EXPERIENCE WITH DEVELOPMENT OF PEAT DEPOSITS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD, FLORIDA

Considerable experience was gained with the development of sites underlain with peat and highly organic soils at Walt Disney World in central Florida. The most straightforward approach was to totally excavate the organics and replace them with sand fill. The excavation techniques and equipment used depended on the total depth of organics, the size of the area to be excavated, and the seasonal groundwater conditions. Various surcharging techniques were used to stabilize the peat before construction. Several specialized approaches were used successfully: (a) A portion of a major lagoon was developed by compressing a thick organic profile by surcharging. Vertical compressions of up to 15 ft (3.0 to 4.6 m) were achieved, thus avoiding the need for significant excavation and disposal. (b) A controlled surcharge program was used to develop over 3,000 linear ft (0.9 km) of a major four-lane access road over an organic profile extending to depths of 10 to 14 ft (3.0 to 12.2 m). Surcharging was found to stabilize the peat by removing primary consolidation and reducing the rate of secondary compression. (c) A section of an elevated monorail system in a deep organic area was developed in a phased sequence of surcharging, partial removal of surcharge, driving piles, and additional surcharge removal. (d) A finite-element program was used to assess the general vertical and horizontal displacement pattern within a sand fill extending partly over highly compressible organic soils. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distance from the edge of the soft ground area where a structure could be safely supported in the sand fill.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1984/978/978-010.pdf
• Record URL:
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Exploration and Classification of Earth Materials. 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:
  • Swantko, Thomas D
  • Berry, Stephen W
  • Ringo, William P
• Conference:
  • 63rd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia, United States
  • Date: 1984-1-16 to 1984-1-20
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Maps; References;
• Pagination: pp 60-67
• Monograph Title: Construction and difficult geology: karstic limestone, permafrost, wetlands, and peat deposits
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 978
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction; Deposition; Depth; Groundwater; Organic soils; Peat soils; Soil stabilization
• Identifier Terms: Walt disney World
• Geographic Terms: Florida
• Old TRIS Terms: Construction problems; Deposition (Materials and soils); Groundwater control
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00396857
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309037603
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jan 31 1986 12:00AM