Project Overview

Dewey Avenue in West Rutland, Vermont is situated atop a steep embankment that collapsed due to the combined weight of the road and the subbase. The project scope included rebuilding the embankment with stone buttressing and repairing the roadway above. The project team included Otter Creek Engineering and Belden Construction.

Design Challenges

The steep embankment that supported the roadway collapsed under the weight of the traditional stone aggregate used in the road’s base. Repairing the embankment and restoring the roadway required a lightweight fill with both high compressive strength and effective drainage to reduce the load on the slope. The preexisting embankment’s weight exceeded its load-bearing capacity at the steep angle. Project managers needed a long-term solution that would restore the roadway and prevent further erosion while protecting the surrounding natural environment.

Glavel as a Solution

The project team used 8 feet of compacted Glavel to raise the grade of the roadway without adding excessive weight to the embankment. Once compacted, Glavel provided the necessary structural support for the roadway while relieving pressure on the supporting buttresses. This contributed to the long term stability of the slope and minimized concerns with the roadway’s longevity.