vicroads

1999/008

Bridge Technical Note

DETAILING OF REINFORCED SOIL FACING PANELS

1.

SCOPE

This Technical Note provides guidelines for detailing of precast concrete facing panels for
Reinforced Soil Structures (RSS).
These guidelines do not apply to alternative facing systems for RSS such as masonry blockwork,
geotextiles or gabions.

2.

GENERAL

Reinforced Soil Structures considered in this Technical Note consist of a composite system of
compacted select fill and reinforcing material with precast concrete facing panels. RSS are
designed, supplied and erected by specialist contractors in accordance with the geometric
requirements of the particular site, and Section 682 of VicRoads Standard Specification which
specifies the requirements for the design, supply of materials including select fill, manufacture and
construction.

3.

VERSION 1.1

Version 1.1 of this Technical Note includes reference to AS 5100.

4.

CONCRETE FACING PANELS

Concrete facing panels should consist of reinforced concrete deigned and detailed in accordance
with the requirements of AS 5100 and VicRoads Standard Specification Section 610 Structural
Concrete, Section 620 Precast Concrete Units and Section 682 Reinforced Soil Structures.
Design and detailing requirements for wall facing panels are summarised below :
To control cracking due to shrinkage and temperature, a minimum reinforcement of 500
mm2 per metre in each of two directions at right angles to each other and located at middepth of the panels. Note that this requirement has been adopted despite the serviceability
requirement in AS 5100 Clause 2.8 for thickness greater than 150 mm for 500 mm2 per
metre in each face.
Sufficient reinforcement to provide strength for handling, transport, storage, placing and
loading due to soil pressure including any future extension of the retaining wall.
Concrete cover to reinforcement in accordance with AS 5100.
Embedded fittings with suitable corrosion protection (minimum design life of 100 years) for
connection to the soil reinforcing elements.
VERSION:

1.1

DATE:

June 2005

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BTN 1999/008
Detailing of Reinforced Soil Facing Panels

5.

Minimum concrete grade of VR330/32.

Surface finish on exposed faces of Class 3, unless a special finish is specified.
Method of connecting panels to prevent relative displacement normal to the wall face.
Provision of chamfers on exposed edges to prevent spalling during handling.

REFERENCES

AS 5100 Bridge Design 2004

VicRoads Standard Specification Section 610 Structural Concrete
VicRoads Standard Specification Section 620 Precast Concrete Units
VicRoads Standard Specification Section 682 Reinforced Soil Structures

Approved

June 2005

MIKE VEREY
PRINCIPAL BRIDGE ENGINEER
For further information please contact:
Principal Bridge Engineer
3 Prospect Hill Road Camberwell Vic 3124
Telephone: (03) 9811 8307
Facsimile: (03) 9811 8329
Email: mike.verey@roads.vic.gov.au
Bridge Tech Notes are subject to periodic review and may be superseded.

VERSION:

1.1

DATE:

June 2005

Page 2