Performance of mechanically stabilized earth walls over compressible soils

Two projects have recently been completed in New Jersey implementing the use of Reinforced Earth walls over soft, compressible foundation soils. With differential settlements predicted to be in excess of the standard 1% allowable maximum, portions of a 3,000 square meter project near New York City and a 7,000 square meter project near Atlantic City were designed using an innovative two-stage construction technique. This involved construction of a flexible wire-faced MSE wall that accommodates differential settlement during consolidation of the foundation soils. Following the foundation settlement, standard precast facing panels were connected to the wire facing using a newly developed adjustable connection to complete the finished wall. For the covering abstract see ITRD E125786.