JMT is extremely familiar with the use of retaining walls for transportation and facility projects. Based on the project requirements, the location, length and height of retaining walls are determined. The most economical wall type for each location is identified. Wall types considered could include:- Reinforced concrete cantilever, gravity or counterfort
- Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE)
- Post and panel
- Soil nailing
In conjunction with a geotechnical investigation and analysis, the most cost-effective foundation type also will be determined. For one recent project with difficult site conditions, various unique retaining wall solutions were developed including: - Temporary MSE walls to allow phasing of maintenance of traffic while changing the profile between adjacent lanes of traffic by as much as 25 feet.
- Two-stage MSE walls using a wire-face to retain fill during consolidation of underlying soft soil layers. The second stage involved placing a concrete moment slab and parapet as well as concrete facing panels after it was determined that future settlement would be negligible.
- Reinforced concrete cantilever walls with foamed concrete backfill to minimize footing size and geofoam to minimize backfill weight due to underlying soft soil layers.
In addition to structural design services, JMT provides related expertise for slope stabilization repairs, storm drainage design, erosion and sediment control plans, and permitting. Our ultimate goal is to provide a completed wall that serves the project’s structural needs. | |
