearing resistance of
foundation soils
Location of ground water
Need for drainage
Availability of reinforced wall fill

Subsurface Exploration Requirements

Reinforced Zone

Retained
Retained
Backfill
Backfill
Natural Soil
Limits of
Excavation

Foundation
Soil

Drainage

Primary Causes of
Substructure Movement
Post construction settlement
of approach embankment or
foundation soils
Instability of foundation soils
Loss of support due to
lateral squeeze

Foundation Soils Control


Overall Stability
e.g., Bearing Capacity

Foundation Improvement
Techniques
Normal consolidation
Surcharging w/ or w/o wick drains
Stone columns
Dynamic compaction

Ground
Improvement

Lightweight fill
Deep foundations (e.g., piles &
drilled piers)
OWNER/AGENCYS RESPONSIBILITY!

Testing
Identify & classify
Mechanical properties, grain size,
index tests

Shear strength
Drained, undrained

Consolidation
Electrochemical

Shear Strength of In-Situ Soils


Laboratory Tests including triaxial (UU, CU,
and CD) and direct shear
In-situ tests including CPT and field vane test
Consider appropriate drainage condition in the
field and sample disturbance

Reinforced Fill Properties

Gradation
Reinforced fill top size
Plasticity
Moisture density relations
Shear strength
Soundness
Corrosion/Degradation
Electrochemical (metals)
Durability (geosynthetics)

See RM - Chapter 3 and PW - Lesson 5

Retained Backfill Properties

Gradation
Plasticity
Moisture density relations
Shear strength

See RM - Chapter 3 and PW - Lesson 5

Selection Factors
Subsurface conditions
bearing capacity
settlement considerations

Aesthetics
type of structure, MSEW or RSS

Environmental conditions
aggressiveness of site

Size of structure
ROW, technical limitations

Risk
Cost

Establishment of Project Criteria


Consider all possible alternatives
Choose a system (MSEW or RSS)
Choose facing system
Identify performance criteria
Assess environmental conditions

Performance Criteria
Load Factors
Resistance Factors
Lateral Deflection
Embedment
Design Life
Joint Width
Other (see manual)

MSEW Load & Resistance Factors


Strength Limits see RM Chapter 4, PW
Lessons 8, 9, and 10
Serviceability Limits see RM Chapter 4,
PW Lessons 8, 9, and 10
Extreme Limits see RM - Chapter 7, PW
Lesson 13

Nominal Reinforcement Strength


Nominal steel tensile strength
Nominal geosynthetic strength
See RM Chapter 3, PW Lesson 7

RSS Factors of Safety


PW Lessons 13 and 14, see RM
Chapters 8 & 9

Lateral Deformation During Construction


(Empirical) (RM Figure 2-15)

Typical Deformation
for 0.7H & H = 10
Metallic reinf.
Geogrids reinf. 1.5
Geotextiles 3

Project Criteria

Limits of
Excavation

Wall Embedment
Slope in Front of Wall
Horizontal (walls)

Minimum to Top
of Leveling Pad
H / 20

Horizontal (abutments)

H / 10

3 Horiz : 1 Vert
2 Horiz : 1 Vert
3 Horiz : 2 Vert

H / 10
H/7
H/5

H is the total height of wall (for slopes can use H = hexposed + 2 ft)
For sloping ground provide a bench 4 ft bench in front of wall
Embed at least 2 ft below anticipated scour depth
Embed below frost depth

Facing
4 ft min.

Reinforcement (typ.)
Retained
Backfill

Reinforced Fill
ds

Reinforced Zone
dh

dh-min = 2 ft

Leveling
Pad

Required Design Life


Structure Classification

Design Life (years)

Permanent structures

75

Abutments and critical


applications
Temporary walls

100
<3

See RM Chapter 3, PW Lesson 7

Limiting Differential Settlements for


MSEW Facing Systems
Type of Facing
Precast ( 30 ft2)

Limiting Differential
Settlement
1 / 100

Joint
Width
-inch

Precast

1 / 200

-inch

Precast Full-height

1 / 500

-inch

Drycast MBW

1 / 200

N/A

Welded Wire

1/50

N/A

(30 ft2 to 75 ft2)

Manifestation of Differential Settlements

Manifestation of Differential Settlements

Lesson 4 Learning Outcomes


Participants will be able to:
List typical MSEW & RSS exploration
requirements
List agency MSEW project criteria
Discuss geometric design considerations of
facing types

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