Using New and Old Technologies for an Economical Approach to Rock Stabilization on TN I-75

摘要

The Highway & Mining industries have historically used benches as an effective technique for rockfall mitigation as described in The Transportation Research Board's "Rockfall: Characterization and Control" handbook. This paper describes how the latest advances in rockfall technology can be coupled with the older technique of benching to effectively and economically mitigate a rock slope along I-75 in Tennessee; north of Knoxville and close to the Tennessee / Kentucky border. By rehabilitating the existing benches, scaling off the loose rock in critical areas, using pinned mesh, a mesh drape, and rock bolts, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TNDOT) was successful in mitigating this near vertical rock slope that is over 200 feet high and almost two miles long. This paper will focus on the approach and design parameters utilized to develop this innovative and economical approach. In addition, this paper will explain the thought process involved, tools utilized, construction sequence, and traffic control steps needed to complete the project.