Wall Construction
Wall Construction
(OP)
Hello,
I'm a Civil/Site Engineer and I'm currently dealing with the permitting process for a residential subdivision. The access road to the subdivision requires a 30-foot high retaining wall to be constructed in a cut. The soils are very course sand overlaying course gravely sand. The problem I've ran into is that I'm not sure how to generally construct this wall. How would the excavation be stabilized? Would sheeting be used? Shoring? The cons. comm. does want some sort general explanation. Any thoughts? I've attached a cross-section.
Thanks!
I'm a Civil/Site Engineer and I'm currently dealing with the permitting process for a residential subdivision. The access road to the subdivision requires a 30-foot high retaining wall to be constructed in a cut. The soils are very course sand overlaying course gravely sand. The problem I've ran into is that I'm not sure how to generally construct this wall. How would the excavation be stabilized? Would sheeting be used? Shoring? The cons. comm. does want some sort general explanation. Any thoughts? I've attached a cross-section.
Thanks!





RE: Wall Construction
The first idea that came to my mind is to overexcavate behind the wall then fill it in and compact as you build the wall.
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It usually doesn't make sense to build a top-down wall only to place a bottom-up one in front of it. As others mentioned above, soldier beam and lagging or soil nail walls can be used for permanent applications.
As for price, it will vary greatly depending on the size of the job, subsurface conditions, access, location, and whether union or open shop labor is used. It may end up being a little cheaper than cvg's $50/sf. It may end up being a whole lot more...
RE: Wall Construction
No expert here. But I will try to help.
Has the block wall "system" been designed yet? If so you should have strap length and locations of lengths for a given height of wall (hW). This will give you the actual work excav. limits required to construct the wall. And maybe this has been done and your sections are to scale.
I think you are going to need some geotechnical data on the soils of your cut.
I would use the sheet pile, make the cut, then build the wall, place fill in area between proposed top of wall and behind sheet face, place top soil and establish good vegetative in this area, remove the sheets.
RE: Wall Construction
Call Moretrench in Assonet, MA and Schnabel Foundation Company in Southborough, MA. They may be local and can give you design-build proposals for a permanently tiedback or soil nailed wall.
RE: Wall Construction
That's a pretty high wall for one to design if he has not done that much before. I'd let someone else take responsibility for it, specifically an experienced contractor
Sometimes for public type work you might just bid the idea with the final result specified as to the wall dimensions and location. Then, require the contractor to design and build it at his fixed price with a guarantee as to structurally capability. That way you don't design or take responsibility for it, since that is not your expertise. Of course require the designer to be fully licensed,etc.
The types of firms mentioned above are the kind you should use with provided evidence of past similar work. This way you get the wall you want at lowest cost.
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If LC06 let us know where this project is, many of us here could get him in touch with the right people in his area....
RE: Wall Construction
if I were the owner, there would be a Mech Stab Earth wall (like you see on highway projects) the block wall (my opinion only) is only for 6-7 foot heights.
I have seen others build them 30 ft high. I would not. Several potential issues. $$$$$, maint., closely monitoring.
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Bear in mind that if you are cutting close the property line, the availability of a construction easement may allow for greater options in the contractor's approach.
f-d
¡papá gordo ain't no madre flaca!
RE: Wall Construction
As I said before, call Moretrench and/or Schnabel for a design build proposal.
Also, "high strength tie backs to increase spacing & reduce # of piles" does not reduce the safety factor. This statement is more likely to indicate limited tiedback wall experience from anyone who believes the statement.
RE: Wall Construction
Also, the necessity for tiebacks isn't what determines whether you use sheets or beams.
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born2drill, did you work for SFC or Moretrench? Which office and when?
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Why build two high walls when you can build just one?
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PEinc - I used to work for Moretrench in NJ up until about '05.
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Then I probably know you. What retaining wall projects were you on?
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Bank Street Commons, Bronx Criminal Courthouse, PA Rt 309, The Siena in Montclair, NJ to name a few. Sound familiar?
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I work with Andy P now. Does that get you there?
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Now, don't you be spying on me in these forums!