A Monumental Task

by Victor Omelchenko, (M.ASCE), Principal; Schnabel Engineering, Bethesda, MD,
Thad Bergling, Proj. Geologist; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, MD,
David J. Oleynik, Structural Engr.; Spiegel Zamecnik and Shah, Washington, DC,
Satish B. Shah, (M.ASCE), Principal; Spiegel Zamecnik and Shah, Washington, DC,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1992, Vol. 62, Issue 6, Pg. 60-62


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

The geotechnical consultants, structural engineer and contractor combined to overcome difficult soils, underground subway structures and buried utilities when building the foundations for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. Uncontrolled fills extended about 25 ft deep and blanketed much of the site outside the limits of the Metro construction. The soil improvement engineering effort has been described as a patchwork of soil remediation methods and included the use of both stone columns and a soil-cement mat. Stone columns offered the advantage of providing direct support of structural loads while improving uncontrolled fills by densifying them during installation. A 24 in. thick soil-cement mat was used over the buried subway structures, where stone columns would not have been effective. Engineers also faced structural challenges, especially since some structural items also serve a visual function. Critical design factors included minimizing deflection, cracking and differential settlements.

Subject Headings: Underground structures | Subways | Rocks | Underground construction | Subsurface utilities | Soil stabilization | Soil cement

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