Soil Nail

[SiPaul]

I don't have much experience with soil nail walls. An engineer has proposed using one along an entrance ramp embankment. The wall will exceed 10' at some points and will also be part of a storm water management pond. My biggest concerns are seepage from the pond and the structural stability of the wall.

Anyone with experience with these walls?

 

[pmkPE]

It appears to me that the soil nails will be into the access ramp embankment and that the water will be on the opposite face of the wall from the nails? Is this correct? Have you or the other engineer discussed the concept with a geotechnical engineer knowledgeable with the site and design concept?

 

[SiPaul]

You are correct. The way it is planned the soil nails will extend underneath the roadway for the ramp. The pond will be against the face of the wall. the site engineer cut back the embankment to gain capacity for the pond. They have assured me that the soil nail is possible but have left the design for the after the contract is awarded.

This makes me a bit nervous.

 

[PSlem]

My only concern would be water getting behind the shotcrete and freezing. If you are in a northern climate and the pond elevation will very, shotcrete may not fare well.

Engineering is the art of not constructing...of doing that well with one dollar what any bungler can do well with two after a fashion.

 

[pmkPE]

SiPaul,
Begin investigating the design for soil nails - either find reference material in your office or on the web and look for the geotechnical parameters that are needed for their design. Then provide your firm's project manager with a list of parameters that a geotechnical consulting/lab would need to provide for adequate design. Then its up to your PM to write to the client (and/or the geotech) to have the geotech provide the necessary data. The ball is now out of your court - wait for "its" return and don't sweat it.