Mechanically stabilized earth walls and slopes are constructed with "reinforced soil." Reinforcing elements include such things as steel strips, steel or polymeric grids, and geotextile sheets and are placed in the soil to improve tensile resistance. Placement of reinforcing elements of this type significantly strengthens the soil and allows construction on very steep slopes. Even vertical walls can be constructed without support from a massive structural system at the face.

The primary objective of this project is to demonstrate that MSE walls and slopes can be designed and constructed at a reasonable cost to solve site-specific problems. The project is directed toward geotechnical, structural, and construction engineers who design and construct geotechnical facilities (embankments, cut slopes, retaining walls, and structures), and the demonstration project has three major elements:

1.Workshops with manuals on MSE walls and reinforced soil slopes to present an overview of these ground modification techniques.

2.Workshops and seminars (involving industry) on MSE walls and slopes.

3. Follow-up activities including:

• Technical assistance on the design and construction monitoring aspects of MSE walls and slopes for specific projects.
• Development and distribution of practical technical guidelines.
• Selected full-scale monitoring of MSE wall and MSE slope construction projects.

A stand-alone workshop on MSE walls and slopes has been developed and is now being presented. Comprehensive design manuals on MSE applications and on corrosion of reinforcing elements are available for use in the workshops. Technical assistance has been provided to several States during the project development phase, and several joint FHWA State industry seminars have been held.

A general ground modification seminar (DP 116) has also been developed and will be available in the 4th quarter of FY 98. The seminar will briefly address all ground modification techniques and focus on their cost-effective application, specifications, and contracting and quality assurance methods.

Not available.

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HIGHWAYTECHNET   VIRTUAL EXPO   STRUCTURES INDEX

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U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration