PRECAST RETAINING/NOISE WALLS
PART 1 GENERAL
1.1SECTION INCLUDES
A.Precast Noise Walls and Precast Retaining/Noise Walls.
1.2RELATED SECTIONS
A.Section 02056: Embankment, Borrow, and Backfill
B.Section 02075: Geotextiles
C.Section 03055: Portland Cement Concrete
D.Section 03056: Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC)
E.Section 03152: Concrete Joint Control
F.Section 03211: Reinforcing Steel and Welded Wire
G.Section 03390: Concrete Curing
H.Section 09981: Concrete Coating
1.3REFERENCES
A.AASHTO M 251: Plain and Laminated Elastomeric Bridge Bearings
B.ASTM D 1621: Compressive Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics
C.ASTM D 1777: Thickness of Textile Materials
D.ASTM D 6364: Determining Short-Term Compression Behavior of
Geosynthetics
E.UDOT Quality Management Plan
1.4DEFINITIONS Not Used
Precast Retaining/Noise Walls
1.5SUBMITTALS
A.Working Drawings
1.Detailed shop drawings of lifting devices for review.
a.Provide the seal of a Professional Engineer (PE) or
Professional Structural Engineer (SE) licensed in the State of Utah.
b.Include supporting engineering calculations.
B.Samples of the specified surface texture architectural treatments for
review before casting of the panels.
1.Refer to the plans for the required surface texture architectural
treatments.
C.Casting and Shipping Schedules
1.A tentative casting schedule for information at least 14 calendar
days in advance to make inspection and testing arrangements.
2.A tentative shipping schedule for information at least 14 calendar
days before shipping precast elements to the job site.
PART 2 PRODUCTS
2.1MATERIALS
A.Concrete
1.Precast Panels and Posts
a.Concrete Class AAA(AE) according to Section 03055.
1) 28-day minimum compressive strength of 5,000 psi. 2) Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) may be used at the Contractor’s option. Refer to Section 03056.
2.Post Holes
a.Concrete Class B. Refer to Section 03055.
B.Reinforcing Steel
1.Coated – Refer to Section 03211.
C.Welded Wire Fabric
1.Coated – Refer to Section 03211.
D.Form-Liner Materials
1.Refer to SW Series Standard Drawings.
2.Use a form-liner that produces uniform texture and patterns and
releases the sculpted concrete surface without damage.
3.Provide solid backing and form supports so that the form-liners
remain in place during concrete placement. Precast Retaining/Noise Walls
4.Use a form release agent that meets the following:
a.A manufacturer’s recommended liquid-release agent that will
not bond with, stain, or adversely affect precast concrete surfaces and will not impair subsequent surface or joint treatments of precast concrete.
b.A non-petroleum release agent meeting all EPA
requirements.
c.A release agent that is not detrimental to concrete strength
or durability and that does not impart color, tint, or texture to the finished product.
E.Lifting Devices
1.Use the number, type, and size necessary to lift the largest precast
panel used on the project and tilt it from a horizontal position to a vertical position.
2.Use a galvanized flush-type that does not project beyond the edge
of the panels.
3.Design for the shear factor of safety 2.66:1 for lifting from a flat
position and a tension factor of safety 4:1 for lifting from a vertical position.
4.Design for shear so that the panels can be lifted from either side.
5.Provide waterproof caps.
F.Free Draining Granular Backfill
1.Refer to Section 02056.
G.Elastomeric Bearing Pad
1.Refer to AASHTO M 251.
2.Use 60 durometer hardness (Shore A), Grade 3 elastomer.
H.Backer Rod
1.Refer to Section 03152.
I.Construction Adhesive
1.According to wall manufacturer’s recommendation.
J.Wood Shims
1.Use any grade fir.
K.Composite Drainage Material
1.Use a two-layer geocomposite sheet drain consisting of drainage
geotextile bonded to one side of a three-dimensional drainage core.
a.Drainage geotextile – Refer to Section 02075.
b.Drainage core:
1) High strength rigid plastic.
Precast Retaining/Noise Walls
2) Minimum compressive strength – 15,000 lbs/ft2. Refer to ASTM D 1621 or ASTM D 6364. 3) Minimum thickness – 0.40 inches. Refer to ASTM D 1777. 4) Capable of multidirectional flow.
L.Drainage Geotextile
1.Refer to Section 02075.
M.Concrete Coating System
1.Water Repellent – Refer to Section 09981.
2.Tinted Concrete Sealer – Refer to Section 09981.
2.2PRECAST NOISE AND RETAINING/NOISE WALLS
A.Refer to SW Series Standard Drawings.
2.3FABRICATION
A.Use a Department pre-qualified supplier of precast concrete products
according to the UDOT Quality Management Plan 505 - Precast/Prestressed Concrete Structures.
B.Precast Concrete Posts
1.Cast posts in metal forms. Cast pilasters in metal or wood forms.
2.Permanently mark each post with the date of casting and the post
identification number supplied by the inspector.
a.Place markings in fresh concrete near the bottom of the
post.
3.Apply water repellent according to Section 09981 before shipping.
a.Water repellent may be applied at the project site after
installation when authorized by the Engineer.
4.Verify sides do not deviate from a straight line by more than ⅛ inch
in 10 ft.
5.Replace posts that are not permanently marked.
C.Precast Concrete Panels
1.Cast the panels to dimensional tolerances according to Precast
Concrete Institute (PCI) or National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA), and as shown.
a.Cast in metal forms.
b.Do not use coloring additives.
c.Achieve uniformity of appearance, color, texture, and
pattern.
d.Produce a concrete panel with smooth, solid surfaces free of
voids and air pockets. Precast Retaining/Noise Walls
2.Permanently mark each panel with the casting date and the panel
identification number supplied by Engineer on the panel end near the top.
3.Provide the surface texture architectural treatment on both sides of
noise panels as shown. Provide the surface texture architectural treatment as shown on the exposed side of retaining panels. Remove all residue from panel surfaces.
a.Use a concrete form-liner to achieve the specified concrete
texture.
b.Provide panel faces that are free of joint marks, grain, and
other obvious defects. Provide corners including false joints that are uniform, straight, and sharp.
4.Apply water repellent according to Section 09981 before shipping.
a.Water repellent may be applied at the project site after
installation when authorized by the Engineer.
5.Replace panels that:
a.Do not match in contrast.
b.Are not permanently marked.
c.Show discoloration from release agents.
6.Use a single, full-height noise panel between posts for all noise
walls. Use a single noise panel and a single retaining panel between posts for retaining/noise walls.
a.The noise and retaining panels may be cast as a single
panel when there is less than 3 ft of soil provided that the portion of the panel retaining soil meets all retaining panel requirements.
D.Curing
1.Cure according to Section 03390.
2.4QUALITY CONTROL
A.Precast Posts and Panels
1.Document all test results. The quality control file will contain at
least the following information:
a.Element identification
b.Date and time of casting
c.Concrete cylinder test results
d.Quantity of the used concrete and the batch printout
e.Form-stripping date and repairs if applicable
f.Location or number of blockouts and lifting inserts
g.Temperature and moisture of curing period
h.Lifting device details, requirements, and inserts
i.Side deviation measurement for precast posts, refer to this
Section, Article 2.15, paragraph B4.
Precast Retaining/Noise Walls
PART 3 EXECUTION
3.1DELIVERY, HANDLING, AND STORAGE
A.Store units with adequate dunnage and bracing.
1.Protect units to prevent contact with soil and staining.
2.Prevent cracking, distortion, warping, and other physical damage.
B.Place stored units so identification marks are clearly visible and units can
be inspected.
C.Place non-staining resilient spacers of even thickness between each unit.
D.Support units during shipment on non-staining shock absorbing material.
3.2POST HOLES
A.Place edge of post holes no closer than 2 ft from underground utilities.
3.3CONCRETE POSTS
A.Set true to line and grade. Replace posts more than ¼ inch out of plumb
in 10 ft of exposed length.
B.Replace posts that do not adequately support or accept insertion of the
precast panels.
3.4PRECAST CONCRETE PANELS
A.Refer to SW Series Standard Drawings.
B.Set elevations in the field for the Engineer’s observation. Stake elevations
to the bottom of the bottom panel. Align as shown.
C.Apply construction adhesive to wood shims and drive tightly into place.
Locate as shown.
1.Cut off shim flush with post face.
D.Retaining Walls
1.Elastomeric bearing pad
a.Attach to concrete posts using construction adhesive as
shown.
b.Attach to top of retaining panel using construction adhesive
as shown.
Precast Retaining/Noise Walls
2.Composite Drainage Material
a.Place behind the retaining panels at each weep hole
location.
b.Place the fabric side of the material against the fill.
1) Extend the length of the material from the bottom of the retaining panel to the top of the fill.
c.Attach to panels using construction adhesive.
d.Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
3.Drainage Geotextile
a.Place around the back side of the posts as shown.
b.Extend the material from the bottom of the retaining panel to
the top of the fill.
c.Attach to posts using construction adhesive.
d.Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
4.Free Draining Granular Backfill
a.Place and tamp down behind the retaining panels, between
the posts to the fill height and length, and at the locations shown.
3.5LIFTING DEVICES
A.Place waterproof caps in the lifting devices after the panels are
permanently placed.
3.6CONCRETE COATING SYSTEM
A.Apply tinted concrete sealer to exposed concrete surfaces of panels and
posts after installation is complete and as shown. Refer to Section 09981.
B.Coat concrete surfaces to 6 inches below finished grade.
END OF SECTION
Precast Retaining/Noise Walls
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Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 749–755 of 1,331.
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