Reinforced Soil Slopes

Reinforced soil slopes (RSS) combine tensile inclusions (typically geosynthetic reinforcement) with soil to create a composite material. The facing for a reinforced soil slope is typically determined based on the the slope angle. Vegetation is typically used for slope angles less than 45 degrees and hard armoring is typically used for slopes steeper than 45 degrees. RSS is typically more economical than mechanically stabilized earth walls because the cost of the facing is typically several dollars per square foot less than for a wall.

The Collin Group has been design engineer of record for over 100 RSSs over the past decade, including a creek diversion at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.