TxDOT Research Project

A Field Guide for Reconfiguration of MSE Reinforcement around Obstructions

handbook photo
What Was the Need?
TxDOT Research Project 0-6493, "Pullout Resistance of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Reinforcements in Backfills Typically Used in Texas," involved a comprehensive and detailed review of pullout resistance of backfill reinforcement used in mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls constructed in Texas. New reinforcement pullout resistance factors were developed for conditions representative of TxDOT construction and researchers evaluated the impact on their use in wall design. Data obtained from tests conducted on obstruction details were used to identify optimum reinforcement configurations to address commonly encountered obstruction situations. Based on these findings, guidelines needed to be developed for implementation of reinforcement details around obstructions and the guidelines needed to be widely available to TxDOT engineers.

What's the Solution?
The field guide produced by this implementation project provides guidelines for reconfiguration of earth reinforcements to avoid obstructions found within the reinforced fill during permanent Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall construction. The guidebook is intended to assist Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) design engineers, consultants, MSE wall suppliers, contractors, and TxDOT field inspectors when selecting alternative reinforcement configurations to resolve conflicts between design reinforcement layouts and obstructions.

Project Number
5-6493-01
Status
Completed

link icon Copy link to this project.

Start Date
5/30/2015
End Date
8/31/2015
Performing Institution(s)
Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Transportation (TechMRT)
Research Team
RS: Priyantha Jayawickrama
Sponsor
Project Manager
Joe Adams
Page:
Functional Area
Structures and Hydraulics
Index Terms
Earth walls
Stability criteria
Stabilized materials
Lead University
TECH
Researcher
Jayawickrama, Priyantha W. (Priyantha Warnasuriya), 1957-
Geographic name
Dallas, Tex.
Fort Worth, Tex.
Waco, Tex.
See Also
Page:

Registered users may add comments. Comments will be shown with usernames.

Comments
Record Added:
1/26/2016
Record Updated:
7/29/2023 5:31 AM EDT

Report a broken link or error ».

Made possible by the generous support of the
Texas Department of Transportation Research and Technology Implementation Division (RTI)


Center for Transportation Research | Cockrell School of Engineering | The University of Texas at Austin

3925 W. Braker Ln. | Suite #4.11080 | Austin, TX 78759

©2025 TxDOT Transportation Research Library | Web Accessibility Policy | Web Privacy Policy