Post on 13-Apr-2017
What You Need to Know About MSE Berms
March 27, 2017
Overview
• MSE Berm Design
• MSE Berm Construction
• MSE Berm Monitoring
ARM Group Inc. A Technically Oriented Earth Sciences & Engineering Firm 2
3
MSE Berm Design
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Design
4
Conceptual Layout: • Geometric optimization
Thorough Site Investigation: • Soil borings/test pits • Laboratory testing • Groundwater
characterization • Field reconnaissance
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Design
5 ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
How Tall to Make Berm
Costs & Losses Total Harms
MSE Berm Design
6
Design Considerations
Soil specifications: • What soil is available and from where will it be sourced? Soil can greatly impact
project economics. • Does soil require special processing or drainage features to be installed within
MSE berm? • Any special conformance testing? • What is the strength of the soil? • What stress conditions will be present?
Geosynthetic reinforcement specifications:
• What are the appropriate reduction factors? • Any special conformance testing?
Subgrade/Subsurface conditions:
• Any subgrade requirements? Drainage? Rate of construction and/or consolidation?
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Design
7 ARM Group Inc.
• Determine “critical” stability sections based upon geometry, existing conditions, loading conditions, etc.
• Iterative process to ensure adequate factors of safety for internal, global, and compound stability.
• Geosynthetic reinforcement elements are lengthened, shortened, or strengths are changed to get adequate factors of safety.
• Great advancements in slope stability software in the past 10 years.
Slope Stability Analysis
MSE Berm Design
8
• Additional cross-sections can optimize geosynthetic reinforcement design (i.e., reduce required length and/or spacing requirements and consequently, costs).
• Optimize design for a consistent factor of safety throughout the length of the berm.
• Review design for conflicts with infrastructure.
Geogrid Optimization
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
DRAINAGE! DRAINAGE! DRAINAGE!
MSE Berm Design
9
Design Insights Experienced geotechnical engineers familiar with MSE berm design are critically
important. Additionally, experienced design engineers can save client significant money in Total Project Cost.
If geosynthetic reinforcement vendors are used during the design, global & compound stability must be independently confirmed by geotechnical engineer.
Design guidance provided by FHWA Publications: • Slopes vs. Walls • Fine vs. Coarse Grained Soils • Performance Criteria • Design Life
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Design
10
Unique ARM Designs
• Solar Integrated MSE Berm (patented) • MSE Berm on Waste Subgrade • Alternative Backfill (crushed
asphalt/brick/concrete) [ABC Material] • Shored MSE Berms • Soft, Saturated Subgrade • Ash Backfill MSE Berm
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
Innovation
11
ARM patented technology.
Anchors for the solar panels are installed within the MSE berm.
Photovoltaic solar panels are attached
to the anchors along the face of the MSE berm.
Important environmental benefits.
Maximization of the revenue
generating area at a facility.
Solar-integrated MSE Berms
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
Innovation
12
The availability and cost of suitable structural fill will significantly impact the bottom-line of an MSE berm project.
Crushed concrete, asphalt, and masonry may be a suitable backfill source.
ARM designed an MSE berm using
incinerator ash as backfill for a landfill in Pennsylvania.
Alternative Backfill / Beneficial Reuse
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE BERM CONSTRUCTION
13 ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Construction
14
Typical Facing Detail
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Construction
15
Subgrade Preparation and MSE Berm Construction
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Construction
16
Welded wire form and biaxial (facing) geogrid installation
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Construction
17
Installation of ECM following biaxial geogrid.
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Construction
18
Setting uniaxial geogrid following installation of ECM and biaxial geogrid.
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Construction
19
Uniaxial geogrid, ECM, and bodkin connection installation
MSE Berm Construction
ARM Group Inc. 20
Separation of uniaxial geogrid and reinforced backfill installation.
MSE Berm Construction
21
Progression of reinforced backfill installation and interior slope grading
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Construction
22
Liner installation on interior slope of MSE berm.
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Construction
23
Utilities atop MSE berm crest and access road. Protective cover visible on slope, leachate pump system riser pipes, valve vault, anchor trench low-perm soil, litter control fence poles, and stormwater management channel.
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Construction
24
Utilities atop MSE berm crest and access road. Litter control fence poles, and stormwater management drop inlet channel with trash rack – future tie-in for final cover system downchute.
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Construction
25
Options:
45’ tall steel litter control fence poles, heavy duty guiderail, security fence, and access road pavement.
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Construction
26
Vegetated MSE berm facing
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Construction
27 ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Construction
28
Construction inspection and testing are critical for MSE berm projects
Experienced construction monitors are essential
Experienced contractors can make a large difference in project success
Quality construction materials are important
Construction inspection certification provides added assurance to stakeholders
Construction-Phase Engineering and Construction Quality Assurance Experienced construction-phase engineering and CQA are essential for MSE berm projects to be completed on-time, within budget, and in accordance with the permitted design and CQA Plan.
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE BERM MONITORING
29 ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Monitoring
30
Possible Instrumentation:
Settlement Plates Survey Monuments Inclinometers
MSE berms should be inspected on a regular basis.
Inclinometers are the most prevalent. Provide continuous monitoring of displacement
throughout the MSE berm and subgrade profile.
Visual Inspections Should be completed by a PE with MSE berm
experience.
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
MSE Berm Monitoring
31
Projects should develop a comprehensive Monitoring, Maintenance, & Inspection Plan. Monitoring Program:
• Instrumentation Readings • Data Analyzation
Inspection Program:
• Routine site inspections • PE inspections • Erosion, vegetation, geogrid
assessment, movement, etc. • Annual alignment survey
Maintenance Program:
• Vegetation maintenance • Stormwater channel maintenance • Roadway maintenance
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
Thank You
32
Questions?
Benjamin S. Allen, P.E. ARM Group Inc.
ballen@armgroup.net Phone: (717) 250-5581
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.
ARM Group Inc.
33
Established in 1998 Civil and Environmental Engineering Firm Full suite of services to support the solid waste industry Office & Personnel Locations:
o Hershey, PA (HQ) o State College, PA o Wilkes-Barre, PA o Pittsburgh, PA o Columbia, MD
MSE berm designs at landfills in PA, CT, & MA
ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.