Four Winds Wall
Project Overview
A deteriorating 100-year-old retaining wall required structural reinforcement.
Due to the highly loaded condition in service, this 100-year-old wall required stabilization to withstand the soil load, surcharge loading from wheel loader traffic, and impact loads.
Project Objectives
- Rehabilitation solution that does not disturb active rail line
- Secure structural result despite variable underground conditions
Location
Johnstown, NY
Market
Capital Improvements
Client
Four Winds Concrete
Project Size
6,000 SF
Additional Services
The challenges
A century of evolving site conditions prevented conventional removal and replacement. With a rail line built directly behind the wall, the project required an in-place stabilization solution that adapted to modern site developments.
Adjacent rail line
Close proximity to an active rail line made removal and replacement an impractical choice.
Underground obstructions
Buried rail cars located behind the wall complicated drilling operations.
The solutions
We implemented a 2-layer shotcrete and soil nail system to stabilize the wall in place. The wall was rehabilitated with a new finish, facility safety was increased, all anchors passed tension testing, and we completed the work 30% under budget.
Modest formwork
An initial 4" shotcrete face was applied to the wall. After drilling over the initial face, we installed and finished the 8" reinforced shotcrete face. Large or obstructive formwork was not required.
Minimally invasive stabilization
300 T40/20 hollow bars, at lengths of up to 60 feet long, were drilled at a 5' square pattern to stabilize the wall.
