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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

Slope Stabilization Using Recycled Plastic Pins – Phase III

A new technique for stabilizing surficial slope failures using recycled plastic reinforcing members has been developed. The objective of the project described in this report has been to develop, evaluate, and document a technique for stabilization of surficial slope failures using recycled plastic reinforcing members. The project has been undertaken in three sequential phases to provide for logical evaluation of project accomplishments and refinement of the scope of work based on results of activities undertaken throughout the project. This report is the final technical report for the entire three phase project, which describes the accumulated activities performed throughout all three phases of the project. The principal project tasks undertaken include development of a general design methodology, evaluation of the material properties of recycled plastic members from several different manufacturers, establishment of full-scale field test sections at five different sites, monitoring the performance of these sites for periods ranging from two to five years, evaluation and interpretation of field observations, “calibration” of the developed design method, and finally, development of technology transfer materials. The following conclusions are drawn from the work performed as part of this project: (1) the technique of using recycled plastic reinforcement to stabilize surficial slope failures has proven to be effective at providing long-term stabilization; (2) observed performance at the test sites suggests a typical behavioral pattern consisting of an initial period in which little movement is observed and little load is transferred to the reinforcement, a period of increasing movement and increasing mobilized loads in the reinforcement, followed by a period of stabilized movements and loads in the reinforcing members as a result of the slope coming to equilibrium; (3) while the required member spacing depends on the conditions present at a site, a “standard” pattern that appears sufficient for most sites consists of using recycled plastic reinforcing members placed in a 3-ft by 3-ft (0.9-m by 0.9-m) staggered arrangement over the entire slide area; (4) reliable installation can be accomplished with either a percussion hammer similar to what is used on many drill rigs, or a simple drop-weight hammer similar to what is used to install guard rail posts; (5) care must be used when selecting recycled plastic products for use in slope stabilization applications as the properties of these materials can vary substantially from product to product; and (6) costs for the technique vary with the reinforcement pattern selected but appear to be substantially less than those for most other competing slope stabilization technologies.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Web
  • Edition: Final Report
  • Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 301p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01126255
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: OR07-006, RI98-007D
  • Contract Numbers: RI98-007D
  • Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Apr 13 2009 10:08AM