Bringing Art to MSE Walls: Reinforced Earth as a Canvas
Reinforced Earth Canvas Walls Art has the power to transform public spaces and bring communities together. Over the years, several talented artists have used Reinforced Earth walls as a canvas to create stunning murals. These masterpieces have not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of our walls but have also [...]
Drainage and Pile Obstructions Behind Retaining Walls
Two common types of obstructions we see behind a retaining wall face are site drainage structures and bridge abutment piles. The presence of - and loading from - these obstructions within the select fill volume of a retaining wall can present challenges for retaining wall designers and installers. However, [...]
Accommodating Foundation Soil Settlement with Retaining Walls
MSE walls and other precast concrete retaining walls can accommodate foundation soil settlement in a variety of ways, depending on several factors, including: Subsurface or foundation soil type Retaining wall type and materials Retaining wall height and length Construction schedule When carefully planned for and designed, flexible retaining wall [...]
Reinforced Earth Construction Quick Guide
MSE Retaining Wall Construction Guide Note: This is an abbreviated guide to constructing a Reinforced Earth® MSE retaining wall with precast concrete facing panels. Refer to our construction manuals for complete procedure, handling of materials and recommended safety precautions. Preparing the bottom course of panels: Form and pour leveling pad. Set [...]
Building Retaining Walls on a Curve
Retaining walls that use precast concrete modular facing – such as Reinforced Earth®, T-Wall®, and TechWall™ – can accommodate curved and spiraled horizontal alignments with a radius of less than 30 feet. Small radii are commonly used for pedestrian bridge and trail applications. The individual facing panels are not curved, but the curvature of the wall is [...]
Facts About Stray Currents in MSE Walls
Stray Currents from Commuter Rail Systems are not a Concern for MSE Walls with Discrete Steel Soil Reinforcement What are stray currents? Stray currents can develop around electrified railway tracks powered by direct current. The rails serve as conductors for the return of current from [...]
Method of Galvanizing MSE Wall Soil Reinforcements
How Important is the Method of Galvanizing to Service Life? The service life of an MSE structure depends on the select backfill environment and the method of galvanizing the soil reinforcements. As per the AASHTO LRFD Specifications, metallic soil reinforcement and connection hardware shall be [...]
Electrochemical Tests for MSE Select Backfill
Electrochemical Tests for MSE Select Backfill In addition to measuring strength properties for MSE wall select backfill, electrochemical tests must be performed to determine the soil’s corrosivity when using steel soil reinforcements. The AASHTO design model for MSE wall soil reinforcements is based on sacrificial [...]
