Chapter 6:

MSE Walls Part 1

GEO102
Geotechnical Applications for
Transportation Projects

Retaining Walls

Chapter 6: MSE Walls Part 1

Types of MSE facing and soil reinforcing

materials

Modes of Failure
External and Internal Stability
Estimation of Lateral Earth Pressure
Site Evaluation
Backfill Selection Criteria

GEO102

KEY Objective
Describe different types of MSE walls
commonly used in transportation
construction and discuss potential modes
of failure

GEO102

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this lecture, the learner
will be able to
1.

Identify the key components of a mechanically

stabilized earth (MSE) wall system

2.

Describe the broad range of soil reinforcing

materials and facing systems that are available for
use in MSE wall construction

3.

Compare and contrast between internal and

external stability requirements for MSE walls
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Learning Objectives, contd.

4.

Identify site conditions that can have adverse

impact on MSE wall performance

5.

Explain the significance of backfill gradation and

corrosion potential in controlling the stability and
longevity of MSE wall systems

GEO102

References

Retaining Wall Construction and

Maintenance Recommendations

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/s
ervices/bridge/retaining_wal
ls.htm

Geotechnical Manual, Texas

Department of Transportation,
August 2006

FHWA-NHI-00-043: MSE Walls

and Reinforced Soil Slopes
Design and Guidelines
GEO102

Mechanically Stabilized Earth

(MSE) Retaining Walls

GEO102

MSE Walls

Lower cost of construction

Less design effort

Easy to construct

Fast construction speed

Good appearance

GEO102

Mechanically Stabilized Earth

(MSE) Retaining Walls

Fill Type Wall that is most widely used in

transportation applications
Finished Grade

Facing
Original Ground
Surface

Retained
Fill
Reinforced
Backfill
Soil reinforcements

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Mechanical Stabilization of Soil;

The Concept

Mechanical stabilization relies on reinforcing the soil

backfill using inclusions

In ancient times, straw, bamboo, and wire mesh have

been used to reinforce soil for use in the construction of
mud dwellings, dikes and erosion control structures

Modern methods of soil reinforcing for retaining wall

construction was pioneered by the French engineer,
Henri Vidal in 1960s

GEO102

MSE Retaining Walls; Historical

Development

Henri Vidals research led to the development of

Reinforced Earth System that uses steel strips to
reinforce soil

Reinforced Earth System; Precast concrete facing unit

(21-24ft2); Galvanized ribbed steel strips

The first retaining wall of this type in the US was built in

1972 on California State Highway 39

The use of geosynthetic products in the US for soil

reinforcement began around 1980; geogrid reinforced
modular block walls now comprise a growing portion of
the market

GEO102

MSE Walls; Types of Facing

Segmental

precast concrete panels

20-25ft2
Min

thickness, 5.5-in
Cruciform, square, hexagonal, diamond
Larger

precast concrete panels (up to

54ft2)

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Precast Concrete Panels

rectangular

cruciform

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Precast Concrete Panels

hexagonal

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MSE Walls; Architectural Finishes

GEO102

MSE Walls; Types of Facing

Dry

cast modular block wall units (MBW)

Small, squat concrete units (1 SF used in highway
applications)

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Concrete (Modular) Block Walls

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Gabion Faced Walls

Wire filled baskets

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MSE Wire Faced Walls

Wire grid bent at the

wall face
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MSE Walls; Types of Facing

Metallic Facings

Geosynthetic Facing

Original ReCo, half cylinders

Lighter; may be used where access or handling is
difficult
Geotextile r/f looped around to form facing
Geogrid used the same way; vegetation can grow
through grid

Postconstruction Facing

Shotcreting, cast-in-place concrete

GEO102

Reinforcement Material
Two

types of materials

Metallic reinforcements

Typically mild steel (galvanized / epoxy coated)

Strips; welded wire mesh

Nonmetallic reinforcement

Generally polymeric materials (polypropylene,

polyethylene or polyester)

GEO102

Mechanically Stabilized Earth

(MSE) Retaining Walls
Galvanized Steel Strips

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Reinforcement Material
Galvanized Wire Mesh

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Reinforcement Material
Galvanized Wire Mesh

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Reinforcement Material
Geogrids

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Mechanically Stabilized Earth

(MSE) Retaining Walls
Finished Grade

Facing
Retained
Fill
Original Ground
Surface
Reinforced
Earth Mass

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MSE Retaining Walls; Potential

Modes of Failure
External

Sliding
Overturning
Bearing Capacity Failure
Deep Seated Shear Failure

Internal

Stability Requirements

Stability Requirements

Reinforcement Pull-out
Reinforcement Rupture
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External Stability; Failure due

to Sliding
Finished Grade

Retained
Fill
Original Ground
Surface
Reinforced
Earth Mass

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External Stability; Failure due

to Overturning
Finished Grade

Retained
Fill
Original Ground
Surface
Reinforced
Earth Mass

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External Stability; Failure

due to Overturning
Finished Grade

Retained
Fill
Original Ground
Surface
Reinforced
Earth Mass

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External Stability; Bearing

Capacity Failure
Finished Grade

Retained
Fill
Original Ground
Surface
Reinforced
Earth Mass

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External Stability; Deep

Seated Shear Failure
Finished Grade

Retained
Fill
Original Ground
Surface
Reinforced
Earth Mass

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External Stability; Deep

Seated Shear Failure

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Internal Stability; Breakage

of Reinforcement
Finished Grade

Retained
Fill
Original Ground
Surface
Reinforced
Earth Mass

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Internal Stability; Breakage

of Reinforcement
Finished Grade

Retained
Fill

Reinforced
Earth Mass

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Internal Stability; Breakage

of Reinforcement
Sv
Sv
Sv

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Internal Stability; Pullout of

Reinforcement
Finished Grade

Retained
Fill
Original Ground
Surface
Reinforced
Earth Mass

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MSE Retaining Walls; Other

Performance Requirements
Wall

Deformation

Lateral displacement, H H/250

(inextensible reinforcement)

Vertical displacement (settlement),

V ... MSE walls with precast
concrete panels can typically
accommodate differential
settlements in the order of 1/100

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MSE Retaining Walls; Other

Performance Requirements
Corrosion

of Reinforcement

Corrosivity of backfill soil

Use of de-icing salts, marine structures

GEO102

MSE Retaining Walls; Other

Performance Requirements
Backfill

Washout

Aesthetics

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Satisfactory Performance must be

Accomplished through ..
Careful
Proper
Good

Site Evaluation
Design and Material Selection

Construction

Proper

Maintenance

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Site Evaluation
Topography

Cut, Cut/Fill or Fill

Volume of excavation needed in side-hill
situations; temporary shoring needed
Slopes in front of the wall?

Geologic

Features

Rock outcrops

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Site Evaluation
Subsurface

Soil Conditions

Weak soil conditions (low TCP blow count)?

Concerns: Bearing capacity failure/Deep seated

shear failure

Wall height <20; TCP >20 blows, then detailed

investigation not warranted

Tall walls (>20ft), weak soils, slopes in front wall

require more detailed analysis!

Compressible soils; large differential settlement!

GEO102

Site Evaluation
Site

accessibility & Available ROW

For work force and construction equipment

Existing

and Proposed Utility Lines and

Drainage Structures

Existing utility lines: realignment necessary?

Surface/Subsurface

Drainage

Surface drainage patterns

Subsurface seepage
Likelihood of inundation
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Subsurface Exploration
Program

Borings spaced on 200

foot centers for wall taller
than 10 feet

Boring spacing increased

up to 300 feet where
walls are less than 10
feet tall

Dallas District Type C

borings for fill walls are
25 feet below base of
wall or 5 feet into rock

GEO102

Example 6.1
Site Evaluation
GIVEN:
Cross-sectional profile and TCP data pertaining to site
where an MSE wall is to be built
REQD:
Evaluate the site based on data provided and
recommend appropriate course of action

GEO102

Example 6.1
Site Evaluation
EXISTING SECTION
4(6)3(6)
3(6)4(6)
5(6)5(6)
8(6)10(6)
10(6)10(6)

Clay, tan (CL)

Clay, brown (CL)
Clay, tan (CL)
Clay, brown (CL)

PROPOSED SECTION
H = 23
ORIGINAL GROUND

GEO102

TCP Data

TCP Shear
Strength

4(6)3(6)

467 psf
CL

Clay, tan (CL)

3(6)4(6)

467 psf

467 psf

Clay, brown (CL)

5(6)5(6)

667 psf
Clay, tan (CL)

8(6)10(6)

1067 psf
Clay, brown (CL)

10(6)10(6)

667 psf

1067 psf

1333 psf

GEO102

Global Stability Analysis based on TCP

Undrained Shear Strength

FS = 0.97

C = 467 psf, = 0o

C = 2000 psf,

C = 750 psf,

= 34o

= 0o

C = 667 psf, = 0o
C = 1200 psf, = 0o
Based on the analysis the wall would not be stable.

GEO102

PEAK UNDRAINED
SHEAR STRENGTH
Rotate the vane slowly
until failure occurs.
Record the applied
torque to cause failure.

Vane Shear Test

GEO102

TCP Data

4(6)3(6)

Vane Shear
Test Depth
1
Clay, tan (CL)

3(6)4(6)

Vane Shear Test Results

Test Depth
(ft)

Soil
PI
(%)

Shear
Strength
Su (raw)
(psf)

Shear
Strength
Su (actual)
(psf)

27

0.94

994

934

28

0.93

1012

941

10

20

1.00

1141

1141

13

25

0.95

1368

1300

Clay, brown (CL)

5(6)5(6)

10
Clay, tan (CL)

8(6)10(6)

13
Clay, brown (CL)

10(6)10(6)
Su(actual) = * Su (raw)
= 1 0.5 Log (PI(%)/20))

GEO102

Global Stability Analysis based on

Vane Shear Strength
FS = 1.49
C = 2000 psf,

C = 750 psf,

= 34o

= 0o
C = 934 psf, = 0o

C = 1141 psf, = 0o
C = 1300 psf, = 0o
Based on the analysis the wall would be stable.

GEO102

Material Selection
Select Backfill

GEO102

Select Backfill

The select backfill is the most important

component of an MSE wall

The required type of select backfill will be

indicated in the contract plans

The backfill must be sampled, tested and

approved prior to beginning wall construction

Sampling and testing should continue throughout

wall construction
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Select Backfill

Select backfill is checked for several properties

Gradation controls strength, drainage,

constructability

Soundness makes certain that the gradation will

remain through compaction and service life

Chemical testing controls corrosion of

galvanized steel reinforcements
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Select Backfill Gradations

Type A is the premium, coarser material for

permanent MSE walls

Type B is the default for permanent MSE

Type C is the default for temporary MSE walls,

and is not used in permanent walls

Type D is a clean rock, for use in walls that will

be flooded
GEO102

2004 Backfill Specifications

TYPE

For enhanced
performance

Default
Temporary
Walls

C
D

SIEVE SIZE

PERCENT
PASSING

3 in.

100

in.

0 50

No. 40

0 15

3 in.

100

No. 40

0 60

No. 200

0 15

3 in.

100

No. 200

0 30

3 in.

100

3/8 in.

0 - 15

Type D required for areas of wall subject to

inundation or below the 100-yr flood elevation

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MSE Select Backfill

Testing for soundness is

at the option of TxDOT

If the backfill appears to

contain shale, caliche, or
other soft particles,
request the test

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Backfill Material; Corrosion

Potential
For permanent MSE walls with galvanized metallic earth
reinforcements
Resistivity

Tex-129-E

>3000 ohm-cm

pH

Tex-128-E

>5.5 and <10

or
Resistivity

Tex-129-E

>1500 ohm-cm

Chloride

Tex-620-J

<100 ppm

Sulfate

Tex-620-J

<200 ppm

pH

Tex-128-E

>5.5 and <10

GEO102

MSE Select Backfill

Should be sampled and approved prior to the

beginning of construction

Should be sampled and tested regularly, in

accordance with Construction Contract
Administration Manual

If you see a change in the backfill, dont

hesitate to sample and test!

Remember, the select backfill is the most

important component of the MSE wall!
GEO102

Example 6.2
Backfill Selection
GIVEN:
Gradation curves for 3 candidate backfill material
sources, Source 1, Source 2 and Source 3
REQD:
Determine whether they meet requirements for Type A, B,
C or D MSE Wall select backfill
What other information would you require about each
material before you can make a final determination about
their suitability
GEO102

Example 6.2
Backfill Selection

GEO102

Chapter 6 Feedback

GEO102