DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF FABRIC-REINFORCED EMBANKMENT TEST SECTION AT PINTO PASS, MOBILE ALABAMA

A 244-m (800-ft) long sand embankment test section was successfully constructed on a very soft foundation at mobile, Alabama, to verify the concept that a geotechnical fabric can be used as tensile rinforcement and to gain the experience needed to construct an additional 1280 m (4200 ft) of embankment. Based on expected behavior, criteria for fabric selection and special construction sequences were developed. Instrumentation was installed in the test section to evaluate embankment, fabric, and foundation behavior. Construction was accomplished by low-ground- pressure dozers. Conventional dump trucks were used to haul the embankment fill. Several different-fabric-placement schemes were evaluated. The embankment was constructed to design elevation without failure and, despite foundation pore-pressure levels that exceeded the height of the embankment, the bearing displacements and consolidation settlements were relatively small. The concept was found to be a technically feasible, operationally practical, and cost-effective method for rapid construction of embankments at locations where an unreinforced embankment would fail. (Author)

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1980/749/749-006.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/03090305905
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Embankments and Earth Slopes. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Haliburton, T Allan
  • Fowler, Jack
  • Langan, J Patrick
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 27-34
• Monograph Title: Embankment Stabilization and Soil Mechanics
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 749
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bearings; Consolidations; Construction; Construction equipment; Construction management; Cost effectiveness; Design; Dislocation (Geology); Embankments; Fabrics; Foundation soils; Material reinforcement; Pore pressure; Settlement (Structures); Soft soils; Test sections
• Geographic Terms: Mobile (Alabama)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00319353
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 03090305905
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Dec 30 1980 12:00AM