Asheville, NC
BLE provided geotechnical exploration and construction materials testing services for the design and construction of a 100-foot long by 30-foot tall Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) retaining wall consisting of Redi-Rock 28-inch facing blocks. The new retaining wall was built to replace a failed rock wall.
A significant feature of this project was the re-design of a reinforced concrete leveling pad pinned to rock and chimney drain for drainage due to encountered rock and groundwater above the planned base of wall elevation. Construction materials and inspection services consisted of observing/testing placement of structural fill, evaluating foundation bearing capacity, observing the placement of geogrid reinforcing, placement of facing blocks, drainage aggregates and testing and inspection of concrete for leveling pad.