CE 5328 - DESIGN OF EARTH RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS

Homework Assignment No. 1 (Due Wednesday January 25, 2011)

1. Figure 1(a) on page 3 shows the profile view of a retaining wall that is to be
constructed in connection with a proposed highway widening project. In this problem
you are asked to identify the type of retaining wall that is optimally suited for the
specific site conditions and at the same time, best meets the project requirements.

The following information has been provided:

Cross Sections: Cross sections have been taken at 4 different stations, STA.
510+00, STA. 511+11, STA. 512+00 and STA. 513+00 along the length of the
retaining wall. These are shown in Figure 1(b).
Project Requirements:
(a) The wall must be built to meet exact line and grade specifications
(b) The wall is built in an urban area and therefore, aesthetics is an important
consideration.
(c) There are no significant curves along the length of the wall; In other words, wall
alignment is generally straight
(d) It is expected that there will be heavy use of deicing salts on the roadway during
winter season and corrosion of buried metallic elements is a concern.
Use the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)’s retaining wall selection as a
guide. Once you have identified a particular type of wall, visit websites of several
leading wall suppliers (e.g. Reinforced Earth Company, Tensar Corporation) and
identify a suitable wall system.

2. Figure 2 (a) shows an aerial view of the new US 82 (Marsha Sharp Freeway)
construction project in Lubbock, Texas. Figure 2(b) represents a typical cross-section
for this project. It shows the original ground surface and the existing US 82 roadway.
The proposed freeway will run parallel to the existing US 82 but at a lower elevation.
The difference in elevation between the existing US 82 and the proposed freeway
varies from zero grade separation up to a maximum of 36ft. Once construction of the
freeway is complete, the existing US 82 will serve as the service road for the new
freeway.
You are required to select a suitable type of retaining wall for this project. Consider
the following additional constraints (hypothetical) when making your decision. Use
the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)’s retaining wall selection as a
guide.
(a) The existing US 82 must remain in service throughout the entire duration of the
freeway construction project. Relocating the roadway is not possible because of
difficulties associated with acquiring necessary right of way.

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 (b) There is a large CIP concrete storm drainage system adjacent to the highway.
Removing and replacing this storm sewer will increase cost of construction
significantly.
(c) Subsoil in the vicinity of the project consists of clayey sands with trace of caliche
(strong and stable materials).

3. Two types of earth retaining structures NOT discussed in this class are:
(a) Contiguous walls, and
(b) Secant walls
Perform a google search with above key words, find out about these two types of
walls and compare them with drilled shaft walls. Write down similarities and
differences; Use illustrations.

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Figure 1(a): Profile View of Retaining Wall described in Problem No.1
 

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PROPOSED HIGHWAY

   
Figure 1(b): Cross Sectional Views of Retaining Wall described in Problem No.1

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Proposed Freeway

Figure 2(a): Marsha Sharp Freeway Construction Project, Lubbock, TX; an Aerial View

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Figure 2(b): Marsha Sharp Freeway Construction Project, Lubbock, TX
Typical Cross Section

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