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INSTRUCTOR: 
Naresh Samtani, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE

Purpose and Background

Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls are used extensively for grade-separation fill structures in many applications, e.g., highways, railways, marine, commercial, etc. To avoid adverse performance issues, design processes for an MSE wall must be tailored to specific geometry and the environment (conditions) expected over its specified lifetime. This workshop is geared towards development of a better understanding of design procedures using principles of limit states to ensure safe and serviceable MSE wall structures over specified lifetimes. More specifically, this workshop is based on the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) methodology that is a North American version of the broader Limit State Design (LSD) approach. The design principles will be explained using wall geometries with level and sloped backfill configurations. The topic of complex geometries will be introduced. The presentation ends with a brief introduction to the design philosophy for the new MSE-LASR technology that permits consideration of Local Available Sustainable Resources (LASR), i.e., non-select or marginal fills. Latest provisions included in documents by American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will be referenced as appropriate.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Benefits

• Become familiar with the latest limit state design approaches and standards
• Avoid common pitfalls and costly errors in analysis and design
• Be able to categorize and streamline limit state evaluation
• Recognize the importance of considering serviceability as part of overall design process
• Contrast the traditional MSE and new MSE-LASR technology

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the terminology and basics of design principles for MSE walls using concepts of limit states and Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) approach
• Identify and apply appropriate load and resistance factors
• Recognize design considerations for surcharges
• Evaluate external stability
• Recognize the soil-reinforcement and other interactions within the MSE mass
• Explain concepts of internal stability analysis
• Examine overall and compound stability
• Recognize the importance of considering serviceability as part of overall design process
• Contrast the MSE and MSE-LASR technologies

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and/or fill in the blank questions).

Who Should Attend?

• Geotechnical, structural, architectural, and general civil engineering
• Grade separation fill earth structures
• Geotechnical and structural specialists
• General civil engineering specialists
• Architects
• MSE wall vendors
• Agencies/owners
• General Contractors

Outline

Using a collaborative and interactive learning approach, this virtual workshop will help you understand the design principles for MSE walls. You will learn newer design approaches based on the LRFD platform that is the basis for documents for MSE walls by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The workshop will help you assimilate the design principles through active participation by frequent interactions throughout the workshop and real-time expert feedback. The interactions will facilitate a better understanding of the nuances of the newer design principles which would help you avoid costly design errors in real-world projects. In between the two live sessions, attendees will independently work on an application (e.g., exercises) or a reflection (e.g., reading) assignment.

Session 1

• Introductions
• Terminology and forces for MSE Walls
• Limit states and resistance factors
• Applicable loads and load factors
• Consideration of surcharges
• External stability (Strength and Service)
• Interactions within the MSE mass
• Review of Session 1
• Interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session
• Assignment of classwork
• Adjourn

Session 2

• Roadmap for Session 2
• Review of classwork assignments
• Recap of Session 1
• Internal stability (Strength)
• Extreme Event limit states (scour, earthquake, and vehicle impact)
• Introduction to complex MSE structures
• Introduction to the design philosophy for MSE-LASR technology
• References
• Review of Session 2 and full workshop
• Interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session
• Adjourn

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs

This course is worth .4 CEUs /4 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 30 days of the course.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]