Mastering The Intricacies Of Building A Superior Bottom-Up Retaining Wall (2024)

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In this episode, we talk with Kirsten Wilde Grant, P.E., a project engineer in Schnabel Engineering’s Geostructural group, about the challenges and intricacies of bottom-up retaining wall construction, and emerging trends and technologies shaping the future of geotechnical engineering.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Kristin:

• Can you explain bottom-up retaining wall construction and discuss some common challenges engineers encounter with this method?
• Can you give an example of why we would use a bottom-up retaining wall construction method?
• How important is it to include flexibility in the design of retaining walls and other geostructural projects?
• How can engineers use their willingness to put in effort and try new things to their advantage?
• How has your experience with field work impacted your engineering practice and helped you become a better engineer?
• How can we help students and early career engineers learn about the different specializations in geotechnical engineering and find their niche?
• How do different types of geotechnical engineers collaborate on large projects?
• What final piece of advice would you give to engineers aiming to make a significant impact in geotechnical engineering?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Mastering The Intricacies Of Building A Superior Bottom-Up Retaining Wall:

• Bottom-up retaining walls, a type of geoenvironmental containment system like soldier pile and lagging, are used when other solutions, such as MSE walls, aren’t suitable due to site conditions or stability issues. Key challenges include complex tieback installation and managing settlement behind the wall, requiring careful design and planning.
• A bottom-up retaining wall is used in areas with deep-seated failure zones, like slick and sited red bed material, where other methods like MSE walls would fail due to historic instabilities. This method stabilizes the site by addressing global stability and preventing long-term failure.
• Including flexibility in the design of retaining walls and geoenvironmental containment systems is crucial, as unforeseen issues like unexpected soil conditions or alignment changes can arise. Building in resilience helps manage these surprises and ensures the project can adapt and stay on track.
• Engineers can use their willingness to put in effort and try new things to their advantage by embracing challenges and learning from diverse experiences. This adaptability often leads to greater growth and success in their roles.
• Field work impacts engineering practice by offering a deeper understanding of soil behavior and constructability beyond theoretical knowledge. It also improves communication and problem-solving skills with contractors, resulting in more effective project execution.
• Professionals can help students and early career engineers explore different geotechnical specializations by offering internships, giving university talks, and sharing their own experiences. This exposure helps them discover their interests and find the right career path.
• Different types of geotechnical engineers collaborate on large projects by sharing expertise through geotechnical reports and working closely with local specialists. This teamwork ensures a comprehensive understanding of site conditions and leads to more effective and accurate solutions.
• Engineers aiming to make a significant impact should embrace diverse challenges, gain broad experiences, and connect with colleagues. This approach not only expands their knowledge but also opens up more opportunities for growth and impact.

More Details in This Episode…

About the Guest: Kirsten Wilde Grant, P.E.

Kirsten Wilde Grant is a Project Engineer in Schnabel Engineering’s Geostructural group, focusing on earth retention and foundation design. She earned her B.S. in Civil Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology and her M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, with a Geotechnical Engineering focus, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Kirsten is passionate about design and construction of retaining walls, support of excavations, and geotechnical foundations as well as mentoring the future generations to succeed in this industry.

About the Host: Jared M. Green, P.E.,BC.GE, F.ASCE

Jared, originally from southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduated from Syracuse University’s College of Engineering in 2001 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He later went on to attain his M.S. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Focus) from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Campaign, in 2002. In 2003, he began working in the New York City office of Langan. He has since become a Principal / Vice President and is one of the owners of this international land development engineering consulting firm. After 15 years at Langan, Jared moved to the Philadelphia office and is one of the geotechnical practice leaders in that office.

Jared is a consultant and team leader who also enjoys mentoring young engineers and first-generation college students. He has been instrumental in increasing the number of pre-college students who are interested in STEAM majors and fields. He strives to make complex engineering topics relatable and understandable to people new to the field and to people who are completely unfamiliar with engineering. Jared and his family currently reside in Flemington, New Jersey. He and his wife have three energetic, inquisitive, and awesome children. You can connect with Jaredhere.

Sources/References:

Schnabel Engineering
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Haley and Aldrich
Virginia Tech
Geo Institute
Structural Engineering Institute (SEI)
Geo Congress 2016
Connect with Kirsten Wilde Grant, P.E., on LinkedIn

This Episode Is Brought to You by PPI

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Please leave your comments or questions in the section below on building a superior bottom-up retaining wall.

To your success,

Jared M. Green, P.E.,BC.GE, F.ASCE
Host of The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast