U. S. Department of TransportationPublicationNo.FHWA-NHI-10-025FederalHighwayAdministrationFHWA GEC 011-Volume IINovember2009NHI Courses No. 132042 and 132043Design and Construction ofMechanically Stabilized Earth Wallsand Reinforced Soil Slopes - Volume IlDeveloped following:AASHTOLRFDBridgeDesignandAASHTOLRFDBridgeConstructionSpecifications, 4hEdition,2007,Specifications, 2ndEdition,2004, withwith 2008 and 2009 Interims.2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 Interims.NHiNATIONALHIGHWAYINSTITUTE
U. S. Department of Transportation Publication No. FHWA-NHI-10-025 Federal Highway Administration FHWA GEC 011 – Volume II November 2009 NHI Courses No. 132042 and 132043 Design and Construction of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls and Reinforced Soil Slopes – Volume II Developed following: AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design and AASHTO LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications, 4th Edition, 2007, Specifications, 2nd Edition, 2004, with with 2008 and 2009 Interims. 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 Interims
TechnicalReportDocumentationPage1.REPORT NO.2. GOVERNMENT3.RECIPIENTS CATALOG NOACCESSIONNO.FHWA-NHI-10-025FHWAGEC011-VolII4.TITLEANDSUBTITLE5.REPORTDATENovember2009Design of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls6.PERFORMINGORGANIZATIONCODEandReinforcedSoil Slopes-VolumeII7.AUTHOR(S)8.PERFORMINGORGANIZATIONREPORTNO.Ryan R. Berg, P.E.; Barry R. Christopher.Ph.D., P.E. and Naresh C. Samtani, Ph.D.P.E9.PERFORMINGORGANIZATIONNAMEANDADDRESS10.WORKUNITNORyan R.Berg & Associates, Inc.11.CONTRACTORGRANTNO2190 Leyland AlcoveDTFH61-06-D-00019/T-06-001Woodbury,MN5512512. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS13.TYPEOFREPORT&PERIODCOVEREDNationalHighwayInstituteFederal Highway Administration14.SPONSORINGAGENCYCODEU.S.Department of TransportationWashington, D.C.15.SUPPLEMENTARYNOTESFHWA Technical Consultants: Rich Barrows, P.E., Silas Nichols, P.E., and Daniel Alzamora, P.E.TechnicalConsultant:JamesG.Collin,Ph.D.,P.E16.ABSTRACTThis manual is the reference text used for the FHWA NHI courses No. 132042 and 132043onMechanicallyStabilizedEarthWallsandReinforcedSoilSlopesandreflectscurrentpracticeforthedesign,constructionand monitoringofthesestructures.Thismanualwasprepared to enable the engineer to identify and evaluate potential applications of MSE wallsand RsS as an alternative to other construction methods and as a means to solve constructionproblems.The scope is sufficientlybroad to beof valuefor specifications specialists,construction andcontractingpersonnel responsibleforconstruction inspection,developmentof material specifications and contracting methods. With the aid of this text, the engineershould be able to properly select, design, specify, monitor and contract for the construction ofMSEwallsandRSSembankments.The MSE wall design within this manual is based upon Load and Resistance Factor Design(LRFD) procedures. This manual is a revision (to LRFD) and an update to the FHWA NHI-00-043manual (which was based upon allowable stress design (ASD)procedures)17.KEYWORDS18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENTDesign, Load and Resistance Factor DesignNorestrictions(LRFD), analysis,performance criteria,Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE)Walls,Reinforced Soil Slopes(RSS),soilreinforcement,geosynthetics,specifications,contractingmethods19. SECURITY CLASSIF20.SECURITY CLASSIF21. NO. OF PAGES22Unclassified378Unclassified
Technical Report Documentation Page 1. REPORT NO. 2. GOVERNMENT 3. RECIPIENT'S CATALOG NO. ACCESSION NO. FHWA-NHI-10-025 FHWA GEC 011-Vol II 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. REPORT DATE November 2009 Design of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls and Reinforced Soil Slopes – Volume II 6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE 7. AUTHOR(S) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO. Ryan R. Berg, P.E.; Barry R. Christopher, Ph.D., P.E. and Naresh C. Samtani, Ph.D., P.E. 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. WORK UNIT NO. Ryan R. Berg & Associates, Inc. 11. CONTRACT OR GRANT NO. 2190 Leyland Alcove DTFH61-06-D-00019/T-06-001 Woodbury, MN 55125 12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS 13. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED National Highway Institute Federal Highway Administration 14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE U.S. Department of Transportation Washington, D.C. 15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES FHWA Technical Consultants: Rich Barrows, P.E., Silas Nichols, P.E., and Daniel Alzamora, P.E. Technical Consultant: James G. Collin, Ph.D., P.E. 16. ABSTRACT This manual is the reference text used for the FHWA NHI courses No. 132042 and 132043 on Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls and Reinforced Soil Slopes and reflects current practice for the design, construction and monitoring of these structures. This manual was prepared to enable the engineer to identify and evaluate potential applications of MSE walls and RSS as an alternative to other construction methods and as a means to solve construction problems. The scope is sufficiently broad to be of value for specifications specialists, construction and contracting personnel responsible for construction inspection, development of material specifications and contracting methods. With the aid of this text, the engineer should be able to properly select, design, specify, monitor and contract for the construction of MSE walls and RSS embankments. The MSE wall design within this manual is based upon Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) procedures. This manual is a revision (to LRFD) and an update to the FHWA NHI 00-043 manual (which was based upon allowable stress design (ASD) procedures). 17. KEY WORDS 18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT Design, Load and Resistance Factor Design No restrictions. (LRFD), analysis, performance criteria, Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls, Reinforced Soil Slopes (RSS), soil reinforcement, geosynthetics, specifications, contracting methods 19. SECURITY CLASSIF. 20. SECURITY CLASSIF. 21. NO. OF PAGES 22 Unclassified Unclassified 378
SICONVERSIONFACTORSAPPROXIMATECONVERSIONSFROMSIUNITSSymbolMultiply ByTo FindSymbolWhen You KnowLENGTH0.039inmmmillimetersinchesft3.28feetmmeters1.09yardsydmmeterskm0.621mikilometersmilesAREAin?mm?0.0016squaremillimeterssquare inchesft2m?10.764square feetsquare metersm?yd?1.195square yardssquare metersha2.47hectaresacacreskm?mi?0.386square kilometerssquaremilesVOLUMEmlfl oz0.034fluid ouncesmillimeters1galliters0.264gallonsm3ft335.71cubic meterscubic feetm3yd'1.307cubic yardscubic metersMASS0.035ggramsozounces1bkg2.202kilogramspoundsTEMPERATURE°℃°F1.8 C + 32CelsiusFahrenheitWEIGHTDENSITYkN/m36.36pcfkilonewton/cubicmpoundforce/cubicfootFORCEandPRESSUREorSTRESSN0.2251bfpoundforcenewtonskN2251bf kilonewtonspoundforcekPa0.145psikilopascalspoundforce / sq in.kPa20.9psfkilopascalspoundforce / sq ft
SI CONVERSION FACTORS APPROXIMATE CONVERSIONS FROM SI UNITS Symbol When You Know Multiply By To Find Symbol LENGTH mm m m km millimeters meters meters kilometers 0.039 3.28 1.09 0.621 inches feet yards miles in ft yd mi AREA mm2 m 2 m 2 ha km2 square millimeters square meters square meters hectares square kilometers 0.0016 10.764 1.195 2.47 0.386 square inches square feet square yards acres square miles in2 ft2 yd2 ac mi2 VOLUME ml l m3 m3 millimeters liters cubic meters cubic meters 0.034 0.264 35.71 1.307 fluid ounces gallons cubic feet cubic yards fl oz gal ft3 yd3 MASS g kg grams kilograms 0.035 2.202 ounces pounds oz lb TEMPERATURE °C Celsius 1.8 C + 32 Fahrenheit °F kN/m3 WEIGHT DENSITY kilonewton / cubic m 6.36 poundforce / cubic foot pcf FORCE and PRESSURE or STRESS N kN kPa kPa newtons kilonewtons kilopascals kilopascals 0.225 225 0.145 20.9 poundforce poundforce poundforce / sq in. poundforce / sq ft lbf lbf psi psf
PREFACEEngineers and specialty material suppliers have been designing reinforced soil structures forthe past 35 years.Currently,many state DOTs are transitioning their design of substructuresfrom Allowable Stress Design (ASD) to Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD)procedures.This manual is based upon LRFD for MSE wall structures. It has been updated from the2001FHWANHI-00-043manual.In addition to revision of thewall design toLRFDprocedures, expanded discussion on wall detailing and general updates throughout themanual are provided.The primary purpose of this manual is to support educational programsconductedbyFHWAfortransportationagencies.A second purpose of equal importance is to serve as the FHWA standard reference forhighway projects involving MSE wall and reinforced soil structures.This Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls (MSE) and Reinforced Soil Slopes (RSS),Designand Construction Guidelines Manual which is an update of the current FHWA NHI-00-043,has evolved from the following AASHTO and FHWA references:AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 4th Edition, 2007, with 2008 and 2009Interim Revisions.Earth Retaining Structures, by B.F.Tanyu, P.J.Sabatini, and R.R.Berg,FHWA-NHI-07-071 (2008).AASHTO LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications, 2nd Edition, 2004, with 2006Interim Revisions.Geosynthetic Design and Construction Guidelines, by R.D.Holtz, B.R. Christopher, andR.R. Berg, FHWA HI-07-092 (2008).Guidelines for Design, Specification, and Contracting of Geosynthetic MechanicallyStabilized Earth Slopes onFirmFoundations,byR.R.Berg,FHWA-SA-93-025,January1993.Reinforced Soil Structures - Volume I, Design and Construction Guidelines - Volume II,Summary of Research and Systems Information, by B.R.Christopher,S.A.Gill, J.PGiroud, J.K.Mitchell,F. Schlosser, and J.Dunnicliff, FHWA RD 89-043 (1990)· Design and Construction Monitoring of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Structures, byJ.A.DiMaggio, FHWA, (1994)AASHTO Bridge T-15 Technical Committee unpublished working drafts for the updateof Section11.0of theAASHTOLRFDBridgeDesignSpecifications.FHWA NHI-10-025iliMSEWalls and RSS- Vol IINovember2009
PREFACE Engineers and specialty material suppliers have been designing reinforced soil structures for the past 35 years. Currently, many state DOTs are transitioning their design of substructures from Allowable Stress Design (ASD) to Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) procedures. This manual is based upon LRFD for MSE wall structures. It has been updated from the 2001 FHWA NHI-00-043 manual. In addition to revision of the wall design to LRFD procedures, expanded discussion on wall detailing and general updates throughout the manual are provided. The primary purpose of this manual is to support educational programs conducted by FHWA for transportation agencies. A second purpose of equal importance is to serve as the FHWA standard reference for highway projects involving MSE wall and reinforced soil structures. This Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls (MSE) and Reinforced Soil Slopes (RSS), Design and Construction Guidelines Manual which is an update of the current FHWA NHI-00-043, has evolved from the following AASHTO and FHWA references: C AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 4th Edition, 2007, with 2008 and 2009 Interim Revisions. C Earth Retaining Structures, by B.F. Tanyu, P.J. Sabatini, and R.R. Berg, FHWA-NHI-07 071 (2008). C AASHTO LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications, 2nd Edition, 2004, with 2006 Interim Revisions. C Geosynthetic Design and Construction Guidelines, by R.D. Holtz, B.R. Christopher, and R.R. Berg, FHWA HI-07-092 (2008). C Guidelines for Design, Specification, and Contracting of Geosynthetic Mechanically Stabilized Earth Slopes on Firm Foundations, by R.R. Berg, FHWA-SA-93-025, January 1993. C Reinforced Soil Structures - Volume I, Design and Construction Guidelines - Volume II, Summary of Research and Systems Information, by B.R. Christopher, S.A. Gill, J.P. Giroud, J.K. Mitchell, F. Schlosser, and J. Dunnicliff, FHWA RD 89-043 (1990). C Design and Construction Monitoring of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Structures, by J.A. DiMaggio, FHWA, (1994). C AASHTO Bridge T-15 Technical Committee unpublished working drafts for the update of Section 11.0 of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. FHWA NHI-10-025 MSE Walls and RSS – Vol II iii November 2009
The authors recognize the efforts and contributions of Messrs. Richard Barrows, P.E., SilasNichols, P.E., and Daniel Alzamora P.E, who were the FHWA Technical Consultants for thiswork.The authors also recognize the contributions of the other Technical Consultants onthisproject.Theyare:·Tony Allen, P.E. of Washington DOT:Christopher Benda, P.E. of Vermont DOT·James Brennan, P.E.of Kansas DOT.James Collin, Ph.D., P.E. of The Collin Group:JerryDiMaggio, P.E.oftheNational Academy of Sciences·Kenneth L.Fishman, Ph.D.,P.E.of EarthReinforcement Testing, Inc:Kathryn Griswell, P.E. of CALTRANSJohn Guido, P.E. of Ohio DOT.Dan Johnston, P.E.of South Dakota DOT::DovLeshchinsky,Ph.D.oftheUniversityofDelawareMichael Simac, P.E. of Earth Improvement Technologies, Inc.James L.Withiam, Ph.D., P.E.of D'Appolonia Engineers.And the authors acknowledge the contributions ofthefollowing industry associations:.Association of Metallically Stabilized Earth (AMSE).Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA)National Concrete MasonryAssociation (NCMA).A special acknowledgement of Mr. Jerry A. DiMaggio, P.E. who was the FHWA TechnicalConsultant for most of the above referenced publications.Mr.DiMaggio's guidance andinput to this and the previous works has been invaluable.Lastly, the authors wish to acknowledge the extensive work of the late Victor Elias, P.E.forhis vital contributions and significant effort as Lead Author in preparing the earlier two(1997, 2001)versions of this manual, and as the author of the earlier companion manuals oncorrosion/degradationofsoilreinforcements.Mr.Eliaswasinstrumentalintheintroductionand implementation of reinforced soil technology in the U.S., as a Vice President for TheReinforced Earth Company from 1974 to 1985. He was instrumental in research, refinementofdesign methods, and standards of practice and codes for MSE walls,as a Consultant from1985until2006FHWA NHI-10-025ivMSE Walls and RSS -Vol IINovember2009
The authors recognize the efforts and contributions of Messrs. Richard Barrows, P.E., Silas Nichols, P.E., and Daniel Alzamora P.E. who were the FHWA Technical Consultants for this work. The authors also recognize the contributions of the other Technical Consultants on this project. They are: C Tony Allen, P.E. of Washington DOT C Christopher Benda, P.E. of Vermont DOT C James Brennan, P.E. of Kansas DOT C James Collin, Ph.D., P.E. of The Collin Group C Jerry DiMaggio, P.E. of the National Academy of Sciences C Kenneth L. Fishman, Ph.D., P.E. of Earth Reinforcement Testing, Inc. C Kathryn Griswell, P.E. of CALTRANS C John Guido, P.E. of Ohio DOT C Dan Johnston, P.E. of South Dakota DOT C Dov Leshchinsky, Ph.D. of the University of Delaware C Michael Simac, P.E. of Earth Improvement Technologies, Inc. C James L. Withiam, Ph.D., P.E. of D’Appolonia Engineers And the authors acknowledge the contributions of the following industry associations: C Association of Metallically Stabilized Earth (AMSE) C Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) C National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) A special acknowledgement of Mr. Jerry A. DiMaggio, P.E. who was the FHWA Technical Consultant for most of the above referenced publications. Mr. DiMaggio's guidance and input to this and the previous works has been invaluable. Lastly, the authors wish to acknowledge the extensive work of the late Victor Elias, P.E. for his vital contributions and significant effort as Lead Author in preparing the earlier two (1997, 2001) versions of this manual, and as the author of the earlier companion manuals on corrosion/degradation of soil reinforcements. Mr. Elias was instrumental in the introduction and implementation of reinforced soil technology in the U.S., as a Vice President for The Reinforced Earth Company from 1974 to 1985. He was instrumental in research, refinement of design methods, and standards of practice and codes for MSE walls, as a Consultant from 1985 until 2006. FHWA NHI-10-025 MSE Walls and RSS – Vol II iv November 2009
TABLEOFCONTENTS-VolumeIICHAPTER8REINFORCED (STEEPENED)SOIL SLOPESPROJECTEVALUATION.... 8-18.18-1INTRODUCTION8.2.8-1REINFORCEDSOILSLOPESYSTEMS.8-18.2.1TypesofSystems8-28.2.2Construction Materials8.3DESIGN APPROACH.8-2.8-28.3.1UseConsiderations.8.3.2.8-4Design of Reinforcementfor Compaction Aid8.3.3.8-4DesignofReinforcementforSteepeningSlopesandSlopeRepair8.3.48-6Computer-AssistedDesign8.3.5.8-8Evaluation of External Stability8.48-11CONSTRUCTIONSEQUENCE8.58-15TREATMENTOFOUTWARDFACE.8.5.18-15Grass Type Vegetation8.5.28-16Soil Bioengineering (Woody Vegetation)8-198.5.3Armored8.6..8-20DESIGNDETAILS8.6.1..8-20Guardrail and Traffic Barriers.8.6.2..8-20Drainage Considerations.8.6.3..8-21Obstructions8-218.7CASEHISTORIES8.7.18-21TheDickeyLakeRoadway Grade Improvement Project8.7.28-24Salmon-Lost Trail Roadway Widening Project8.7.38-26CannonCreekAlternateEmbankmentConstructionProject8.7.48-27Pennsylvania SR54RoadwayRepairProject..8-298.7.5Massachusetts Turnpike-Use of Soil Bioengineering8.7.6242-foot High 1H:1VReinforced Soil Slope for Airport Runway.8-32Extension..8.8.8-34STANDARDRSS DESIGNS...9-1CHAPTER9DESIGNOFREINFORCEDSOILSLOPES9.1.9-1INTRODUCTION9.29-3REINFORCEDSLOPEDESIGNGUIDELINES9.2.1Step 1- Establish the geometric, loading, and performance.9-3requirements for design..9.2.2.9-3Step2-Determinetheengineeringproperties ofthe in-situsoils..9.2.3Step 3 - Determine the properties of reinforced fill and, if different, the9-5retainedfill9.2.49-5 Step 4 - Evaluate design parameters for the reinforcement .9-59.2.5Step 5- Check unreinforced stability.9.2.69-7Step 6 -Design reinforcement to provide a stable slope9.2.79-16Step 7-Check external stability.9.2.89-18Step 8 - Seismic stability..9.2.9Step9-Evaluaterequirementsfor subsurfaceandsurfacewaterrunoff9-19controlFHWANHI-10-025Tableof ContentsMSEWallsandRSS-VolIINovember2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS – Volume II CHAPTER 8 REINFORCED (STEEPENED) SOIL SLOPES PROJECT EVALUATION . 8-1 8.1 INTRODUCTION . 8-1 8.2 REINFORCED SOIL SLOPE SYSTEMS . 8-1 8.2.1 Types of Systems . 8-1 8.2.2 Construction Materials . 8-2 8.3 DESIGN APPROACH . 8-2 8.3.1 Use Considerations . 8-2 8.3.2 Design of Reinforcement for Compaction Aid . 8-4 8.3.3 Design of Reinforcement for Steepening Slopes and Slope Repair . 8-4 8.3.4 Computer-Assisted Design . 8-6 8.3.5 Evaluation of External Stability . 8-8 8.4 CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE . 8-11 8.5 TREATMENT OF OUTWARD FACE. 8-15 8.5.1 Grass Type Vegetation. 8-15 8.5.2 Soil Bioengineering (Woody Vegetation) . 8-16 8.5.3 Armored . 8-19 8.6 DESIGN DETAILS . 8-20 8.6.1 Guardrail and Traffic Barriers . 8-20 8.6.2 Drainage Considerations . 8-20 8.6.3 Obstructions . 8-21 8.7 CASE HISTORIES . 8-21 8.7.1 The Dickey Lake Roadway Grade Improvement Project . 8-21 8.7.2 Salmon-Lost Trail Roadway Widening Project . 8-24 8.7.3 Cannon Creek Alternate Embankment Construction Project . 8-26 8.7.4 Pennsylvania SR 54 Roadway Repair Project . 8-27 8.7.5 Massachusetts Turnpike - Use of Soil Bioengineering . 8-29 8.7.6 242-foot High 1H:1V Reinforced Soil Slope for Airport Runway Extension. 8-32 8.8 STANDARD RSS DESIGNS . 8-34 CHAPTER 9 DESIGN OF REINFORCED SOIL SLOPES . 9-1 9.1 INTRODUCTION . 9-1 9.2 REINFORCED SLOPE DESIGN GUIDELINES. 9-3 9.2.1 Step 1 - Establish the geometric, loading, and performance requirements for design. 9-3 9.2.2 Step 2 - Determine the engineering properties of the in-situ soils. 9-3 9.2.3 Step 3 - Determine the properties of reinforced fill and, if different, the retained fill. 9-5 9.2.4 Step 4 - Evaluate design parameters for the reinforcement . 9-5 9.2.5 Step 5 - Check unreinforced stability. 9-5 9.2.6 Step 6 - Design reinforcement to provide a stable slope . 9-7 9.2.7 Step 7 - Check external stability . 9-16 9.2.8 Step 8 - Seismic stability. 9-18 9.2.9 Step 9 - Evaluate requirements for subsurface and surface water runoff control . 9-19 FHWA NHI-10-025 Table of Contents MSE Walls and RSS – Vol II v November 2009
9.39-23COMPUTERASSISTEDDESIGN9.49-24PROJECTCOSTESTIMATESCHAPTER1OCONTRACTINGMETHODSANDSPECIFICATIONS10-1FORMSEWALLSANDSLOPES10.110-2POLICYDEVELOPMENT.10-210.2SYSTEMORCOMPONENTAPPROVALS10.3DESIGNANDPERFORMANCECRITERIA10-510.4..10-5AGENCYORSUPPLIERDESIGN.10-610.4.1Plan and Elevation Sheets.10-710.4.2Facing/Panel Details10-710.4.3DrainageFacilities/SpecialDetails10-710.4.4Design Computations.10-710.4.5GeotechnicalReport..10-810.4.6ConstructionSpecifications10.510-8ENDRESULTDESIGNAPPROACH10-910.5.1GeometricRequirements10-910.5.2GeotechnicalRequirements10-910.5.3Structural andDesignRequirements.10-1010.5.4PerformanceRequirements10.6.10-10STANDARDDESIGNS.10-1010.6.1MSEWStandardDesigns10-1210.6.2RSSStandardDesigns10.7REVIEWANDAPPROVALS10-1310.8CONSTRUCTIONSPECIFICATIONSANDSPECIALPROVISIONSFORMSEWANDRSSCONSTRUCTION.10-1410.9EXAMPLESPECIFICATIONFORMSEWALLS10-1510.10CONSTRUCTIONSPECIFICATIONSFORREINFORCED10-41SLOPESYSTEMS10.10.1SpecificationGuidelinesForRSSConstruction(AgencyDesign)10-4210.10.210-46Specification for ErosionControl Mat or Blanket10.10.310-48SpecificationforGeosyntheticDrainageComposite.10.10.4Specification Guidelines forGeosynthetic Reinforced Soil..10-52Slope Systems..11-1CHAPTER11FIELDINSPECTIONANDPERFORMANCEMONITORING11-111.1PRECONSTRUCTIONREVIEWS.11-311.1.1 Plans and Specifications..11-311.1.2ReviewofSiteConditionsandFoundationRequirements11.211-11PREFABRICATEDMATERIALSINSPECTION11.2.1PrecastConcreteElements..11-1111.2.2 Reinforcing Elements...11-13.11-1511.2.3FacingJointMaterials....11-1511.2.4Reinforced Backfill11.311-16CONSTRUCTIONCONTROL11-1611.3.1 Leveling Pad11.3.2ErectionofFacingElements.11-16FHWANHI-10-025Tableof ContentsviMSEWallsandRSS-VolIINovember2009
9.3 COMPUTER ASSISTED DESIGN . 9-23 9.4 PROJECT COST ESTIMATES . 9-24 CHAPTER 10 CONTRACTING METHODS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR MSE WALLS AND SLOPES. 10-1 10.1 POLICY DEVELOPMENT. 10-2 10.2 SYSTEM OR COMPONENT APPROVALS . 10-2 10.3 DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA . 10-5 10.4 AGENCY OR SUPPLIER DESIGN . 10-5 10.4.1 Plan and Elevation Sheets. 10-6 10.4.2 Facing/Panel Details . 10-7 10.4.3 Drainage Facilities/Special Details. 10-7 10.4.4 Design Computations. 10-7 10.4.5 Geotechnical Report. 10-7 10.4.6 Construction Specifications . 10-8 10.5 END RESULT DESIGN APPROACH . 10-8 10.5.1 Geometric Requirements . 10-9 10.5.2 Geotechnical Requirements . 10-9 10.5.3 Structural and Design Requirements . 10-9 10.5.4 Performance Requirements . 10-10 10.6 STANDARD DESIGNS . 10-10 10.6.1 MSEW Standard Designs . 10-10 10.6.2 RSS Standard Designs . 10-12 10.7 REVIEW AND APPROVALS. 10-13 10.8 CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR MSEW AND RSS CONSTRUCTION . 10-14 10.9 EXAMPLE SPECIFICATION FOR MSE WALLS . 10-15 10.10 CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS FOR REINFORCED SLOPE SYSTEMS . 10-41 10.10.1 Specification Guidelines For RSS Construction (Agency Design) 10-42 10.10.2 Specification for Erosion Control Mat or Blanket. 10-46 10.10.3 Specification for Geosynthetic Drainage Composite. 10-48 10.10.4 Specification Guidelines for Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Slope Systems . 10-52 CHAPTER 11 FIELD INSPECTION AND PERFORMANCE MONITORING. 11-1 11.1 PRECONSTRUCTION REVIEWS. 11-1 11.1.1 Plans and Specifications . 11-3 11.1.2 Review of Site Conditions and Foundation Requirements . 11-3 11.2 PREFABRICATED MATERIALS INSPECTION . 11-11 11.2.1 Precast Concrete Elements. 11-11 11.2.2 Reinforcing Elements. 11-13 11.2.3 Facing Joint Materials. 11-15 11.2.4 Reinforced Backfill . 11-15 11.3 CONSTRUCTION CONTROL . 11-16 11.3.1 Leveling Pad . 11-16 11.3.2 Erection of Facing Elements . 11-16 FHWA NHI-10-025 Table of Contents MSE Walls and RSS – Vol II vi November 2009
11-2211.3.3ReinforcedFillPlacement,Compaction11-2511.3.4 Placement of ReinforcingElements..11.3.5Placementof SubsequentFacingCourses (SegmentalFacings)11-2611-3511.4PERFORMANCEMONITORINGPROGRAMS11-3511.4.1PurposeofMonitoringProgram.11-3611.4.2 Limited Monitoring Program..11.4.3ComprehensiveMonitoringProgram11-3711-3711.4.4ProgramImplementation11.4.5Data Interpretation11-40REFERENCES.R-1APPENDICESAPPENDIXALRFDLOADCOMBINATIONSANDLOADFACTORS.ANDLOADFACTORFORPERMANENTLOADSA-1..B-1APPENDIX BDETERMINATIONOFPULLOUTRESISTANCEFACTORS..B.1..B-1EMPIRICALPROCEDURESTODETERMINEF*ANDα.B.2EXPERIMENTALPROCEDURESTODETERMINEF*ANDα..B-2B.3CONNECTIONRESISTANCEANDSTRENGTHOFPARTIALANDFULLFRICTIONSEGMENTALBLOCK/REINFORCEMENTFACINGCONNECTIONS..B-5B.4CONNECTIONRESISTANCEDEFINEDWITH.B-12SHORT-TERM TESTINGB.5.B-15REFERENCESAPPENDIXC.C-1TYPICALDIMENSIONSOFSTEELREINFORCEMENTSAPPENDIX DDETERMINATIONOFCREEPSTRENGTHREDUCTIONFACTOR...D-1D.1BACKGROUND... D-1D.2STEP-BY-STEPPROCEDURESFOREXTRAPOLATINGSTRESSRUPTUREDATA--CONVENTIONALMETHODD-5D.3STEP-BY-STEPPROCEDURESFOREXTRAPOLATINGSTRESSRUPTUREDATA -- STEPPEDISOTHERMALMETHOD(SIM)...D-.10D.4D-13DETERMINATIONOFRFCR...D.5USEOFCREEPDATAFROM"SIMILAR"PRODUCTSAND.D-14EVALUATIONOFPRODUCTLINESD.6CREEPEXTRAPOLATIONEXAMPLESUSINGSTRESS...E-16RUPTUREDATA..E-16D.6.1StressRuptureExtrapolationExampleD.7.E-20REFERENCESFHWA NHI-10-025Tableof ContentsviiMSEWallsandRSS-VolIINovember2009
11.3.3 Reinforced Fill Placement, Compaction . 11-22 11.3.4 Placement of Reinforcing Elements. 11-25 11.3.5 Placement of Subsequent Facing Courses (Segmental Facings) . 11-26 11.4 PERFORMANCE MONITORING PROGRAMS . 11-35 11.4.1 Purpose of Monitoring Program . 11-35 11.4.2 Limited Monitoring Program . 11-36 11.4.3 Comprehensive Monitoring Program . 11-37 11.4.4 Program Implementation . 11-37 11.4.5 Data Interpretation . 11-40 REFERENCES .R-1 APPENDICES APPENDIX A LRFD LOAD COMBINATIONS AND LOAD FACTORS, AND LOAD FACTOR FOR PERMANENT LOADS . A-1 APPENDIX B DETERMINATION OF PULLOUT RESISTANCE FACTORS .B-1 B.1 EMPIRICAL PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE F* AND α .B-1 B.2 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE F* AND α .B-2 B.3 CONNECTION RESISTANCE AND STRENGTH OF PARTIAL AND FULL FRICTION SEGMENTAL BLOCK/REINFORCEMENT FACING CONNECTIONS .B-5 B.4 CONNECTION RESISTANCE DEFINED WITH SHORT-TERM TESTING .B-12 B.5 REFERENCES .B-15 APPENDIX C TYPICAL DIMENSIONS OF STEEL REINFORCEMENTS .C-1 APPENDIX D DETERMINATION OF CREEP STRENGTH REDUCTION FACTOR . D-1 D.1 BACKGROUND . D-1 D.2 STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURES FOR EXTRAPOLATING STRESS RUPTURE DATA - CONVENTIONAL METHOD . D-5 D.3 STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURES FOR EXTRAPOLATING STRESS RUPTURE DATA - STEPPED ISOTHERMAL METHOD (SIM) . D-10 D.4 DETERMINATION OF RFCR . D-13 D.5 USE OF CREEP DATA FROM "SIMILAR" PRODUCTS AND EVALUATION OF PRODUCT LINES . D-14 D.6 CREEP EXTRAPOLATION EXAMPLES USING STRESS RUPTURE DATA .E-16 D.6.1 Stress Rupture Extrapolation Example .E-16 D.7 REFERENCES .E-20 FHWA NHI-10-025 Table of Contents MSE Walls and RSS – Vol II vii November 2009
APPENDIXEEXAMPLECALCULATIONSE.1MBWUnitFacedMSEWallwithBrokenBackSlopingFill andLiveE.1-1Load Surcharge,ReinforcedwithGeogrid..E.2Bearing Check for Sloping Toe Conditions, with and without Water.... E.2-1E.3SegmentalPrecastPanelMSEWall withSlopingBackfill Surcharge,E.3-1Reinforced with Steel StripsE.4Segmental Precast Panel MSE Wall with Level Backfill and Live Load.E.4-1Surcharge, Reinforced with Steel Bar Mats.E.5TrueBridgeAbutmentwithSegmentalPrecastPanelMSEWall..E.5-1ReinforcedwithSteelStrips.E.6.E.6-1Traffic Barrier Impact Loading on Top of an MSE WallE.7E.7-1Seismic Loading:..Psuedo-StaticAnalysis.E.8Reinforced Soil Slope Design --Road Widening.E.8-1E.9Reinforced Soil SlopeDesign --High Slope for New Road Construction.E.9-1E.10Reinforced Soil Slope Design -- Facing Stability CalculationE.10-1APPENDIXFOTHERDESIGNPROCEDURESANDANALSISMODELSF.1.F-2ASDProcedureand the Simplified MethodF.2.F-3CoherentGravityMethod..F-5F.3National Concrete Masonry Association ProcedureF.4..F-5GRSF.5.F-7FHWAStructural Stiffness Method.F.6.F-8K-Stiffness MethodF.7F-11DeepPatchFHWA NHI-10-025TableofContentsviliNovember2009MSEWallsandRSS-VolII
APPENDIX E EXAMPLE CALCULATIONS E.1 MBW Unit Faced MSE Wall with Broken Back Sloping Fill and Live Load Surcharge, Reinforced with Geogrid . E.1-1 E.2 Bearing Check for Sloping Toe Conditions, with and without Water . E.2-1 E.3 Segmental Precast Panel MSE Wall with Sloping Backfill Surcharge, Reinforced with Steel Strips .E.3-1 E.4 Segmental Precast Panel MSE Wall with Level Backfill and Live Load Surcharge, Reinforced with Steel Bar Mats.E.4-1 E.5 True Bridge Abutment with Segmental Precast Panel MSE Wall, Reinforced with Steel Strips .E.5-1 E.6 Traffic Barrier Impact Loading on Top of an MSE Wall .E.6-1 E.7 Seismic Loading . . . ., Psuedo-Static Analysis. E.7-1 E.8 Reinforced Soil Slope Design - Road Widening .E.8-1 E.9 Reinforced Soil Slope Design - High Slope for New Road Construction . E.9-1 E.10 Reinforced Soil Slope Design - Facing Stability Calculation .E.10-1 APPENDIX F OTHER DESIGN PROCEDURES AND ANALSIS MODELS F.1 ASD Procedure and the Simplified Method .F-2 F.2 Coherent Gravity Method .F-3 F.3 National Concrete Masonry Association Procedure .F-5 F.4 GRS .F-5 F.5 FHWA Structural Stiffness Method. F-7 F.6 K-Stiffness Method .F-8 F.7 Deep Patch .F-11 FHWA NHI-10-025 Table of Contents MSE Walls and RSS – Vol II viii November 2009
LISTOFTABLES-VolumeIITable 8-1....8-14RSS Slope Facing Options (after Collin, 1996)9-25Table 9-1.Estimated Project Costs..11-2Table 11-1.Outline of MSE/RSSField InspectionChecklist.Table 11-2.11-5Checklist forDrawingReview.Table 11-3...11-7ChecklistforSpecificationCompliance.11-30Table 11-4.Out-of-Tolerance Conditions and Possible Causes..Table 11-5..11-32ChecklistforConstruction..Table 11-6.11-38Possible Instruments for Monitoring Reinforced Soil Structures.FHWA NHI-10-025TableofContentsMSEWallsandRSS-VolIIixNovember2009
LIST OF TABLES – Volume II Table 8-1. RSS Slope Facing Options (after Collin, 1996). 8-14 Table 9-1. Estimated Project Costs. . 9-25 Table 11-1. Outline of MSE/RSS Field Inspection Checklist. . 11-2 Table 11-2. Checklist for Drawing Review. 11-5 Table 11-3. Checklist for Specification Compliance. . 11-7 Table 11-4. Out-of-Tolerance Conditions and Possible Causes. 11-30 Table 11-5. Checklist for Construction. . 11-32 Table 11-6. Possible Instruments for Monitoring Reinforced Soil Structures. . 11-38 FHWA NHI-10-025 Table of Contents MSE Walls and RSS – Vol II ix November 2009