Soil nailing technology is versatile and has been widely used worldwide over the last 3 decades for temporary and permanent excavation support. The design and performance of soil nail walls are intricately linked with their construction procedures.  To avoid adverse performance issues, design and construction processes for a soil nail wall must be tailored to specific geometry and the environment (conditions) expected over its specified lifetime. This workshop will help participants gain a better understanding of design and construction procedures using limit-state concepts, aligned with the latest guidelines based on the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) methodology of the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The contrast between LRFD and Allowable Stress Design (ASD) methodologies will also be included. Design and construction (including field testing) aspects of Solid Bar Soil Nails (SBSNs) and Hollow Bar Soil Nails (HBSNs) will be discussed.

Using a collaborative, interactive learning approach, this virtual workshop will help you understand the design and construction of soil-nail walls. You will learn new design approaches based on the LRFD platform, which underpins the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines for soil nail walls. The workshop will help you assimilate the design and construction aspects through active participation by frequent interactions throughout the workshop and real-time expert feedback. These interactions will help you understand the nuances of the newer design principles and avoid costly design errors in real-world projects. Between the two live sessions, attendees will work independently on an application (e.g., exercises) or a reflection (e.g., reading) assignment.

Session 1 of 2

• Introductions
• Terminology, construction steps, applications, and explorations
• Limit states, load factors, and resistance factors
• Service limit state (wall movements)
• Strength and Extreme Event limit states
• Limit Equilibrium (LE) analysis software tools
• Corrosion Considerations
• Facing (shotcrete)
• Review of Session 1
• Interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session
• Assignment of classwork
• Adjourn for classwork and break

Session 2 of 2

• Roadmap for Session 2
• Review of classwork assignments
• Information for plans and specifications
• Nail types and construction processes
• Grout and grouting
• Nail testing and nail acceptance criteria
• Closure and References
• Review of Session 2 and full workshop
• Interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session