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INSTRUCTOR:
Naresh Samtani, Ph.D., P.E., BC.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, and to ensure safe and serviceable MSE walls, the fills and component details must be tailored to specific geometry and the environment (conditions) expected over its specified lifetime. To help comprehend these crucial considerations for successful implementation of MSE wall projects, the thrust of the discussions in this workshop is to: (a) establish a baseline for understanding the design and construction considerations associated with the use of geomaterials for MSE wall fills, and (b) emphasize attention to details of various components. The presentation will also include information on the new MSE-LASR technology that permits consideration of Local Available Sustainable Resources (LASR), i.e., non-select or marginal fills.
Primary Discussion Topics
Session 1
- Select fill criteria
- Index properties and criteria for identifying coarse and fine fractions
- Effect of gradation from drainage and compaction perspectives
- Effect of clay fraction (percent clay)
- Consideration of geologic origin and mineralogy
- Electrochemical properties
- Shear strength characteristics of compacted fills
- Volume change characteristics of compacted fills
- Basic mechanism of fill-reinforcement interaction
Session 2
- Top of wall elements such as copings and traffic barriers
- Bottom of wall elements such as leveling pads
- Drainage features – internal and external
- Vertical and horizontal obstructions within MSE wall reinforced zone
- Slip joints
- Wall initiations and termination details
- Curves and corners
- Suggestions for incorporating aesthetics in the context of wall tolerances
- Effect of sequence of construction
- References
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Gain knowledge on how to evaluate fills for MSE walls
- Understand the importance of good detailing for MSE walls
- Understand the importance of drainage features
- Be able to identify potential problems and mitigation measures
- Gain knowledge on how to incorporate constructability considerations in details
- Assess the factors that affect the selection of fills for MSE walls
- Identify relevant index, gradation, plasticity, and electrochemical properties
- Describe drainage, shear strength, and volume change properties
- Understand compaction processes and their applicability
- Recognize constructability considerations
- Identify the various details necessary for proper implementation of MSE walls
- Discuss example details
- Identify potential problems
- Contrast the MSE and MSE-LASR technologies
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-test 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
Workshop Outline
Using a collaborative and interactive learning approach, this virtual workshop will help you understand: (a) the fill properties and the underlying reasons for specification values for fills, and (b) good practices for details. The workshop will help you assimilate these crucial considerations 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 fill properties and details which would help you avoid costly design and construction 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 basic criteria for MSE and MSE-LASR Wall Fills
- Index, gradation, and plasticity characteristics
- Geological origin and soil classification considerations
- Electrochemical properties
- Compaction
- Shear strength and volume change characteristics
- Basic mechanism of fill-reinforcement interaction
- Review of Sesssion 1
- Interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session
- Assignment of homework
- Adjourn
Session 2
- Roadmap for Session 2
- Review of homework assignments and recap of Session 1
- Wall layout and top and bottom elements
- Drainage – internal and external details
- Obstructions, joints, initiations, terminations, curves, corners
- Special details at bridge abutments
- Aesthetics, sequence of construction, and protection of work
- Closure and 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 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]