Geosynthetic Reinforced Embankments Cost Information
<p><p><h2>Commentary</h2>Typical contract pay items and units of measurement used for geosynthetic reinforced embankments include:<br><ul> <li>Geosynthetic (fabric or grid) measured by the square yard in-place.</li> <li>Granular material measured by the ton.</li> <li>Embankment material measured by the cubic yard.</li></ul>The equipment used to construct geosynthetic reinforced embankments is common to highway construction projects; therefore additional mobilization costs are negligible.<br><h2>Cost
Geosynthetic Reinforced Embankments Fact Sheet
<p><p><figure id='attachment_2586' style='max-width:1024px' class='caption aligncenter'><img class="wp-image-2586 size-large" src="https://www.geoinstitute.org/sites/default/files/geotech-tools-uploads/…; alt="Graphic showing an embankment constructed on a weak soil foundation with a layer of reinforcement at the interface of the embankment and the foundation soils." width="1024" height="667&
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Geosynthetic Reinforced Embankments Specifications
Summary of Example Specifications
<p><p><h2>Summary of Example Specifications</h2><div class="grayed-title subsection"><strong>Specification Name/Number:</strong> High Strength Geotextile For Embankment Reinforcement (from Washington Department of Transportation, October 27, 1997)</div><strong>Reference(s):<br></strong><em>Holtz et al. (2006)</em></p><p>The specification found in the FHWA manual from the Washington Department of Transportation was the only specification indentified developed by a state department of transportation. The bidding, construction, and monitoring phases are fairly standard for this technology. Reinforcement requirements for soft-ground embankment construction will be project specific and the required geosynthetic properties must be updated for each project. The specification would need to be modified to allow the use of geogrid reinforcement, particularly seaming and placement procedures. One possible area requiring additional consideration would be if staged construction was to be utilized in conjunction with this technology. The preferred specification could also be extended to include performance measures to control and possibly accelerate construction rates, as recommended by Holtz et al. (2008), creating a combined method/performance specification.<br><div class="grayed-title subsection"><strong>Specification Name/Number:</strong> Guideline Specification for Embankment on Soft Soils</div><strong>Reference(s):<br></strong><em>Polyfelt Americas (1994)</em></p><p>The specification presented in the Polyfelt manual is a generic guideline specification. The geotextile properties section refers to Polyfelt products, but the remainder of the specification is applicable to all geosynthetic reinforced embankment construction.<br><div class="grayed-title subsection"><strong>Specification Name/Number:</strong> Geosynthetic Reinforcement for Embankment over Soft Soils, Section 31 34 19.18 [02377]</div><strong>Reference(s):<br></strong><em>Propex Geosynthetics (2006)</em></p><p>The specification prepared by Propex Inc. is a generic guide specification. The accepted manufacturer section only lists Propex Inc. as acceptable, but a substitution section is also provided. The specification is applicable to all geosynthetic reinforced embankment construction.</p></p>
Geotextile Testing
<p><p><strong>Reference(s):</strong></p><p><em>Holtz et al. (2008)</em></p><p><strong>Method Summary</strong></p><p>The most important mechanical properties are the tensile strength and modulus of the reinforcement, seam strength, soil-geosynthetic friction, and system creep resistance. The tensile strength and modulus values should preferably be determined by an in-soil tensile test. In-situ properties of many geosynthetics are markedly different than those from tests conducted in air.
Liquefaction Potential Assessment
Liquefaction Potential Assessment
The following section provides guidance for assessing the potential for liquefaction, lateral spreading and settlement of any in-situ soils at the site that will be a part of the foundation for the geosynthetic reinforced embankment. The design procedure for geosynthetic reinforced embankments is provided in Geosynthetic Design and Construction Guidelines, FHWA-NHI-07- 092.
Piezometers
<p><p><strong>Reference(s):</strong></p><p><em>Holtz et al. (2008)</em></p><p><strong>Method Summary</strong></p><p>Piezometers should be installed to indicate the magnitude of excess pore pressure developed during construction.
QC/QA Daily Logs
<p><p><strong>Reference(s):</strong></p><p><em>Holtz et al. (2008)</em></p><p><strong>Method Summary</strong></p><p>QC/QA daily logs are a fundamental part of documenting construction of geosynthetic reinforced embankments. The daily logs should include a record of the placed geosynthetic geometries, as well as any issues related to construction.
Settlement and Deformation Monitoring
<p><p><strong>Reference(s):</strong></p><p><em>Holtz et al. (2008)<br>Paylor et al. (2008)</em></p><p><strong>Method Summary</strong></p><p>Settlement monitoring should be performed during construction. Settlement plates are the traditional means of monitoring settlement.
Strain Gages/Extensometers
<p><p><strong>Reference(s):</strong></p><p><em>HPaylor et al. (2008)</em></p><p><strong>Method Summary</strong></p><p>Strain gages and extensometers attached directly to the geosynthetic reinforcement provide a continuous record of the strain in the geosynthetic. The strain in the geosynthetic is a design consideration both during construction and long term.
Survey Control
<p><p><strong>Reference(s):</strong></p><p><em>Holtz et al. (2008)</em></p><p><strong>Method Summary</strong></p><p>The site should be surveyed on a specified regular schedule in order to monitor and record fill placement elevations. Other benchmarks can be set during construction to monitor movement of benchmarks.
Westwego to Harvey Canal Levee, Louisiana
<p><p><figure id='attachment_3439' style='max-width:910px' class='caption aligncenter'><img class="wp-image-3439 size-full" src="https://www.geoinstitute.org/sites/default/files/geotech-tools-uploads/…; alt="Location map for a geosynthetic reinforced embankment on the Westwego to Harvey Canal Levee, Louisiana." width="910" height="530" /><figcaption class='caption-text'> ©201
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