Construction Inspection of Geosynthetic Reinforced Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls

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Sponsored by ASCE Continuing Education and the Geo-Institute (G-I).

INSTRUCTOR:

Robert M. Koerner, Ph.D., P.E., BC.GE, Dist. M.ASCE

Course Length: 1.5 Hours

Purpose and Background

The final defense in the performance of any engineered structure (like MSE walls) is its construction inspection. This has been a major deficiency in that 320 such walls have failed by either excessive deformation or collapse, hence the importance of an inspection routine for MSE walls, which has been greatly lacking. This webinar addresses this need in that inspection activities before, during and after construction are the focus. Details from many sources are packaged together emphasizing site water control, proper placement techniques, compaction of soils, geosynthetic details, facing connections, personnel safety, meetings and documentation.

Primary Discussion Topics

• Construction inspection details and techniques
• Installation of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls with geosynthetic reinforcement
• Inspection activities before, during and after construction
• Facing types
• Backfill soil
• Drainage soil
• Geosynthetic reinforcing
• Drainage composites
• Geotextile filters
• Specification conformance protocols
• Meetings, reports, and related communications

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify each item involved in the construction of an MSE wall as well as specification conformance tests for all materials involved
• Recognize the critical aspect of water, both external to the site and internal to it, insofar as potential adverse results
• Prepare a proper reporting process and procedure to document every aspect of the construction
• Describe both proper and improper installation practices in the context of “lessons learned”
• Prepare visual review checklists at the end of construction for further reference, if necessary

Webinar Benefits

• Understand the seriousness of the large number of past MSE wall failures
• Appreciate tolerances in wall facing materials and the final wall itself
• Describe the nuances of compaction of coarse-grained drainage soils as well as fine- grained backfill soils
• Learn proper geosynthetic reinforcement placement and facing connections
• Be cognizant of worker safety concerns for walls of all heights and orientations
• Appreciate the implications of an unsuccessful project or even a failed one

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).

Intended Audience

• Private and public developers using MSE walls
• Permitting engineers from municipal districts and townships
• Geotechnical and geosynthetic design engineers
• Geotextile and geogrid manufacturers and distributors
• Ground modification engineers and contractors
• Academic and research groups
• Insurance companies and attorneys

Webinar Outline

• Introduction and background
• Inspection activities before construction
• Inspection activities during construction
• Inspection activities after construction
• Summary and conclusions

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 1 year of purchasing the course.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]

Course Length:  90 minutes 

Purpose and Background

The final defense in the performance of any engineered structure (like MSE walls) is its construction inspection. This has been a major deficiency in that 320 such walls have failed by either excessive deformation or collapse, hence the importance of an inspection routine for MSE walls, which has been greatly lacking. This webinar addresses this need in that inspection activities before, during and after construction are the focus. Details from many sources are packaged together emphasizing site water control, proper placement techniques, compaction of soils, geosynthetic details, facing connections, personnel safety, meetings and documentation.

Primary Discussion Topics

• Construction inspection details and techniques
• Installation of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls with geosynthetic reinforcement
• Inspection activities before, during and after construction
• Facing types
• Backfill soil
• Drainage soil
• Geosynthetic reinforcing
• Drainage composites
• Geotextile filters
• Specification conformance protocols
• Meetings, reports, and related communications

Learning Outcomes

• Identify each item involved in the construction of an MSE wall as well as specification conformance tests for all materials involved
• Recognize the critical aspect of water, both external to the site and internal to it, insofar as potential adverse results
• Prepare a proper reporting process and procedure to document every aspect of the construction
• Describe both proper and improper installation practices in the context of “lessons learned”
• Prepare visual review checklists at the end of construction for further reference, if necessary

Webinar Benefits

• Understand the seriousness of the large number of past MSE wall failures
• Appreciate tolerances in wall facing materials and the final wall itself
• Describe the nuances of compaction of coarse-grained drainage soils as well as fine- grained backfill soils
• Learn proper geosynthetic reinforcement placement and facing connections
• Be cognizant of worker safety concerns for walls of all heights and orientations
• Appreciate the implications of an unsuccessful project or even a failed one

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 1 year of purchasing the course.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]