This is a summary report on the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT) project to standardize designs, plans and specifications for construction of safe and economical low to moderate height soil retention structures for state, county and local government transportation structures in Minnesota. Standard designs have been developed for modular block wall (MBW) unit faced, geosynthetic soil reinforced mechanically stabilized earth wall (MSEW) and geosynthetic reinforced soil slope (RSS) structures. Volume 2 of the report contains fifteen individual project task reports, detailing development of these standard designs.
Standard MSEW designs have been generated for four geometric/loading combinations, including level backfills with and without traffic barrier loadings, and sloping backfill surcharges. Standard RSS designs were generated for three cases. Economic limits were defined as an element of this project, with size defined as the total structure length, or face area, and average height. Standard designs should be used below the defined economic limits, and project-specific designs, either by MN/DOT or by manufacturer/supplier; should be used above these limits.
These standard designs provide significant benefits to MN/DOT, including substantial cost savings. Cost savings are realized in decreased personnel time for project design, material evaluation, construction inspection, and contract administration. Note that this project is specifically tailored for highway works in Minnesota.
This is a summary report on the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT) project to standardize designs, plans and specifications for construction of safe and economical low to moderate height soil retention structures for state, county and local government transportation structures in Minnesota. Standard designs have been developed for modular block wall (MBW) unit faced, geosynthetic soil reinforced mechanically stabilized earth wall (MSEW) and geosynthetic reinforced soil slope (RSS) structures. Volume 2 of the report contains fifteen individual project task reports, detailing development of these standard designs.
Standard MSEW designs have been generated for four geometric/loading combinations, including level backfills with and without traffic barrier loadings, and sloping backfill surcharges. Standard RSS designs were generated for three cases. Economic limits were defined as an element of this project, with size defined as the total structure length, or face area, and average height. Standard designs should be used below the defined economic limits, and project-specific designs, either by MN/DOT or by manufacturer/supplier, should be used above these limits.
These standard designs provide significant benefits to MN/DOT, including substantial cost savings. Cost savings are realized in decreased personnel time for project design, material evaluation, construction inspection, and contract administration. Note that this project is specifically tailored for highway works in Minnesota.
