Are you getting ready to start construction on a permanent soldier pile and lagging wall? First, you’ll have to create a submittal package and get approval from your local governing authority.
The key to preparing a successful submittal package is understanding what reviewers are looking for. Here’s a closer look at what you should include in these packages – including specifications for precast lagging panels, structural calculations, and much more.
What Your Submittal Package Should Feature
Putting together a submittal package for a soldier pile and lagging wall can get complicated, but having a template to follow goes a long way toward preempting requests for information. Your package needs to include:
1. Concrete Mix Information
If you’re planning to construct a temporary soldier pile and lagging wall, you’re free to choose between precast concrete and timber lagging panels. That’s not the case for permanent walls – timber can’t provide the longevity these projects call for. In contrast, the National Precast Concrete Association has said precast concrete can deliver a service life of 50-100 years.
However, some types of concrete are stronger and more durable than others. Because of that, you’ll need to share details about the concrete mix you plan to use for your precast lagging panels and the exposure class your concrete will fall into.
2. Shop Drawings
Shop drawings are a crucial part of any submittal package, including soldier pile and lagging wall proposals. These visual plans give contractors and engineers a chance to explain construction projects in great detail, making them an indispensable asset when you’re trying to get approval for this work.
Ideally, your shop drawings should address topics like concrete rebar, lifting, and tolerances. They should also include:
- Comparative information. A shop drawing’s level of detail makes it helpful to everyone working on your project. Because of that, it’s wise to include details that help these people compare specifications and drawings.
- Fabrications. Including fabrication instructions and manufacturing standards for the materials used in your wall project will make things much easier for your fabricators.
- Verified dimensions. Your project’s initial drawings and construction documents will also include site dimensions, but these can change over time. To avoid unexpected issues, you should also verify the true dimensions of your site and include them in your shop drawings.
- Annotations. If you make any changes to your shop drawings, you’ll need to annotate them to keep everyone looking at these documents on the same page.
3. Structural Calculations
If you’re about to start a new construction project, you shouldn’t have any doubts about the costs and risks that will come with this work. To keep uncertainties to a minimum, you’ll have to create a structural calculations report.
The term “structural calculations” covers any mathematical calculation that can help you prepare for a construction project. Your efforts to determine earth pressures, concrete PSI, surcharges, and seismic loads (where applicable) will all fall into this category. By taking this process seriously (and including your findings in your submittal package), you’ll set realistic expectations for the resources, costs, and risks associated with retaining wall construction.
4. Connection Details
Concrete lagging panels aren’t designed to work in isolation; instead, these components connect to other panels and soldier piles. To function as intended, these panels must have joints that allow for seamless connections. Your submittal package needs to let reviewers know how this will happen by providing relevant details.
5. Drainage and Routing Information
If your soldier pile and lagging wall doesn’t have sufficient drainage, hydrostatic pressure will start to build up as a direct result. Since this pressure is a major cause of retaining wall failure, reviewers want to learn about drainage and routing strategies while reviewing submittal packages for these projects.
That means detailed information on drainage strategies should appear in your retaining wall submittal package. It’s also important to clarify how you’ll re-route the water that drains from your wall – if you don’t take this into account, that water could cause erosion problems.
6. Quality Control Plans
One of the primary goals of any submittal package is to ensure projects won’t run into quality control problems. By including technical data sheets and product data sheets, you can demonstrate that your wall’s materials meet relevant industry standards.
Assembly documents go one step further by showing how different materials function while working together. Manufacturing plant certifications can provide even more reassurance, letting reviewers know your materials come from a trustworthy source.
7. Other Relevant Details
While the documents and details listed above are must-haves for retaining wall submittal packages, they aren’t the only things you should include. Safety data sheets, product brochures, physical material samples, and any other information required by your local governing authority are also vital.
Why Are Permanent Retaining Wall Plans Rejected?
Even if you put serious thought and effort into your submittal package, there’s a chance that reviewers will still find problems with it. Some omissions that can lead to trouble include:
Incomplete lifting and handling engineering. Precast concrete panel installation is an elaborate process involving heavy equipment. Because of that, submittals that don’t include details about lifting points and other handling-related concerns are at risk of not getting approved.
Unclear tolerances. Precast lagging panels need to meet your exact specifications for pile spacing variability and thickness (among other things). It’s in your best interest to add these details to your submittal package.
Not including corrosion protection details. Corrosion damage can pose serious problems for steel rebar and other metal components used in precast lagging panels. If you don’t have a plan for controlling the effects of corrosion on your wall, reviewers might reject your proposal or submit a request for information.
A lack of repair/patch criteria. No permanent retaining wall will stay in good shape forever without occasional maintenance. Be sure to share information on your maintenance strategy in your submittal package.
Know Where to Get Your Precast Lagging Panels for Permanent Retaining Walls
While pursuing approval for a retaining wall project, you’ll need to reassure reviewers that your project uses high-quality materials. Since precast lagging panels play an essential role in permanent soldier pile and lagging walls, finding a reliable supplier for these components is a must.
When you buy lagging panels from American Precast Concrete Inc., you’ll get made-to-order precast concrete that delivers the exact performance and appearance you need. Contact us today if you’re ready to get started!