SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

Recent Central Texas MSE Wall Failures: Strategies and Solutions for RepairRyan Eaves, P.E.TxDOT Bridge DivisionGeotechnical Branch

SWGEC 2021

June 22, 2021

SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

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I-35

SH 45

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION

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456’

21’

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION

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SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

Pavement Distress (Feb. 2016)

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Pavement Distress (Feb. 2016)

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Drainage Pipe Inspection

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Soil Boring/Monitoring

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Piezometer

Piezometer

Inclinometer

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Soil Boring/Monitoring

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Piezometer Monitoring

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Inclinometer Monitoring

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Temporary Stabilization (Block Surface)

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Temporary Stabilization (Block Surface)

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Temporary Stabilization (Sep. 2016)

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Shift traffic

Lanes on MSEW closed

CTB for temp. stabilization

Seal pavement crack

Monitor local slope stability and pavement distress

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Drilled Shaft RW – Final Design

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Drilled Shaft RW – Final Design

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Drilled Shaft RW – Final Design

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Drilled Shaft RW – Final Design

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42in DS @ 6’ spacing Precast Panel Facing RW Underdrain and Horizontal drain

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Drilled Shaft RW – Final Design

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Drilled Shaft RW – Construction (Dec. 2016)

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Drilled Shaft RW – Construction

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Drilled Shaft RW – Construction

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Drilled Shaft RW – Construction

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Drilled Shaft RW – Construction

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Drilled Shaft RW – Construction

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Drilled Shaft RW (June 2017)

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IH-35 SB Mainlanes in West, TX

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Retaining Wall Layout

32’ Maximum Height

1303’ Length

280’ Failure Width

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SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

May 14 – Initial Failure Symptoms

2’ – 3’ feet of settlement at the rail

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SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

May 14 – Initial Failure Symptoms

4” Joint opening

Circular Failure Cracking

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SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

May 14 – Initial Failure Symptoms

Cracking behind the rail near back of reinforced zone

Improper Drainage

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May 17 – Progression and Placement of Temporary Buttress

Additional Settlement and Movement at Wall Face

Placement of Low Profile Barrier

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SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

May 17 – Progression and Placement of Temporary Buttress

6’ – 10’ Settlement at the Rail

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SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

Repair Options

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Remove and Replace

Tieback Anchors

Stabilization Berm

Drilled Shaft Wall

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Design Considerations

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Sliding Check Controlled Design

Deflection Limit Controlled Drilled Shaft Size and Spacing

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June 4th – 100% Plans Complete

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50’ Drilled Shaft Length

30’ Long – 0.5” Thick Casing

48” Drilled Shaft at 5’ Spacing

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Wall Layout

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Hitting a Moving Target

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Layout June 4th – 17’ Offset from wall face

Layout June 17th – 17’ to 22’ Offset from wall face

SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

Construction

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Construction

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SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

Lessons Learned

Ensure proper drainage above and below wall

Drilled shaft installation slowed down the failure significantly

Shaft installation was wet, indicating that water was conveyed through the failure surface

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SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

US-290 Frontage Road – Austin, TX

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SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

Retaining Wall Geometry

Excavation in front of wall results in loss of backfill material

Failure Centralized around Panel Columns 16-18

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Failure Investigation

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Failure Investigation

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Behind the wall Face

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Void Extends 16’ behind wall face

Reinforcement Length is 22’

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Failure Progression

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Repair Options

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~20’ deep excavation 6’ in front of the wall

Need to address Failed Foundation material.

– Extends minimum 10’ behind the face of the wall

Need to remove trench box and recompact material in front of wall

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Temporary Shoring Considerations

Need to avoid conflict with existing reinforcement to remain

Need to encompass the full failed zone

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Isometric View

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Foundation Improvement

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Design Considerations

Additional Drilled shafts to shore cut in front of the wall

Provide additional stability for intermediate construction stages

Permanent Casing to provide additional stiffness

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Stability Analysis

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Failure Progression

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Failure Progression

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Construction

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TSS – Soldier Pile Lagging with closely spaced piles

Drill through the existing cement stabilized backfill ground improvement

SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

Lessons Learned So Far

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Many unknowns, field adjustments may be necessary

– Limits of failed foundation material

– Limits of the void

– Condition of existing reinforcements

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QUESTIONS:

Ryan Eaves, P.E.TxDOT Bridge Division – Geotechnical Branch

Ryan.Eaves@txdot.gov

SWGEC 2021 June 22, 2021

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