Verify Performance of Strip Reinforcements
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The Reinforced Earth Company (RECO) retrieved a set of four samples of strip reinforcements, and a corresponding sample of fill material from a reinforced earth (RE) retaining wall system constructed in Brewster, New York. The strips were removed from upper wall panels damaged by a snowplow impact. The wall was constructed in November 1997, and the accident occurred in February 2010. Thus, the strip reinforcements were in service for approximately 12 years. RECO requested ERTesting to assess the condition of of the exhumed reinforcements as compared to the performance that may be anticipated based on assumptions used in design. Condition assessment involved laboratory analysis of the fill samples, and measurements of zinc oxide and remaining zinc. Conditions were observed at locations within the tie-strips that serve to connect the reinforcements to the precast concrete wall panels, and at locations not included within the connection. Zinc thickness measurements were obtained via (1) nondestructive measurements of zinc oxide and remaining zinc thickness using an electronic thickness gauge, (2) stripping and weighing, and (3) optical measurements to identify the character and thickness of remaining zinc from metallographic cross-sections.
