4 ft soldier beam and lagging wall

[girliedeveloper]

Perhaps someone can help me with this: I need to build a 4 foot retaining wall that, due to the instability of the soil being retained, I have been advised to use a soldier beam and lagging system. For a four foot wall I was told I do not "need" engineering however I was wondering if their were advised specifications? I was planning on using a
w8 x 13 I-beam and 2 x 12 pressure treated lagging back filled with drain rock. Will these materials do the job for what I need it for? Thanks for the advice....

Girliedeveloper

 

[jdonville]

girlie,

Although your retention height is not terribly large, your wall should probably be engineered as cantilevered wall, if you are set on using shoring, as opposed to merely sloping the dirt. The lateral forces on the wall will depend on the strength of the material being retained, the strength of the material at the toe, and the overall geometry.

Could you let us know how long the wall is and provide information on the material (soils) and geometry?

Jeff

 

[girliedeveloper]

Hi Jeff!

Thanks for the response! In answer to your questions, the specifics of the job are as follows:

The entire section to be retained is approx 40' long on the lowest side and 60' long on its highest side by 25'high. We are proposing to build a set of 3 walls. The first wall at the foot will be 40'long x 4' high wall, the second wall will be set back approx 15', will be approx 20' long set at an angle and cut back to approx a 2:1 slope. The top tier will be set back another 15'approx, will be 60' long. The geometry of the hill is approx 40 percent slope. We were anticipating using w8 x 13 I beams at 6' intervals and burying them 6' (1.5 x's the size of the wall) in a concrete pier 18'' in diameter. (The material is DG that the piers will be going into)

Thanks for your time, Jeff!
Edie

 

[bridgebuster]

Try these links. The FHWA one is more comprehensive.

https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/...ces/technical-services-repository/gdp11r2.pdf

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/geotech/library_arc.cfm?pub_number=55

 

[DRC1]

Generally soldier beam and lagging is not very economical for such a low height. I would look at a Versalock type system or large concrete block - some of which now have decorative finishes.

 

[structurebeton]

Yes, keystone type (segmental) would be much more economical (approx. 15-18 $/sq.ft. of face of wall)

 

[girliedeveloper]

Engineering has already been done for the soldier beam and lagging wall. I am looking for a geotech (must be in California) and preferably from my area (Sierra Foothills) or circa Sacramento to hire for resolution regariding the issues we are having. (530)432-3353. Ask for John. He is the head hauncho and the most informed of the details of our trials.

Sincerely,
Edie