Rainforce Earth

3100

Rainforce Earth
 Annexure - 1

Table 3100-1 Selection Criteria based on height, durability and loading for vertical retaining walls
Section 3100

Height of retaining Design life Loading Seismic zone –

wall IS 1893 (Part 1) :2002
SYSTEM CONDITION < 10m > 10m 20 to 100 < 20 yrs Bridge or IRC Zone II Zone III,
yrs any heavy traffic IV & V
load loading
(DL+LL) (LL)

Flexible face Yes Yes Yes6 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

2
Metallic Discrete concrete
reinforcement facing system Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Block wall Yes NO NO 1 Yes NO 2 Yes3 Yes3 NO 2
Rigid facing Yes NO Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes NO

Flexible face Yes Yes Yes6 Yes NO Yes Yes Yes

Non-metallic Discrete concrete
(Synthetic) facing system 4 Yes NO5 Yes Yes NO Yes Yes Yes
reinforcement Block wall Yes NO NO 1 Yes NO Yes3 Yes3 NO 2
RCC full height Yes NO Yes Yes NO Yes Yes Yes
Reinforced Earth
 1. Pre-cast block wall can be used only if the blocks are casted by wet mix concrete and not by dry mix
method
2. Block wall system can be used only if the connection system is mechanical and all blocks shall be
connected by main or secondary reinforcement
Reinforced Earth

3. Only mechanical connection system shall be used no friction based connection system shall be used,
all blocks in top two meter shall be connected with main or secondary reinforcement to cater for
impact loading
4. Each facing panel shall be connected with minimum 2 layers (vertically) of reinforcement and for strap
minimum 4 numbers of connector per panel (2 in horizontal and 2 in vertical elevations) shall be used.
The main reinforcement shall be connected with panel by means of only mechanical arrangement.
Concrete to concrete contact shall be avoided by provision of EPDM bearing pad in horizontal joints
and clear gap in vertical joints.

3
5. Wall constructed with non-metallic (synthetic) reinforcement with height more than 6m shall not be
permitted unless it can be satisfactorily demonstrated by previous experience that similar high
structures has been constructed using exactly the same system by same system provider (height of
wall, geometry, facing, reinforcement, connection, design methods, loading condition) and subject to
approval of engineer in-charge.
6. All steel flexible facing for permanent structure (design life upto 100yrs) shall be hot dip galvanized
(minimum 400 gm/sqm). For non-metalic (synthetic) wrap around facing, a perennial vegetation cover
with/without erosion control blanket shall be ensured.
Section 3100
 Table 3100-2 Decision chart for reinforcement type according to environment
and application

Environment / Type of fill

Section 3100

Low Chlorides High Chloride Fine Soils Low

and Sulphates and Sulphates treated with Recycled Acidic fills Extensibility
High resistivity Marine cement or Concrete High Walls
Application lime Abutments
cf table below 10 < pH < 12 9 < pH <11 2 < pH < 5
Black Steel < 20 yrs
5 < pH < 10 NO NO NO NO YES

steel
Galvanized 100 yrs
steel 5 < pH < 10 NO NO NO NO YES

4
Polyester
(PET) yarn 100 yrs , 4 < pH < 9 NO YES NO
PVA, PP &
HDPE 100 yrs , pH > 3 NO

Table 3100-3 Special condition for use of metallic (steel) reinforcement

Environment Type of fill Electrochemical characteristics

pH Resistivity (Ohm.cm) Maximum salt contents(ppm)
Out of water Draining or 5 TO 10 > 1000
granular Chlorides < 100
Fresh Water Granular 5 TO 10 > 3000 Sulfates < 200
Reinforced Earth
 Table 3100-4 Selection criteria based on foundation condition

The short term and long term performance of reinforced soil wall structures depends primarily on foundation soil
condition. Hence, it is most important to select appropriate technology depending of foundation soil condition
and also type of improvement measures. Decision chart for reinforcement type according to foundation / improved
Reinforced Earth

foundation condition:

FOUNDATION Hard, Soft or Dense to Improved

CONDITION Disintegrated medium Loose sand / foundation Improved
Rock dense Sand clay with PVD, foundation Foundation
Synthetic with Stone treated with
reinforcement column/pile replacement
Expected total settlement Expected total settlement
< 50mm > 50mm
Only metallic reinforcement All types of retaining wall,

5
upto a maximum height of slope and abutment1 can be
All types of retaining wall, 7.0m for vertical wall. No pure constructed.
slope and abutment1 can be abutment is recommended.
constructed Synthetic reinforcement with
flexible facing upto a maximum
height of 7.0m for vertical wall
and 20m for steep slope.

1. The allowable post construction settlement (after construction of bridge deck) shall be
restricted to maximum 25mm.
Section 3100