Geotechnical Subsurface Investigation + Retaining Wall Design

A retaining wall bordering a busy parking lot was showing signs of failure due to age, development, and the encroachment of upslope tree roots. Rhea was tasked with conducting a geotechnical subsurface investigation and analysis. In addition to designing the new retaining wall system and stormwater management design to replace the parking lot’s failing infrastructure, Rhea supervised geotechnical drilling operations and analyzed lab results for the subsurface soil and rock conditions. Based on the collected data, Rhea developed the retaining wall design and prepared a geotechnical report, including calculations for overturning, slip, bearing capacity, joint verification, and slope stability. Rhea also conducted hydrological and hydraulic design calculations for a stormwater management system beneath the wall foundations to capture excess runoff from the existing parking lot.

Working with accurate data about the bedrock geology, Rhea was able to design solutions that worked with the landscape at a lower cost. Rhea’s recommendations enabled a safe, attractive, and cost-effective reconstruction of the retaining wall in time for the start of fall semester classes.

Services: Geotechnical , Civil Site Development

Industries: Educational, Institutional, + Public