<p><p><h2>Commentary</h2>Typical contract pay items and units of measurement used for Reinforced Soil Slopes (RSS) include the following:<br><ul> <li>Geosynthetic reinforced soils slope measured by the square foot or square yard of vertical face</li> <li>Embankment measured by the cubic yard</li></ul>The equipment used to construct reinforced soil slopes is common to highway construction projects; therefore, additional mobilization costs are negligible.</p><p>Other items of work associated with RSS that should be considered when performing an initial cost estimate for comparison purposes between alternative embankment technologies include the following:<br><ul> <li>Acquisition of right of way</li> <li>Stabilization of the embankment foundation</li> <li>Temporary and permanent erosion control measures</li> <li>Longitudinal roadway barriers (guard rail, cable barrier, parapet, etc.)</li></ul><h2>Cost Information Summary</h2>The following table lists construction cost items associated with reinforced soil slopes, along with approximate cost ranges. Cost ranges are based on data from 2008 through 2010. Readers should carefully examine the project characteristics and constraints and determine to what degree if any these factors may influence the actual cost associated with constructing reinforced soil slopes.</p><p><table class='tablepress' id='tablepress-119'><thead><th>Pay Item Description</th><th>Quantity</th><th>Unit</th><th>Low Unit Price</th><th>High Unit Price</th><th>Factors Which May Potentially Impact Costs</th></thead><tbody><tr><td >Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Slope</td><td >Greater Than 5,000</td><td >SF</td><td >$7.00</td><td >$25.00</td><td >Geogrids are more expensive than fabrics
Woven fabrics are more expensive than nonwoven fabrics
Heavier fabrics cost more
Smaller dimension grids and heavier grids cost more
Cost increases as embankment height increases (greater than 50 ft)
</td></tr><tr><td >Embankment</td><td >Greater Than 5,000</td><td >CY</td><td >$-</td><td >$-</td><td >Use historical costs that are representative of the project quantity, project conditions and project location
Adjust historical costs for embankment height and slightly lower production rates due to impacts of coordinating work with multiple layers of geotextiles
</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Historical Cost Information</h2>A sample of actual project costs for reinforced soil slopes is shown in the table below.</p><p><table class='tablepress' id='tablepress-120'><thead><th>Pay Item Description</th><th>Quantity</th><th>Unit</th><th>Low Unit Price</th><th>High Unit Price</th><th>Average Unit Price</th><th>No. of Bids</th><th>Bid Date</th><th>Source/Agency</th></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan=2 >Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Slope</td><td >69,536</td><td >SF</td><td >$4.20</td><td >$13.54</td><td >$7.27</td><td >8</td><td >9/24/2008</td><td rowspan=2 >Florida DOT</td></tr><tr><td >35,554</td><td >SF</td><td >$2.65</td><td >$12.50</td><td >$6.80</td><td >7</td><td >6/23/2010</td></tr><tr><td rowspan=4 >Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Slope System</td><td >8,910</td><td >SF</td><td >$9.35</td><td >$15.26</td><td >$12.45</td><td >3</td><td >3/28/2008</td><td rowspan=4 >Missouri DOT</td></tr><tr><td >18,083</td><td >SF</td><td >$6.00</td><td >$20.25</td><td >$12.18</td><td >3</td><td >5/22/2009</td></tr><tr><td >34,900</td><td >SF</td><td >$10.00</td><td >$30.00</td><td >$21.34</td><td >3</td><td >8/21/2009</td></tr><tr><td >1,149</td><td >SF
</td><td >$17.00</td><td >$42.00</td><td >$28.05</td><td >11</td><td >5/14/2010</td></tr><tr><td >Geosynthetic Reinforced Earth System Slope</td><td >14,175</td><td >SF</td><td >$13.00</td><td >$33.38</td><td >$19.78</td><td >4</td><td >7/23/2009</td><td >New York DOT</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Conceptual Cost Estimating Tool</h2>The conceptual cost estimating tool is intended to be used to develop a preliminary project scoping cost estimate. This preliminary estimate can be based on the typical construction cost item values as contained in the Cost Information product or from user specified cost values when such are known. Users should read and understand the information in Cost Information product prior to using the cost estimating tool. You can download the Cost Estimating Tool to open a cost estimating spreadsheet for producing a preliminary project scoping estimate.</p><p><a class="arrow-link" href="https://www.geoinstitute.org/sites/default/files/geotech-tools-uploads/… the Cost Estimating Tool</a></p><p> </p></p>
Technology