U. S. Department of TransportationPublicationNo.FHWA-NHI-10-024FederalHighwayAdministrationFHWA GEC 011-VolumeINovember2009NHI Courses No. 132042 and 132043Design and Construction ofMechanically Stabilized Earth Wallsand Reinforced Soil Slopes - Volume IDevelopedfollowing:AASHTOLRFDBridgeDesignandAASHTOLRFDBridgeConstructionSpecifications, 4hEdition,2007,Specifications, 2ndEdition,2004, withwith 2008 and 2009 Interims.2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 Interims.NHiNATIONALHIGHWAYINSTITUTE
U. S. Department of Transportation Publication No. FHWA-NHI-10-024 Federal Highway Administration FHWA GEC 011 – Volume I November 2009 NHI Courses No. 132042 and 132043 Design and Construction of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls and Reinforced Soil Slopes – Volume I Developed following: AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design and AASHTO LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications, 4th Edition, 2007, Specifications, 2nd Edition, 2004, with with 2008 and 2009 Interims. 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 Interims
TechnicalReportDocumentationPage1.REPORT NO.2. GOVERNMENT3.RECIPIENTS CATALOG NOACCESSIONNO.FHWA-NHI-10-024FHWA GEC 011-Vol I4.TITLEANDSUBTITLE5.REPORTDATENovember2009Design of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls6.PERFORMINGORGANIZATIONCODEandReinforcedSoil Slopes-VolumeI7.AUTHOR(S)8.PERFORMINGORGANIZATIONREPORTNO.Ryan R. Berg, P.E.; Barry R. Christopher.Ph.D., P.E. and Naresh C. Samtani, Ph.D.P.E9.PERFORMINGORGANIZATIONNAMEANDADDRESS10.WORKUNITNORyan R.Berg & Associates, Inc.11.CONTRACTORGRANTNO2190 Leyland AlcoveDTFH61-06-D-00019/T-06-001Woodbury,MN5512512. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS13.TYPEOFREPORT&PERIODCOVEREDNationalHighwayInstituteFederal Highway Administration14.SPONSORINGAGENCYCODEU.S.Department of TransportationWashington, D.C.15.SUPPLEMENTARYNOTESFHWA Technical Consultants: Rich Barrows, P.E., Silas Nichols, P.E., and Daniel Alzamora, P.E.TechnicalConsultant:JamesG.Collin,Ph.D.,P.E16.ABSTRACTThis manual is the reference text used for the FHWA NHI courses No. 132042 and 132043onMechanicallyStabilizedEarthWallsandReinforcedSoilSlopesandreflectscurrentpracticeforthedesign,constructionandmonitoringofthesestructures.Thismanualwasprepared to enable the engineer to identify and evaluate potential applications of MSE wallsand RsS as an alternative to other construction methods and as a means to solve constructionproblems.The scope is sufficientlybroad to beof valuefor specifications specialists,construction andcontractingpersonnel responsibleforconstruction inspection,developmentof material specifications and contracting methods. With the aid of this text, the engineershould be able to properly select, design, specify, monitor and contract for the construction ofMSEwallsandRSSembankments.The MSE wall design within this manual is based upon Load and Resistance Factor Design(LRFD) procedures. This manual is a revision (to LRFD) and an update to the FHWA NHI-00-043manual (which was based upon allowable stress design (ASD)procedures)17.KEYWORDS18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENTDesign, Load and Resistance Factor DesignNorestrictions(LRFD), analysis,performancecriteria,Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE)Walls,Reinforced Soil Slopes(RSS),soilreinforcement,geosynthetics,specifications,contractingmethods19. SECURITY CLASSIF20.SECURITY CLASSIF21.NO.OF PAGES22Unclassified306Unclassified
Technical Report Documentation Page 1. REPORT NO. 2. GOVERNMENT 3. RECIPIENT'S CATALOG NO. ACCESSION NO. FHWA-NHI-10-024 FHWA GEC 011-Vol I 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. REPORT DATE November 2009 Design of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls and Reinforced Soil Slopes – Volume I 6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE 7. AUTHOR(S) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO. Ryan R. Berg, P.E.; Barry R. Christopher, Ph.D., P.E. and Naresh C. Samtani, Ph.D., P.E. 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. WORK UNIT NO. Ryan R. Berg & Associates, Inc. 11. CONTRACT OR GRANT NO. 2190 Leyland Alcove DTFH61-06-D-00019/T-06-001 Woodbury, MN 55125 12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS 13. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED National Highway Institute Federal Highway Administration 14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE U.S. Department of Transportation Washington, D.C. 15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES FHWA Technical Consultants: Rich Barrows, P.E., Silas Nichols, P.E., and Daniel Alzamora, P.E. Technical Consultant: James G. Collin, Ph.D., P.E. 16. ABSTRACT This manual is the reference text used for the FHWA NHI courses No. 132042 and 132043 on Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls and Reinforced Soil Slopes and reflects current practice for the design, construction and monitoring of these structures. This manual was prepared to enable the engineer to identify and evaluate potential applications of MSE walls and RSS as an alternative to other construction methods and as a means to solve construction problems. The scope is sufficiently broad to be of value for specifications specialists, construction and contracting personnel responsible for construction inspection, development of material specifications and contracting methods. With the aid of this text, the engineer should be able to properly select, design, specify, monitor and contract for the construction of MSE walls and RSS embankments. The MSE wall design within this manual is based upon Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) procedures. This manual is a revision (to LRFD) and an update to the FHWA NHI- 00-043 manual (which was based upon allowable stress design (ASD) procedures). 17. KEY WORDS 18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT Design, Load and Resistance Factor Design No restrictions. (LRFD), analysis, performance criteria, Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls, Reinforced Soil Slopes (RSS), soil reinforcement, geosynthetics, specifications, contracting methods 19. SECURITY CLASSIF. 20. SECURITY CLASSIF. 21. NO. OF PAGES 22 Unclassified Unclassified 306
SICONVERSIONFACTORSAPPROXIMATECONVERSIONSFROMSIUNITSSymbolMultiply ByTo FindSymbolWhen You KnowLENGTH0.039inmmmillimetersinchesft3.28feetmmeters1.09yardsydmmeterskm0.621mikilometersmilesAREAin?mm?0.0016squaremillimeterssquare inchesft2m?10.764square feetsquare metersm?yd?1.195square yardssquare metersha2.47hectaresacacreskm?mi?0.386square kilometerssquaremilesVOLUMEmlfl oz0.034fluid ouncesmillimeters1galliters0.264gallonsm3ft335.71cubic meterscubic feetm3yd'1.307cubic yardscubic metersMASS0.035ggramsozounces1bkg2.202kilogramspoundsTEMPERATURE°℃°F1.8 C + 32CelsiusFahrenheitWEIGHTDENSITYkN/m36.36pcfkilonewton/cubicmpoundforce/cubicfootFORCEandPRESSUREorSTRESSN0.2251bfpoundforcenewtonskN2251bf kilonewtonspoundforcekPa0.145psikilopascalspoundforce / sq in.kPa20.9psfkilopascalspoundforce / sq ft
SI CONVERSION FACTORS APPROXIMATE CONVERSIONS FROM SI UNITS Symbol When You Know Multiply By To Find Symbol LENGTH mm m m km millimeters meters meters kilometers 0.039 3.28 1.09 0.621 inches feet yards miles in ft yd mi AREA mm2 m2 m2 ha km2 square millimeters square meters square meters hectares square kilometers 0.0016 10.764 1.195 2.47 0.386 square inches square feet square yards acres square miles in2 ft2 yd2 ac mi2 VOLUME ml l m3 m3 millimeters liters cubic meters cubic meters 0.034 0.264 35.71 1.307 fluid ounces gallons cubic feet cubic yards fl oz gal ft3 yd3 MASS g kg grams kilograms 0.035 2.202 ounces pounds oz lb TEMPERATURE °C Celsius 1.8 C + 32 Fahrenheit °F kN/m3 WEIGHT DENSITY kilonewton / cubic m 6.36 poundforce / cubic foot pcf FORCE and PRESSURE or STRESS N kN kPa kPa newtons kilonewtons kilopascals kilopascals 0.225 225 0.145 20.9 poundforce poundforce poundforce / sq in. poundforce / sq ft lbf lbf psi psf
PREFACEEngineers and specialty material suppliers have been designing reinforced soil structures forthe past 35 years. Currently,many state DOTs are transitioning their design of substructuresfrom Allowable Stress Design (ASD) to Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD)procedures.This manual is based upon LRFD for MSE wall structures. It has been updated from the2001FHWANHI-00-043manual.In addition to revision of thewall design toLRFDprocedures, expanded discussion on wall detailing and general updates throughout themanual are provided.The primary purpose of this manual is to support educational programsconductedbyFHWAfortransportationagencies.A second purpose of equal importance is to serve as the FHWA standard reference forhighway projects involving MSE wall and reinforced soil structures.This Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls (MSE) and Reinforced Soil Slopes (RSS),Designand Construction Guidelines Manual which is an update of the current FHWA NHI-00-043,has evolved from the following AASHTO and FHWA references:AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 4th Edition, 2007, with 2008 and 2009InterimRevisions.Earth Retaining Structures, by B.F. Tanyu, P.J. Sabatini, and R.R. Berg, FHWA-NHI-07-071 (2008).AASHTO LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications, 2nd Edition, 2004, with 2006Interim Revisions.Geosynthetic Design and Construction Guidelines, by R.D.Holtz, B.R. Christopher, andR.R. Berg, FHWA HI-07-092 (2008).Guidelines for Design, Specification, and Contracting of Geosynthetic MechanicallyStabilized Earth Slopes onFirmFoundations,byR.R.Berg,FHWA-SA-93-025,January1993.Reinforced Soil Structures - Volume I, Design and Construction Guidelines - Volume II,Summary of Research and Systems Information, by B.R.Christopher,S.A.Gill, J.P.Giroud, J.K.Mitchell,F.Schlosser, and J.Dunnicliff, FHWARD 89-043 (1990)· Design and Construction Monitoring of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Structures, byJ.A.DiMaggio, FHWA, (1994)AASHTO Bridge T-15 Technical Committee unpublished working drafts for the updateof Section11.0of theAASHTOLRFDBridgeDesign Specifications.FHWA NHI-10-024iiiMSE Walls and RSS - VolINovember2009
PREFACE Engineers and specialty material suppliers have been designing reinforced soil structures for the past 35 years. Currently, many state DOTs are transitioning their design of substructures from Allowable Stress Design (ASD) to Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) procedures. This manual is based upon LRFD for MSE wall structures. It has been updated from the 2001 FHWA NHI-00-043 manual. In addition to revision of the wall design to LRFD procedures, expanded discussion on wall detailing and general updates throughout the manual are provided. The primary purpose of this manual is to support educational programs conducted by FHWA for transportation agencies. A second purpose of equal importance is to serve as the FHWA standard reference for highway projects involving MSE wall and reinforced soil structures. This Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls (MSE) and Reinforced Soil Slopes (RSS), Design and Construction Guidelines Manual which is an update of the current FHWA NHI-00-043, has evolved from the following AASHTO and FHWA references: C AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 4th Edition, 2007, with 2008 and 2009 Interim Revisions. C Earth Retaining Structures, by B.F. Tanyu, P.J. Sabatini, and R.R. Berg, FHWA-NHI-07- 071 (2008). C AASHTO LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications, 2nd Edition, 2004, with 2006 Interim Revisions. C Geosynthetic Design and Construction Guidelines, by R.D. Holtz, B.R. Christopher, and R.R. Berg, FHWA HI-07-092 (2008). C Guidelines for Design, Specification, and Contracting of Geosynthetic Mechanically Stabilized Earth Slopes on Firm Foundations, by R.R. Berg, FHWA-SA-93-025, January 1993. C Reinforced Soil Structures - Volume I, Design and Construction Guidelines - Volume II, Summary of Research and Systems Information, by B.R. Christopher, S.A. Gill, J.P. Giroud, J.K. Mitchell, F. Schlosser, and J. Dunnicliff, FHWA RD 89-043 (1990). C Design and Construction Monitoring of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Structures, by J.A. DiMaggio, FHWA, (1994). C AASHTO Bridge T-15 Technical Committee unpublished working drafts for the update of Section 11.0 of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. FHWA NHI-10-024 MSE Walls and RSS – Vol I iii November 2009
The authors recognize the efforts and contributions of Messrs. Richard Barrows, P.E., SilasNichols, P.E., and Daniel Alzamora P.E, who were the FHWA Technical Consultants for thiswork.The authors also recognize the contributions of the other Technical Consultants onthisproject.Theyare:·Tony Allen, P.E. of Washington DOT:Christopher Benda, P.E. of Vermont DOT·James Brennan, P.E.of Kansas DOT.James Collin, Ph.D., P.E. of The Collin Group:JerryDiMaggio, P.E.oftheNational Academy of Sciences·Kenneth L.Fishman, Ph.D.,P.E.of Earth Reinforcement Testing, Inc:Kathryn Griswell, P.E. of CALTRANSJohn Guido, P.E. of Ohio DOT.Dan Johnston, P.E.of South Dakota DOT::DovLeshchinsky,Ph.D.oftheUniversityofDelawareMichael Simac, P.E. of Earth Improvement Technologies, Inc.James L.Withiam, Ph.D., P.E.of D'Appolonia Engineers.And theauthors acknowledge the contributions ofthefollowing industry associations:.Association of Metallically Stabilized Earth (AMSE).Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA)National Concrete MasonryAssociation (NCMA)·A special acknowledgement of Mr.Jerry A.DiMaggio,P.E.who was theFHWA TechnicalConsultant for most of the above referenced publications.Mr.DiMaggio's guidance andinput to this and the previous works has been invaluable.Lastly, the authors wish to acknowledge the extensive work of the late Victor Elias, P.E. forhis vital contributions and significant effort as Lead Author in preparing the earlier two(1997, 2001)versions of this manual, and as the author of the earlier companion manuals oncorrosion/degradationofsoilreinforcements.Mr.Eliaswasinstrumentalintheintroductionand implementation of reinforced soil technology in the U.S., as a Vice President for TheReinforced Earth Company from 1974 to 1985. He was instrumental in research, refinementof designmethods, and standards of practice and codes for MSEwalls, as a Consultantfrom1985until2006FHWA NHI-10-024ivMSE Walls and RSS- Vol INovember2009
The authors recognize the efforts and contributions of Messrs. Richard Barrows, P.E., Silas Nichols, P.E., and Daniel Alzamora P.E. who were the FHWA Technical Consultants for this work. The authors also recognize the contributions of the other Technical Consultants on this project. They are: C Tony Allen, P.E. of Washington DOT C Christopher Benda, P.E. of Vermont DOT C James Brennan, P.E. of Kansas DOT C James Collin, Ph.D., P.E. of The Collin Group C Jerry DiMaggio, P.E. of the National Academy of Sciences C Kenneth L. Fishman, Ph.D., P.E. of Earth Reinforcement Testing, Inc. C Kathryn Griswell, P.E. of CALTRANS C John Guido, P.E. of Ohio DOT C Dan Johnston, P.E. of South Dakota DOT C Dov Leshchinsky, Ph.D. of the University of Delaware C Michael Simac, P.E. of Earth Improvement Technologies, Inc. C James L. Withiam, Ph.D., P.E. of D’Appolonia Engineers And the authors acknowledge the contributions of the following industry associations: C Association of Metallically Stabilized Earth (AMSE) C Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) C National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) A special acknowledgement of Mr. Jerry A. DiMaggio, P.E. who was the FHWA Technical Consultant for most of the above referenced publications. Mr. DiMaggio's guidance and input to this and the previous works has been invaluable. Lastly, the authors wish to acknowledge the extensive work of the late Victor Elias, P.E. for his vital contributions and significant effort as Lead Author in preparing the earlier two (1997, 2001) versions of this manual, and as the author of the earlier companion manuals on corrosion/degradation of soil reinforcements. Mr. Elias was instrumental in the introduction and implementation of reinforced soil technology in the U.S., as a Vice President for The Reinforced Earth Company from 1974 to 1985. He was instrumental in research, refinement of design methods, and standards of practice and codes for MSE walls, as a Consultant from 1985 until 2006. FHWA NHI-10-024 MSE Walls and RSS – Vol I iv November 2009