Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls are used extensively for grade-separation fill structures in many applications, e.g., highways, railways, marine, commercial, etc. To avoid adverse performance issues, design processes for an MSE wall must be tailored to specific geometry and the environment (conditions) expected over its specified lifetime. This workshop is geared towards development of a better understanding of design procedures using principles of limit states to ensure safe and serviceable MSE wall structures over specified lifetimes. More specifically, this workshop is based on the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) methodology that is a North American version of the broader Limit State Design (LSD) approach. The design principles will be explained using wall geometries with level and sloped backfill configurations. The topic of complex geometries will be introduced. The presentation ends with a brief introduction to the design philosophy for the new MSE-LASR technology that permits consideration of Local Available Sustainable Resources (LASR), i.e., non-select or marginal fills.

Using a collaborative and interactive learning approach, this virtual workshop will help you understand the design principles for MSE walls. You will learn newer design approaches based on the LRFD platform that is the basis for documents for MSE walls by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The workshop will help you assimilate the design principles through active participation by frequent interactions throughout the workshop and real-time expert feedback. The interactions will facilitate a better understanding of the nuances of the newer design principles which would help you avoid costly design errors in real-world projects. In between the two live sessions, attendees will independently work on an application (e.g., exercises) or a reflection (e.g., reading) assignment.

Session 1 

• Introductions
• Terminology and forces for MSE Walls
• Limit states and resistance factors
• Applicable loads and load factors
• Consideration of surcharges
• External stability (Strength and Service)
• Interactions within the MSE mass
• Interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session

Session 2 

• Internal stability (Strength)
• Extreme Event limit states (scour, seismic, and vehicle impact)
• Introduction to complex MSE geometries
• Introduction to the design philosophy for MSE-LASR technology
• References
• Review of  full workshop
• Interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session
• Adjourn