Geotechnical Aspects of a 16 m High Steep Embankment in Eastern Pennsylvania

Abstract

This paper presents the geotechnical investigations, analyses of data, design requirements and proposed construction methods for a steep embankment in eastern Pennsylvania. As part of the improvements to the I-81 Exit 178-Avoca/Airport Interchange project, a new 1.4 km road is proposed between the interchange and a nearby industrial park. The new road will be constructed mostly on embankment fill. At one point, the road is required to pass between two existing airport runway light towers. Due to an existing valley in this vicinity and the geometric constraints of the light towers, the proposed embankment fill in this area reaches a maximum of approximately 16 m in height with slopes as steep as 0.6 horizontal to 1 vertical (0.6H:1V). The project site is located within the Northern Anthracite coal fields. Historical mine data indicate that the anthracite coal is characterized by extensive abandoned surface and underground mine workings. The critical nature of existing towers, along with difficult subsurface conditions at the project site, results in several geotechnical challenges in design of the steep embankment for the new road. This paper focuses on the proposed steep slopes at the runway tower site and presents investigations and analyses performed by Gannett Fleming including mine void identification, potential settlement estimates due to mine subsidence and stability issues of the steep embankment. Additional considerations presented include grout stabilization of mine voids and settlement monitoring.

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