large compression ring as retaining wall

[aeoliantexan]

A water storage basin about 50 feet deep and 600 feet across must penetrate 20 feet into clay shale that is subject to progressive slope failure. A cylindrical retaining wall 20 feet high and 500 feet in diameter, or perhaps elliptical 500 by 600 feet across, has been proposed to retain the lower part of the excavation. The upper soil is clay alluvium and will be sloped 3H:1V and paved.

The wall is to be self-supporting, as a compression ring.

Are there any known precedents for a compression structure this size?

Any comments or cautions?

 

[BigH]

Oh yes - I remember back in the late 70s, a big excavation was dug in the Buffalo area using cylindrical rings as support. I apologise in that, while I am sure to have the article in storage - storage is 9500km away.

 

[oldestguy]

In 1958 or so an elliptical compression ring was built at the Niagara Falls airport surrounding a proposed prestressed pavement slab, with approximate measurements of 100 x 200 ft. two way reinforcement.

My former boss (B.K. Hough) at the time cooperated with Lev Zetlin, structural engineer on this,with the idea to prestress a large pavement section. This was an experiment only.

Somehow they also built a dike around the slab and secured timbers on the perimeter of the slab to make it into a "boat". Then the area was flooded making the boat float to remove all drag underneath.

Not sure what the compression ring was made of, but once the "boat" floated, you could move it by hand, I assume after the strands were cut. My memory only says it was made of precast concrete units.