Bagged Fill
Bagged Fill
(OP)
Does anyone have any information on the effect of bagged fill located behind concrete grade beams/walls? An Engineer at the company I work for is telling me that with bagged fill, the active pressure from the soil on the beam/wall can essentially be neglected. I have asked for technical information to that effect but he does not have any. He is operating based on his 20 years of experience and also the fact that this type of construction is common throughout our local area and that foundation with that type of construction have not failed. I expect this type of rhetoric from contractors, but this is coming from internally. It's quite odd to me, he is asking me to design and seal designs which utilize this reduction and I am resistant since I have heard nothing in my 12 year engineering career on this (admittedly I am still young).
The detail my company uses allows up to 10'-0" deep perimeter grade beams with no footing at all. They don't even design the grade beam as a retaining type structure.
I looked online for a bit but got absolutely ZERO results, which furthers my uneasiness.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
The detail my company uses allows up to 10'-0" deep perimeter grade beams with no footing at all. They don't even design the grade beam as a retaining type structure.
I looked online for a bit but got absolutely ZERO results, which furthers my uneasiness.
Any input is greatly appreciated.





RE: Bagged Fill
The other thing I can think of is that soil pressure could still be transferred through the bags. I would imagine the bags as something like buried rocks, they reduce the active pressure but don't eliminate it entirely. Though, as the bags aren't rigid like a boulder they would absorb a fair amount of lateral load and would definitely distribute it outward.
I'm curious to see what other people say, though.
Maine EIT, Civil/Structural. Going to take the 1st part of the 16-hour SE test in April, wish me luck!
RE: Bagged Fill
If the retaining wall is not in deforming contact with the bags (if the bags are not smooshed against the wall), then the soil will exert no pressure on the wall. If the bags are smooshed against the wall, the soil will exert pressure on the wall, similar to the way free soil would although probably a bit less because of the friction of the bags, etc.
RE: Bagged Fill
testing of earth bags
http://earthbagbuilding.com/testing.htm
http://www.texaswafflemat.com/baggedfillfoundation...
RE: Bagged Fill