The Use of Deep Soil Mixing as Channel Slope Stabilization Method—US Army Corps of Engineers Bechara Middle Section Project Case Study

Abstract

This project describes and validates the design of a slope stabilization technique for the Bechara Middle Section (BMS) channel located in the Bechara Industrial Area, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The BMS project consisted of approximately 720-foot earth open-channel and is a subcomponent of the Rio Puerto Nuevo Flood Control Project constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Pre-construction soil conditions in the site consisted of soft clays and organic material that precluded the excavation of the proposed channel geometry. The soil slope stabilization design option for the BMS was two continuous soil treated zones, A and B, by means of improving the existing soft soil conditions with the technology of Deep Soil Mixing. The slope stability of the channel was analyzed by modeling the improved soil in GeoStudio-Slope/W and was found to be in compliance with the required safety design factors.