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Alpenstein^® Technical Details

The Alpenstein Retaining Wall System is offered in two sizes, the Alpenstein 12 and the Alpenstein 20.

APPLICATION

The Alpenstein retaining wall consists of concrete wall units which are stacked to form a slope protection and/or retaining system. The open-unit design allows for root penetration and the natural infiltration of water. The walls can be built in straight lines, or in convex or concave curves. The details and specifications provide standard designs for retaining walls with and without geo-reinforcement. 

STANDARD DESIGN PROCEDURE

The design details established for the construction of reinforced soil retaining walls are based upon generally accepted soil parameters for low plastic silty clay (CL), clayey silt (ML), sandy silt (ML), and granular soils where the soil fines do not exceed 50 percent by weight and the liquid limit does not exceed 50. A qualified engineer shall review the site and soil conditions to determine if the actual conditions match those used in this design. All soil parameters used in the design are under long-term, well-drained strength conditions. 

The drawings and specifications address geo-reinforcement layout and drainage requirements for horizontal and sloping backfill for single walls, and two-tier walls with horizontal backfill. Each case includes a surcharge of 100 pounds per square foot (psf) above the wall. The following parameters and requirements were used in the development of the designs depicted hereon:

RETAINING WALL DESIGN

Component 

Reinforced wall fill
Total Unit Weight, pcf:  125
Cohesion, psf:  0
Friction Angle:  28
Hydrostatic Pressure, psf:  0
 
Retained fill
Total Unit Weight, pcf:  125
Cohesion, psf:  0
Friction Angle:  28
Hydrostatic Pressure, psf:  0

Foundation soil
Total Unit Weight, pcf:  125
Cohesion, psf:  0
Friction Angle:  28
Hydrostatic Pressure, psf:  0

Internal Stability of Wall

Minimum factor of safety for geogrid strength:  1.5
Minimum factor of safety for geogrid pullout:  1.5
Wall-backfill interaction coefficient:  0.8
Wall-foundation soil interaction coefficient:  0.8
Percent coverage of geogrids:  100
Wall batter:  20°

External Stability of Wall

Factor of safety for sliding considerations:  1.5
Factor of safety for overturning considerations:  2.0

External Loading

Surcharge load = 100 psf at top of wall or 3:1 slope above wall

Bearing Conditions

Bearing soils shall be suitable for a maximum allowable net bearing pressure for the wall of at least 165*H (where H is in feet and the result is in psf) on natural soil or compacted fill. The allowable net bearing pressure must include a factor of safety of at least 3 against a general bearing capacity failure.

ALPENSTEIN DIMENSIONS & INFORMATION 

SPECIFICATIONS

ST. LOUIS COUNTY MASTER PLAN DESIGNS

PLANTING GUIDE

KIRCHNER BLOCK & BRICK, INC. MAIN OFFICE
12901 St. Charles Rock Road
Bridgeton, MO 63044
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