STABILIZING A HILLSIDE ENABLES MALL TO OPEN ON TIME

During construction of the Watchung Square Mall, a large hillside slope failed, producing a scarp ranging from 5 to 15 feet high and 2,000 feet long. Because the hillside was creeping at up to one inch per week, the project owner asked Langan to expedite a rigorous design-build geotechnical engineering schedule to protect the integrity of site features so construction could continue.

To stabilize the slope, Langan designed a steel sheet-pile wall tied back with multiple levels of double corrosion-protected soil anchors to withstand predicted forces of the creeping hillside. The wall was built in a “top-down” manner to provide adequate interim support throughout construction.

Langan also provided survey monitoring and engineering inspection both during and after construction to ensure stability of the wall. We also designed a system of horizontal drains to relieve any future build-up of hydrostatic pressure. Our ability to maintain a rigorous schedule allowed the mall to open on time.