Mass Gravity Retaining Walls
2020
ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA - REGION III - Philippines
Community Innovations (An Ayala Land Company)
MARQUEE PLACE SUBDIVISION (PHASE I)
Problem
Marquee Place is a 35-hectare residential community under the development of Community Innovations, an Ayala Land Company, and is said to be the first ever master planned and fully-integrated community in the North and Central Luzon. The community is located adjacent and just eight meters above the Abacan River. The existing perimeter slopes were found to be prone to failures owing to lahar sand deposits vastly found in the area. A series of torrential rainfalls has eroded portions of the perimeter slopes, which exposed the vulnerability of the community against mass wasting, and could lead to more damages if not addressed immediately.
Solution
The solutions were divided into three phases: 1) Phase I – gabion gravity retaining wall, 2) Phase II – longitudinal protection, and 3) Phase III – scouring protection mattress at the toe of gabion wall. These solutions have been approved by the customer, its Project Consultant (ARUP Philippines), and the General Contractor (PNCDC). In Phase I, Maccaferri engineers recommended polymeric-coated gabions for gravity wall. It can be noted that the gabion wall has been approved due to its structural integrity, flexibility (allows certain degree of movement), free-drainage capability (reducing pore water pressure), economy, and ease of installation.