Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 23

Leveraging soil
nail technology for
MSE retaining wall
GeoStabilization International uses design-build
solution for urban condominium retaining
wall rehabilitation
By Steve Poole, P.E., F.ASCE
T
he Domain at Phipps Plaza is a luxury condominium development
in the well-traveled and populated urban area of Buckhead
in Atlanta, Ga. This 319-unit mid-rise residential complex is within
a mixed-use area that incorporates hotels, office space, high-end
shopping, theaters and restaurants.
This condominium complex has a 610-foot (185.9 m) long
mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall that borders the
fill section supporting the building structure and an adjacent parking
facility. The MSE wall varies in height from 4 to 29 feet (1.2 to
8.8 m) tall. In mid-2017, stress cracks in the blocks were observed at
various locations and heights and in a consistent fashion, and visible
bulging was evident in the wall.
It quickly became apparent to the complex owner that to keep
residents safe and ensure no disruption to this densely populated area,
a structural assessment was required. Equally important to the owner
was that any necessary structural repair would be performed with
minimal disruption to the residents and adjacent businesses while
also maintaining the high aesthetics that those in the area appreciate.
The owner engaged a local engineering firm who determined that
an immediate structural repair of the entire MSE wall was needed.
The owner also hired a structural engineering firm and required
third-party owner representation during the design and construction
phase to ensure an immediate repair was achieved while ensuring
long-term building and site integrity.
After interviewing multiple firms and reviewing multiple designconstruct
proposals, GeoStabilization International was ultimately
entrusted to design and construct this emergency repair project.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
SOIL NAIL TECHNOLOGY FOR
MSE RETAINING WALL
OWNER
Phipps Plaza Residential Partners, LP
LOCATION
Atlanta, Ga.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Amicus Construction
PRINCIPAL
Robert Shaw
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER
Reid Bailey, P.E.
REGIONAL ENGINEER
Dru Miller
PROJECT MANAGER
Jared McDowell
Steve Poole is a senior engineer at
GeoStabilization International (GSI). He has
over 25 years of experience with public
and private markets providing geohazard
assessments and construction repairs along
with bridge, culvert, engineered slope,
and wall solutions from the concept phase
through final plans and construction.
All photos courtesy of GeoStabilization International
GeosyntheticsMagazine.com
23

http://www.GeosyntheticsMagazine.com

Geosynthetics October/November 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Geosynthetics October/November 2023

Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - Cover1
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - Cover2
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 1
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 2
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 3
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 4
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 5
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 6
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 7
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 8
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 9
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 10
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 11
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 12
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 13
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 14
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 15
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 16
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 17
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 18
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 19
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 20
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 21
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 22
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 23
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 24
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 25
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 26
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 27
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 28
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 29
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 30
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 31
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 32
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 33
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 34
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 35
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 36
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 37
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 38
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 39
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 40
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 41
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 42
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 43
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - 44
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - Cover3
Geosynthetics October/November 2023 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-december-2024-january-2025
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-october-november-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-july-august-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-case-studies-guide-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-april-may-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-february-march-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-december-2023-january-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-october-november-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geoysynthetics-august-september-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-june-july-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-april-may-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-february-march-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-december-2022-january-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-october-november-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-august-september-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-june-july-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-april-may-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-february-march-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-december-2021-january-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-october-november-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-august-september-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-june-july-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-april-may-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-february-march-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/1220GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/1020GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/0820GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/0620GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/0420GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/0220GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/1219GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/1019GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/0819GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/0619GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/0419GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/0219GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/1218GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/1018GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/0818GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/0618GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/0418GS
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/0218GS
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com