<p><p><h2>Commentary</h2>Typical contract pay items and units of measurement used for Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall systems (MSEW) include<br><ul> <li>Mechanically stabilized earth wall measured by the square foot (SF) – includes earth reinforcement elements, leveling pad (footing) and wall facing</li> <li>Embankment material measured by the cubic yard (CY) – some applications may require imported select fill</li></ul>The equipment used to construct MSEW systems is common to highway construction projects; therefore, additional mobilization costs are negligible.</p><p>Other work items associated with MSEW systems that should be considered when performing an initial cost estimate for comparison purposes between alternative embankment/retaining wall technologies include<br><ul> <li>Acquisition of right of way</li> <li>Stabilization of the embankment foundation</li> <li>Temporary and permanent erosion control measures</li> <li>Longitudinal roadway barriers (guard rail, cable barrier, parapet, etc.)</li></ul><h2>Cost Information Summary</h2>The following table lists construction cost items associated with MSEW systems, along with approximate cost ranges. Cost ranges are based on data from 2009 through 2011. Readers should carefully examine the project characteristics and constraints and determine to what degree if any these factors may influence the actual cost associated with constructing MSEW.</p><p><table class='tablepress' id='tablepress-109'><thead><th>Pay Item Description</th><th>Quantity</th><th>Unit</th><th>Low Unit Price</th><th>High Unit Price</th><th>Factors Which May Potentially Impact Costs</th></thead><tbody><tr><td >Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall</td><td >Greater Than 1,000</td><td >SF</td><td >$20.00</td><td >$50.00</td><td >Unit costs generally decrease as the area of wall increases due to efficiencies
Aesthetic wall finishes increase the wall cost
Reinforcement costs are influenced by the material specified (weight/strength)</td></tr><tr><td >Embankment</td><td >Greater Than
5,000
</td><td >CY</td><td >$-</td><td >$-</td><td >Use historical costs that are representative of the project quantity, project conditions, and project location
Adjust historical costs for embankment height and slightly lower production rates due to impacts of coordinating work with multiple layers of reinforcement
Adjust historical costs for select material if required</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Historical Cost Information</h2>A sample of actual project costs for MSEW is shown in the table below.</p><p><table class='tablepress' id='tablepress-110'><thead><th>Pay Item Description</th><th>Quantity</th><th>Unit</th><th>Low Unit Price</th><th>High Unit Price</th><th>Average Unit Price</th><th>No. of Bids</th><th>Bid Date</th><th>Source/Agency</th></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan=2 >Retaining Wall (Mechanically Stabilized Earth)</td><td >100,749</td><td >SF</td><td >$30.00</td><td >$54.00</td><td >$42.50</td><td >11</td><td >2/13/2009</td><td rowspan=2 >Arizona DOT</td></tr><tr><td >1,357</td><td >SF</td><td >$70.00</td><td >$140.00</td><td >$97.13</td><td >10</td><td >11/19/2009</td></tr><tr><td rowspan=3 >Retaining Wall, MSE</td><td >3,745</td><td >SF</td><td >$35.00</td><td >$50.00</td><td >$41.03</td><td >14</td><td >9/17/2009</td><td rowspan=3 >Oregon DOT</td></tr><tr><td >10,843</td><td >SF</td><td >$18.00</td><td >$65.2</td><td >$43.37</td><td >15</td><td >4/15/2010</td></tr><tr><td >9,800</td><td >SF</td><td >$37.00</td><td >$74.20</td><td >$61.65</td><td >8</td><td >5/27/2010</td></tr><tr><td >Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall</td><td >120,173</td><td >SF</td><td >$17.75</td><td >n/a</td><td >n/a</td><td >1</td><td >12/17/2009</td><td >Ohio DOT</td></tr><tr><td >Mechanically Stabilized Earth System, Integral Color Surface, Architectural Pattern (Form Liner or Stamped)</td><td >6,028</td><td >SF</td><td >$46.45</td><td >$56.21</td><td >$51.58</td><td >6</td><td >12/16/2010</td><td rowspan=3 >New York DOT</td></tr><tr><td >Mechanically Stabilized Earth System, No Color, Plain Concrete Surface</td><td >10,011</td><td >SF</td><td >$34.84</td><td >$87.79</td><td >$55.43</td><td >6</td><td >6/4/2009</td></tr><tr><td >Mechanically Stabilized Segmental Block Retaining Wall System</td><td >4,213</td><td >SF</td><td >$32.80</td><td >$60.39</td><td >$48.56</td><td >3</td><td >4/7/2011</td></tr><tr><td >Modular Concrete Retaining Wall</td><td >5,595</td><td >SF</td><td >$25.85</td><td >$33.00</td><td >$30.26</td><td >7</td><td >2/5/2010</td><td rowspan=8 >Michigan DOT</td></tr><tr><td >Modular Conc Block Retaining Wall</td><td >1,830</td><td >SF</td><td >$18.00</td><td >$27.00</td><td >$21.32</td><td >17</td><td >4/2/2010</td></tr><tr><td >MSE Wall Coping, CIP</td><td >312</td><td >LF</td><td >$85.00</td><td >$140.00</td><td >$109.52</td><td rowspan=6 >5</td><td rowspan=6 >8/6/2010</td></tr><tr><td >MSE Wall Coping, CIP</td><td >2,610</td><td >LF</td><td >$11.08</td><td >$33.40</td><td >$20.70</td></tr><tr><td >MSE Wall, Precast, Furn</td><td >59,734</td><td >SF</td><td >$11.50</td><td >$14.00</td><td >$12.34</td></tr><tr><td >MSE Wall, Precast, Install</td><td >59,734</td><td >SF</td><td >$4.15</td><td >$6.18</td><td >$5.23</td></tr><tr><td >MSE Wall, Wire Faced, Temp, Furn</td><td >1,421</td><td >SF</td><td >$8.95</td><td >$13.00</td><td >$10.67</td></tr><tr><td >MSE Wall, Wire Faced, Temp, Install</td><td >1,421</td><td >SF</td><td >$1.95</td><td >$15.40</td><td >$8.17</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Conceptual Cost Estimating Tool</h2>The conceptual cost estimating tool is intended to be used to develop a preliminary project scoping cost estimate. This preliminary estimate can be based on the typical construction cost item values as contained in the Cost Information product or from user specified cost values when such are known. Users should read and understand the information in Cost Information product prior to using the cost estimating tool. You can download the Cost Estimating Tool to open a cost estimating spreadsheet for producing a preliminary project scoping estimate.</p><p><a class="arrow-link" href="https://www.geoinstitute.org/sites/default/files/geotech-tools-uploads/… the Cost Estimating Tool</a></p></p>