This document provides an overview of MSE berm design, construction, and monitoring. It discusses conceptual layout and site investigation for design, as well as design considerations for soil, geosynthetics, and stability analysis. Construction aspects like subgrade preparation, reinforcement installation, and inspection are reviewed. Long-term monitoring of berms through instrumentation and inspections is also emphasized. The document is presented by ARM Group Inc., an engineering firm experienced in MSE berm projects.

1. What You Need to Know
About MSE Berms
March 27, 2017

2. Overview
• MSE Berm Design
• MSE Berm Construction
• MSE Berm Monitoring
ARM Group Inc.
A Technically Oriented Earth Sciences & Engineering Firm 2

3. 3
MSE Berm Design
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

4. MSE Berm Design
4
Conceptual Layout:
• Geometric optimization
Thorough Site Investigation:
• Soil borings/test pits
• Laboratory testing
• Groundwater
characterization
• Field reconnaissance
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

5. MSE Berm Design
5ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.
How Tall to Make Berm
Costs & Losses
Total Harms

6. MSE Berm Design
6
Design Considerations
Soil specifications:
• What soil is available and from where will it be sourced? Soil can greatly impact
project economics.
• Does soil require special processing or drainage features to be installed within
MSE berm?
• Any special conformance testing?
• What is the strength of the soil?
• What stress conditions will be present?
Geosynthetic reinforcement specifications:
• What are the appropriate reduction factors?
• Any special conformance testing?
Subgrade/Subsurface conditions:
• Any subgrade requirements? Drainage? Rate of construction and/or
consolidation?
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

7. MSE Berm Design
7ARM Group Inc.
• Determine “critical” stability sections
based upon geometry, existing conditions,
loading conditions, etc.
• Iterative process to ensure adequate factors
of safety for internal, global, and
compound stability.
• Geosynthetic reinforcement elements are
lengthened, shortened, or strengths are
changed to get adequate factors of safety.
• Great advancements in slope stability
software in the past 10 years.
Slope Stability Analysis

8. MSE Berm Design
8
• Additional cross-sections can optimize
geosynthetic reinforcement design (i.e.,
reduce required length and/or spacing
requirements and consequently, costs).
• Optimize design for a consistent factor of
safety throughout the length of the berm.
• Review design for conflicts with
infrastructure.
Geogrid Optimization
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.
DRAINAGE! DRAINAGE! DRAINAGE!

9. MSE Berm Design
9
Design Insights
 Experienced geotechnical engineers familiar with MSE berm design are critically
important. Additionally, experienced design engineers can save client significant
money in Total Project Cost.
 If geosynthetic reinforcement vendors are used during the design, global &
compound stability must be independently confirmed by geotechnical engineer.
 Design guidance provided by FHWA Publications:
• Slopes vs. Walls
• Fine vs. Coarse Grained Soils
• Performance Criteria
• Design Life
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

10. MSE Berm Design
10
Unique ARM Designs
• Solar Integrated MSE Berm (patented)
• MSE Berm on Waste Subgrade
• Alternative Backfill (crushed
asphalt/brick/concrete) [ABC Material]
• Shored MSE Berms
• Soft, Saturated Subgrade
• Ash Backfill MSE Berm
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

11. Innovation
11
 ARM patented technology.
 Anchors for the solar panels are
installed within the MSE berm.
 Photovoltaic solar panels are attached
to the anchors along the face of the
MSE berm.
 Important environmental benefits.
 Maximization of the revenue
generating area at a facility.
Solar-integrated MSE Berms
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

12. Innovation
12
 The availability and cost of suitable
structural fill will significantly impact
the bottom-line of an MSE berm
project.
 Crushed concrete, asphalt, and
masonry may be a suitable backfill
source.
 ARM designed an MSE berm using
incinerator ash as backfill for a landfill
in Pennsylvania.
Alternative Backfill / Beneficial Reuse
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

13. MSE BERM CONSTRUCTION
13ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

14. MSE Berm Construction
14
Typical Facing Detail
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

15. MSE Berm Construction
15
Subgrade Preparation and
MSE Berm Construction
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

16. MSE Berm Construction
16
Welded wire form and biaxial
(facing) geogrid installation
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

17. MSE Berm Construction
17
Installation of ECM
following biaxial
geogrid.
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

18. MSE Berm Construction
18
Setting uniaxial
geogrid following
installation of ECM
and biaxial geogrid.
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

19. MSE Berm Construction
19
Uniaxial geogrid, ECM,
and bodkin connection
installation

20. MSE Berm Construction
ARM Group Inc.
20
Separation of uniaxial geogrid and
reinforced backfill installation.

21. MSE Berm Construction
21
Progression of reinforced
backfill installation and
interior slope grading
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

22. MSE Berm Construction
22
Liner installation
on interior slope of
MSE berm.
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

23. MSE Berm Construction
23
Utilities atop MSE
berm crest and
access road.
Protective cover
visible on slope,
leachate pump system
riser pipes, valve
vault, anchor trench
low-perm soil, litter
control fence poles,
and stormwater
management channel.
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

24. MSE Berm Construction
24
Utilities atop MSE
berm crest and
access road.
Litter control fence
poles, and
stormwater
management drop
inlet channel with
trash rack – future
tie-in for final cover
system downchute.
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

25. MSE Berm Construction
25
Options:
45’ tall steel litter
control fence poles,
heavy duty
guiderail, security
fence, and access
road pavement.
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

26. MSE Berm Construction
26
Vegetated MSE berm facing
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

27. MSE Berm Construction
27ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

28. MSE Berm Construction
28
 Construction inspection and testing are
critical for MSE berm projects
 Experienced construction monitors are
essential
 Experienced contractors can make a
large difference in project success
 Quality construction materials are
important
 Construction inspection certification
provides added assurance to stakeholders
Construction-Phase Engineering and Construction Quality Assurance
Experienced construction-phase engineering and CQA are essential for MSE berm
projects to be completed on-time, within budget, and in accordance with the permitted
design and CQA Plan.
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

29. MSE BERM MONITORING
29ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

30. MSE Berm Monitoring
30
Possible Instrumentation:
 Settlement Plates
 Survey Monuments
 Inclinometers
MSE berms should be inspected on a regular basis.
Inclinometers are the most prevalent.
 Provide continuous monitoring of displacement
throughout the MSE berm and subgrade profile.
Visual Inspections
 Should be completed by a PE with MSE berm
experience.
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

31. MSE Berm Monitoring
31
Projects should develop a comprehensive Monitoring, Maintenance, & Inspection Plan.
Monitoring Program:
• Instrumentation Readings
• Data Analyzation
Inspection Program:
• Routine site inspections
• PE inspections
• Erosion, vegetation, geogrid
assessment, movement, etc.
• Annual alignment survey
Maintenance Program:
• Vegetation maintenance
• Stormwater channel maintenance
• Roadway maintenance
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

32. Thank You
32
Questions?
Benjamin S. Allen, P.E.
ARM Group Inc.
ballen@armgroup.net
Phone: (717) 250-5581
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.

33. ARM Group Inc.
33
 Established in 1998
 Civil and Environmental Engineering Firm
 Full suite of services to support
the solid waste industry
 Office & Personnel Locations:
o Hershey, PA (HQ)
o State College, PA
o Wilkes-Barre, PA
o Pittsburgh, PA
o Columbia, MD
 MSE berm designs at landfills in
PA, CT, & MA
ARM Group Inc.
Vision. Partnership. Results.