Wire Face MSE Retaining Wall WIRE FACE MSE RETAINING WALL
Part 1 — General
1.1 Section Includes
A.Permanent w ire face Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) retaining wall using metal soil reinforc ement .
1.2 Related Sections
A.Section 02056: Embankment, Borrow and Backfill
B.Section 02317: Structural Excavation
C.Section 02832: MSE Backfill
1.3 References
A.AASHTO M 111: Zinc (Hot -Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel
B.AASHTO T 85: Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
C.AASHTO T 96: Resistance to Degradation of Small -Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine
D.AASHTO T 104: Soundness of Aggregate by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
E.ASTM A 641: Zinc -Coated (Galvanized) Carbon Steel Wire
F.ASTM A 975 : Double -Twisted Hexagonal Mesh Gabions and Revet Mattresses (Metallic -Coated Steel Wire or Metallic -Coated Steel Wire With Poly (Vinyl Chloride ) (PVC) coating)
G.ASTM A 1064: Carbon -Steel Wire and Welded Wire Reinforcement, Plain and Deformed, for Concrete
1.4 DEFINITIONS Not Used
Wire Face MSE Retaining Wall
1.5 SUBMITTALS Not Used
Part 2 — Products
2.1 Welded Wire Systems
A.Wire Reinforcement and Cap Mesh
1.Facing, soil reinforcement, and backing mats
a.Use welded wire reinforcement according to ASTM A 1064 and according to the Wall Company’s requirements.
b.Galvanize according to AASHTO M 111 with a coating thickness of at least 3.4 mils .
B.Hardware Cloth and Filter Fabric
1.According to Wall Company’s requirements.
C.Obtain wire mesh reinforcement mats, backing materials, and necessary incidentals from the Wall Company .
2.2 Woven Wire Mesh Systems
A.Use woven wire mesh according to ASTM A 975, and manufactured using the dimensions and other requirements of Table 1 of ASTM A 975.
1.Galvanize according to ASTM A 641 with a coating thickness of at least 3.4 mils .
B.Obtain wire mesh and necessary incidentals from the Wall Company.
C.Fabrication
1.Manufacture system with components mechanically connected at the production facility.
a.The external face, reinforcing panel, and lid are woven into a single unit.
b.Provide units with the ends, back, and diaphragms factory connected to the base so that no additional lacing is necessary at the job site.
2.3 Facing Infill Rock
A.Hard , durable, resistant to weathering, and free from seams, cracks and other structural defects.
1.Do not use shale, mudstone, and other rock that may break into smaller pieces during handling.
2.Do not use concrete or asphalt rubble. Wire Face MSE Retaining Wall
B.Meet the properties listed in Table 1. Table 1 Physical Properties Property Value Test Method Specific Gravity 2.4 min AASHTO T 85 Absorption 2% max AASHTO T 85 Soundness of Aggregate using Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate 12% max Or 17.5% AASHTO T 104 Resistance to Degradation 45% max AASHTO T 96
C.Provide rock with diameters between 3 and 8 inch or as shown.
D.Retain 95 percent or more of the rock on a square screen having the same opening size as the wire enclosure.
1.Control gradation by sample measurement or by visual inspection, as determined by the Engineer.
E.Meet the electrochemical properties according to Section 02832.
2.4 Bearing Pad
A.Use one of the following as shown:
1.Granular Backfill Borrow a. Refer to Section 02056.
2.MSE Free Draining Backfill
a.Refer to Section 02832.
2.5 Mse Backfill
A.Refer to Section 02832.
Part 3 — Execution
3.1 General
A.Haul, store , and ship wall materials in a manner to minimize the potential of producing defects.
1.Store soil reinforcement products as recommended by the Wall Company. Wire Face MSE Retaining Wall
2.Inspect soil reinforcement and attachment devices to verify they are true to size and free from defects that may impair their strength and durability .
3.Keep the soil reinforcement and connections free of contaminants .
B.Construct the retaining wall system according to the authorized retaining wall drawings and the Wall Company’s construction manual and recommendations .
1.Apply the stricter of the two requirements where the Department’s and the Wall Company’s requirements differ.
3.2 Excavation and Foundation Preparation
A.Excavate and prepare foundation to the lines and grades shown, or as directed by the Engineer.
1.Refer to Section 02317.
2.Make the width of excavation equal to or greater than the length of soil reinforcing elements.
3.Compact the foundation using at least three passes of a lightweight, steel, smooth- drum vibratory roller, or as determined by the Engineer before the wall construction.
4.Over -excavate unsuitable foundation soils and replace with MSE backfill, or with other suitable material as directed by the Engineer.
3.3 Bearing Pad
A.Place bearing pad to a compacted thickness of at least 6 inch or as shown. 1. Provide a bearing pad that extends from at least 6 inch in front of the wall face to at least 3 ft 6 inch behind the wall face, unless shown otherwise.
2.Compact according to Section 02056 or Section 02832, as applicable.
3.Provide a level surface on which to place the first course of soil reinforcement.
3.4 Wall Construction
A.Check the facing for level and alignment after plac ing the first course of soil reinforcement .
1.The first course is the most important to verify accurate and acceptable results.
B.Install connecting devices as required by the Wall Company. Wire Face MSE Retaining Wall
C.Wall Systems w ith Facing Baskets
1.Fill voids in facing baskets with facing infill rock .
a.Tamp fill as required by the Wall Company .
b.Completely fill, backfill, and compact each wall course before proceeding to the next wall course.
c.Some manual placement is required d uring the filling operation to minimize voids.
d.Fill the cells in stages to avoid local deformation. 1) Do not fill a cell to a depth exceeding 1 ft higher than the adjoining cell.
2.Slightly over fill the facing baskets by 1 to 2 inch to allow for settlement of the facing infill rock .
3.Prevent significant bulging of the facing baskets between reinforcing layers.
a.Where bulging exceeds 3.0 inch between reinforcing layers, remove and reconstruct that portion of the wall.
b.Measure bulging by holding a plumb straight -edge, or a plumb- bob string in front of the wall face. 1) The bulge measurement is the horizontal distance between the straight edge or plumb- bob string set at the location of maximum bulge and the reinforcement layer immediately above or below the bulge (whichever is greater).
4.Pull the facing basket lid tight until the lid meets the perimeter edge of the facing basket.
D.Soil Reinforcement
1.Place the soil reinforcement on compacted backfill.
2.Connect soil reinforcement to the wire face as required by Wall Company.
3.Provide at least 3 inch vertical separation between geosynthetic soil reinforcement when overlapping.
E.Construct w all facing to the following tolerances :
1.Horizontal alignment
a.Not to exceed 1.0 percent (for example , 3.6 inch in 30 ft).
2.Vertical alignment
a.Not to exceed 1.0 percent (for example , 0.7 inch in 6 ft).
3.Plumbness from top of wall to bottom of wall
a.Positive (into the retained mass) 1) Not to exceed 0. 7 percent (for example , 1.7 inch in 20 ft of wall height).
b.Negative (away from the retained mass) 1) Not to exceed 0. 3 percent (for example , 0.7 inch in 20 ft of wall height). Wire Face MSE Retaining Wall
4.Wall facing levelness
a.Not to exceed 1.0 percent (for example , 2.4 inch in 20 ft).
Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 704–709 of 1,331.