Standard Practice for Construction of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls with Inextensible Soil Reinforcement

Abstract

4.1 Mechanically stabilized earth walls (MSEW) are engineered earth retaining structures comprised of pre-fabricated wall facing elements and engineered backfill that is reinforced with inextensible steel elements. The complete system consists of the original ground, concrete leveling pads, wall facing panels, coping, soil reinforcement, and engineered backfill. A MSEW is typically subjected to earth loads and surface loads (surcharges). The MSEW relies on self-weight and friction to resist the destabilizing earth forces acting at the back of the reinforced soil zone. They are used frequently in transportation-related civil engineering applications. Fig. 1 shows a cross section of a typical panel faced MSEW, and Fig. 2 shows the components. Fig. 3 shows a cross section of a typical wire faced MSEW cross section, and Fig. 4 shows the components. FIG. 1 Typical Panel Faced MSEW Cross Section FIG. 2 Components of Typical Panel Faced MSEW FIG. 3 Typical Wire Faced MSEW Cross Section FIG. 4 Components of Typical Wire Faced MSEW