Vibroreplacement and Reinforced Earth Unite to Strengthen a Weak Foundation

by Andy Munoz, Jr., (A.M.ASCE), U.S. DOT, Fed. Highway Adm., Fort Worth, Texas,
Robert M. Mattox, (A.M.ASCE), District Mgr.; Vibroflotation Foundation Co., Inc., Fairhope, Alabama,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1977, Vol. 47, Issue 5, Pg. 58-62


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

Two relatively new engineering concepts in the U.S. were successfully used to solve a difficult soils problem. A highway skirting Idaho's Lake Pend Oreille was built on a side-hill fill 25 ft (8m) high on silty ground. During early construction, an embankment failure occurred and 30,000 yd� (23,000 m�) of material literally disappeared into the lake. A very innovative solution involved placement of stone columns, through the weak soil to support the fill above and on top of these columns, a Reinforced Earth retaining wall.

Subject Headings: Soil stabilization | Soil strength | Material failures | Lakes | Fills | Construction materials | Silt

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