[Stonehenge]

Just got a line of a nice sized retaining wall project, that comes with a few issues. An engineering plan is being created, but I wanted to look smart to the GC, so I'm hoping you folks can do that (make me look smart ).

Here's the deal: 440' wall, between 0-5' in height. Surcharge on top - parking lot. Surcharge on bottom - active train tracks (uncertain how close the tracks are to the wall).

Shooting from the hip, what kind of special base prep do we need to consider to prevent trains from shaking this wall to the ground? Also, what kind of grid might you recommend, and at what intervals and length? Again, an engineered plan is forthcoming - I'd just like to get a jump start, if I can.

[Paul]

Since it's only a 5' tall wall, base prep shouldn't be too much different. What might change is the Geo-grid. I would install a 6 foot piece on the first to second layer. With a second at the 6th to 7th layer. Without knowing the soil report I would hate to really guess on this. One good thing is the rail road bed............ they are built to hold a lot more that the little bit your wall will hold up!

One more thing..... is there a guard rail going in?

[Stonehenge]

Excellent question. The answer is yes, but it's to be made from retaining wall block, so as not to alow headlights to shine into areas where they aren't desired.

[Bill Schwab]

I would not recommend any changes or suggestions until I saw a soils report. Since you have a surcharge of a parking lot let the engineers do thier job and limit your liabliities. Limit your liabilities. All strcutural flaws get dumped onto the engineer, and wall manufactuer. Your would be limited to implementing the design as per drawn.

You are not an engineer. Mention that. Say that based from your experiences, you would build the wall X way, and Paul has some good suggestions there. However, until you see soils reports, you cannot be certain. Ask who is doing those reports, and recommend someone for them. We have one firm in particular we turn on to this work, as they refer us.

Hope this helps!

[BJR]

I never price a wall untill an engineer design has been done.

If the client doesn't want to get a design I don't bother quoting. As Bill said, Limit Your Liabilities.

I can't see any reason to waste your time quoting on what you guess the engineer will design, and then have to quote again when you get the design.

I just priced a job worth $250,000 to replace 2 walls 7ft tall. The designer has to pay the costs. The contractor who built the walls was not found to be liable because he built them to the design.

Scary thought, if you were found liable for that cost.

[Stonehenge]

I won't price it out yet - I just want to have some knowledge, so I can start paving the way to a relationship. I think that'll be easier to do if I can speak to him about the issues of a project like this. The GC has said he doesn't need a stamped plan, but I can't imagine builidng something with a big surcharge on top, with trains running past the bottom.

Right now I'm just working on getting him to feel good about us.

[Bill Schwab]

Jeff:

If this wall is over 3', simply by that, any market I have worked in requires a stamped, certified plan in order to pull permits. Years ago before coastal regulations and environmental impact studies and all that garnbage, we put a sea wall in the lake at our place in Lake Geneva. They required an engieered plan with a stamp.

Just make sure this GC knows what he is doin g to cover your rear end!

[jwholden]

GC has said he doesn't need a stamped plan

Is a GC anything like a builder?

If yes, this one is starting to scare me...

[Stonehenge]

General Contractor - They always scare me.

[Paul]

A GC is not too much of a problem, they are hired to build a (insert type of building here) given a set of drawings and may or may not ask for you to do detailed drawings for approval. They should have investigated the owner to see that funds are available and make sure that the proper bonds are secured. A builder is one that is betting on the come.............. hoping that he can make enough money on the project that it will cover his expenses and generate a good income.