Reinforced wall project launches new retail development in Southern California

Geosynthetics | February 2009

The block has a lip for high shear capacity and a “positive mechanical connection” between the block and the geogrid.
The block has a lip for high shear capacity and a “positive mechanical connection” between the block and the geogrid.
  • This particular wall system is distinct due to the high form capacity (to resist lateral loads imposed by heavy equipment such as these scrapers).
  • Due to the strength of the system and practiced installation methods, the wall installation can be done concurrently with the grading operation.
  • The walls were built in 8-in. lifts, per industry standards. The motor grader pictured here levels out the backfill dumped long and thin by the grading contractor.
  • Due to the high form capacity, compaction can be achieved all the way out to the face of the wall. The plantable and free-draining system typically does not require gravel behind the blocks.
  • Gravel serves as a drainage layer and helps to avoid the application of compaction stresses near the back of the facia unit. Without proper compaction near the face of the wall, future settlement near the facia can limit the integrity of the system.
  • This photo highlights the importance of the wall delivery time. The site is primarily located in a fill condition and no building construction was possible before the pad delivery.
  • This photo highlights the importance of the wall delivery time. The site is primarily located in a fill condition and no building construction was possible before the pad delivery.
  • Jan Erik Jansson

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Jan Erik Jansson, President and CEO, Soil Retention Systems Inc.

  • Born in Sweden
  • Got into the segmental retaining wall business in 1987
  • Has installed more than 8 million ft2 of walls in the past 20 years without a failure
  • Started with Loffel Retaining Walls beforedeveloping the Verdura Retaining Wall System
  • Developed a reputation for delivering safe, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing grade transitions
  • Expert in the field of segmental retaining wallinstallation and system development
  • Developed the trademarked and patented permeable, flexible, and plantable concrete pavementsystem, Drivable Grass
  • Developed Enviroflex, a tapered, permeable,and plantable articulated concrete block for scour protection

Project highlights:

The Shops at Sycamore Creek (15.6-acre site), Corona, Calif.

Location: Riverside County, Calif., Interstate-15 Freeway Frontage and Indian Truck Trail (adjacent to the Elsinore Fault zone)

Purpose of retaining wall: To create a construction pad allowing enough flat buildable land for the ensuing retail development. Due to the height and magnitude, Riverside County required a plantable wall.

Timeline: retaining wall and building pad completed in fall 2007; retail buildings, fall 2008

Developer: Fieldstone Communities

Civil engineer: Psomas Engineering

Geotechnical engineer: Christian Wheeler Engineering

Retaining wall designer: Southern California Geotechnical

Retaining wall installer: Soil Retention Systems

Grading contractor: Shelton Construction

Total wall area: 36,000ft2

Maximum height: 34ft

Wall length: 1,400 LF

Backfill required for reinforced geogrid zone: 46,000yd3

Geogrid: Miragrid 10XT, 20XT (designed with V40 and V60 – break point at 26ft)

Amount of geogrid used: 59,000yd2 of 10XT; 9,000yd2 of 20XT

Additional engineering information: peak ground acceleration of 0.7g; grid ratios approximately 100% of height; designed with dead and live load surcharges for structures and fire/delivery access lane; grids at maximun spacing (2ft) to increase production

Duration of wall construction: 14.5 days, including footing excavation and subdrain installation — a new company record for installation time for a project of this size

  • The block has a lip for high shear capacity and a “positive mechanical connection” between the block and the geogrid.
    The block has a lip for high shear capacity and a “positive mechanical connection” between the block and the geogrid.
  • This particular wall system is distinct due to the high form capacity (to resist lateral loads imposed by heavy equipment such as these scrapers).
    This particular wall system is distinct due to the high form capacity (to resist lateral loads imposed by heavy equipment such as these scrapers).
  • Due to the strength of the system and practiced installation methods, the wall installation can be done concurrently with the grading operation.
    Due to the strength of the system and practiced installation methods, the wall installation can be done concurrently with the grading operation.
  • The walls were built in 8-in. lifts, per industry standards. The motor grader pictured here levels out the backfill dumped long and thin by the grading contractor.
    The walls were built in 8-in. lifts, per industry standards. The motor grader pictured here levels out the backfill dumped long and thin by the grading contractor.
  • Due to the high form capacity, compaction can be achieved all the way out to the face of the wall. The plantable and free-draining system typically does not require gravel behind the blocks.
    Due to the high form capacity, compaction can be achieved all the way out to the face of the wall. The plantable and free-draining system typically does not require gravel behind the blocks.
  • Gravel serves as a drainage layer and helps to avoid the application of compaction stresses near the back of the facia unit. Without proper compaction near the face of the wall, future settlement near the facia can limit the integrity of the system.
    Gravel serves as a drainage layer and helps to avoid the application of compaction stresses near the back of the facia unit. Without proper compaction near the face of the wall, future settlement near the facia can limit the integrity of the system.
  • This photo highlights the importance of the wall delivery time. The site is primarily located in a fill condition and no building construction was possible before the pad delivery.
    This photo highlights the importance of the wall delivery time. The site is primarily located in a fill condition and no building construction was possible before the pad delivery.
  • This photo highlights the importance of the wall delivery time. The site is primarily located in a fill condition and no building construction was possible before the pad delivery.
    This photo highlights the importance of the wall delivery time. The site is primarily located in a fill condition and no building construction was possible before the pad delivery.
  • Jan Erik Jansson
    Jan Erik Jansson

Jan Erik Jansson, President and CEO, Soil Retention Systems Inc.

  • Born in Sweden
  • Got into the segmental retaining wall business in 1987
  • Has installed more than 8 million ft2 of walls in the past 20 years without a failure
  • Started with Loffel Retaining Walls beforedeveloping the Verdura Retaining Wall System
  • Developed a reputation for delivering safe, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing grade transitions
  • Expert in the field of segmental retaining wallinstallation and system development
  • Developed the trademarked and patented permeable, flexible, and plantable concrete pavementsystem, Drivable Grass
  • Developed Enviroflex, a tapered, permeable,and plantable articulated concrete block for scour protection

Comments

Comments are the opinion of individual posters and do not reflect the views of Geosynthetics or Industrial Fabrics Association International.

  • George S.
    George S.
    Jan 28, 2010
    7:49 am CST

    Heavy equipment

    I have seen these reinforced walls being used a lot in landscaping projects but it’s amazing to see how this wall can support the heavy equipment surcharge. What was the amount of live load surcharge considered for the heavy equipment?

  • Ron Bygness, editor, Geosynthetics magazine
    Ron Bygness, editor, Geosynthetics magazine
    Feb 16, 2010
    10:47 am CST

    Re: Heavy equipment

    Editor’s note: We received a response to the above question:

    Typically, we add no additional surcharge for heavy equipment. The Verdura Retaining Wall System was designed with enough form capacity to be built properly.

    - Nick Jansson, P.E., LEED AP, Soil Retention Systems Inc.

     

     

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