Technical evaluation reports provide a summary of the technical review. The final report helps state and local agencies to evaluate the ERS more efficiently and advance the dissemination of ERS technology to the construction industry. The state or local transportation agencies are responsible for the overall approval of an ERS for use on their projects. The extent to which an agency chooses to approve a specific ERS is completely left to the agency. It is also important to note that no particular ERS is suitable for all conditions because site-specific factors can influence ERS selection.

Technical evaluation reports of earth retaining systems (ERS) under the IDEA program include a technical review of the system and its components including the following:

• Components - drawings, specifications and test results for components
• Design - design methodology used to model earth pressures, evaluate system components and system performance (e.g. deformation and design life), and provide calculations for a typical structure
• Construction Procedures - recommended procedures used to construct the ERS
• Quality Control Measures - applicable to the structure design, component fabrication and ERS construction
• System Performance History - relevant performance case histories of the ERS

Disclaimer: The information found in these evaluation reports is neither an endorsement nor an approval of a technology. Instead, the information is intended to provide the reader with accurate information and/or credible analysis.