EARTH WALLS

The history and evolution of earth walls is briefly reviewed, current reinforcement systems for earth walls are considered, and applications in transportation are described. Design, construction and cost considerations are also discussed. Earth reinforcement systems are extensively used in transportation projects, particularly as retaining walls and bridge abutments where they compete favorably, economically and aesthetically, with reinforced concrete. The design criteria governing earth walls are noted. The design itself must ensure against failure of reinforcements in tension, pull-out of reinforcements, and loss of reinforcements by deterioration. Knowledge of soil-reinforcement interactions is required. Analytical, numerical, model, and full-scale field experiments have provided information for basing the design parameters. A generally accepted method for the seismic design of earth walls has not been developed. Reinforcement durability is also an area of concern. Galvanized steel and non-metallic reinforcing materials (geotextiles, fiberglass, plastics, composites) are being used today. The construction of earth walls is simple. The cost of materials and construction for walls 10-15 feet high is about $15 per square foot. The rapid development and growing importance of this field has been recognized at the federal level.

• Record URL:
  • https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trnews/trnews114-003.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07386826
• Supplemental Notes:
  • 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.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Mitchell, J K
• Publication Date: 1984-9

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 24-31
• Serial:
  • TR News
  • Issue Number: 114
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0738-6826
  • Serial URL: https://doi.org/10.17226/895

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge abutments; Construction; Costs; Design; Earth walls; Material reinforcement; Mechanically stabilized earth; Retaining walls
• Uncontrolled Terms: Construction costs; Design criteria
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Finance; Geotechnology; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00391353
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jan 30 1985 12:00AM