The design challenges of mechanically stabilized earth wall structures in extreme rainfall conditions for commercial operating owners

¹ Maccaferri SA, Engineering Department, Unit 1 Cambridge Commercial Park, Paulshof, South Africa
² PeraGage, Infinity Business Park, 4 Pieter Wenning Road, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Mine owners demand that structures perform optimally at the primary point of commercial mining operations, which force the designers’ attention to the critical contributions of the material characteristics. The extreme rainfall conditions and high loads exerted on the structures, required careful consideration of the design methodology and parameters used to cause the least amount of disruption during the full operating life span of the Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall (MSEW) structures, through the varying conditions present on site. To design the low risk MSEW structures in Liberia, where the most common backfill construction material used is often of a lower grade laterite, combined with a rainfall condition classed as monsoon (above 4,000mm rain fall per annum), generated a scenario that forced the design approach and choice of geosynthetic materials to exclude any compromised solutions. Simplicity in the construction installation using geosynthetics and gabion materials have satisfied design requirements and minimized risk to mine operators and management.