Reinforced Soil Structures – BS 8006-1 2010

Steve Corbet

BS 8006- Reinforced and Strengthened Soils has been in use since 1995 however market and design experience has necessitated some revision and enhancement to the original document. This was finalised in late 2010 and was issued to the market. The use of soil reinforced structures, particularly in applications of reinforced basal treatments under embankments or over piles is gaining wide spread acceptance in Australia over recent years. Generally the design of such structures follows no national code with very little local guidance. The talk will cover current overseas design practice in the use of this BS8006 standard for design of soil reinforced walls and slopes with reference to some limited design codes that have been implemented by Road Authorities here in Australia.

An example would be the Queensland Department of Transport Specification TMR 11.06. The talk will also discuss major design differences between alternate European Codes for such structures and BS8006. The talk will focus on the use of geosynthetics as a reinforcing element. General discussion will also talk about conformance testing and acceptance as well as specification techniques to accurately describe product required. Samples of products applicable to the uses discussed will be given out to attendees.

Speaker Bio

Steve is responsible for the technical performance of the AECOM Ground Technology Group (27 years service) including the management of projects to ensure that the best possible solutions for geotechnical aspects are delivered. He is one of the UK’s leading independent experts in the designing, specifying and standardization of geosynthetics. Steve has written a large number of technical and project papers, related to the design and specification of geosynthetic materials. Steve has been the Chairman of BSI Committee B526/4 since 1998 – Reinforced and Strengthened Soils, BS 8006. He is Chairman of the BSi Technical Committee B553 – Geosynthetics, has represented the UK on the CEN Technical Committee TC189 for the preparation of geosynthetics application, testing and certification standards since 1990 working on all of the WGs. He will be appointed to be Chairman of the ISO Technical Committee TC221 Geosynthetics from Jan 2012. Steve is a past Council member of International Geosynthetics Society where he served as the Chairman of the Technical Committee the produce the IGS Guide to the Specification of Geosynthetics and the first series of training lectures.

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