Design and Construction Guidelines for MSE Walls with Independent Full-HeightFacing Panels

摘要

In 1996, the Colorado DOT completed the construction of a unique mechanicallystabilized earth (MSE) wall with an independent full-height facing (IFF) for the ramp connecting northbound Interstate-25 to Interstate-70 in Denver, Colorado. The new MSE/IFF wall has four major components: (1) a self-stable welded wire fabric (WWF) reinforced soil mass, (2) full-height concrete facing panels not attached to the soil reinforcements (i.e., independent) that are allowed to tilt around their base, (3) flexible face anchors to provide for attachment of facing panels to the reinforced soil mass and accommodate movements of the wall system, and (4) a trench with flowfill to brace the panels during construction only (before the face anchors are placed). Since this MSE wall system is the first of its kind, it was considered experimental and a comprehensive instrumentation and monitoring program was performed. The main objective of this study was to upgrade the I-25/I-70 MSE/IFF wall that would improve performance and save money and time. This report provides insight into material, construction, construction problems and corrective actions, monitoring, performance and design assessment of the I-25/I-70 MSE/IFF wall. The wall system performed as intended in the design.