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Soil Cement Case
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Soil-Cement Stands the Test of Near Record
Breaking Rainfall in Southern California
Mark E. Krebs, P.E., President – Pacific Advanced Civil
Engineering, Inc. (PACE)
 It
has been less than two years since the Los Angeles County Department
of Public Works (LADPW) officially approved soil-cement use for
bank protection and less than six years since the first application
was constructed in the County. The soil cement has already been
subject to a major durability test. The 2004-2005 winter rain season
is the second wettest on record for Los Angeles with 38.18 inches,
which is less than one inch from breaking the record.
 In
the City of Santa Clarita’s Newhall area, where most of the
soil-cement bank protection has been applied in Los Angeles County,
nearly 51 inches has fallen this season. While many unstabilized
areas, as well as areas protected by bank protection methods suffered
damage, soil-cement in these areas has functioned faultlessly. With
its natural appearance many nearby residents, unaware of its existence,
have inquired if any flood control measures are in place on the
Santa Clara River at all.
 A
major test of soil-cement bank protection came during the heavy
rains for the 33-acre site of the William S. Hart Baseball &
Softball League fields in Santa Clarita. Historically, this area
has been subject to major flooding during even minor rain events.
In response, Newhall Land commissioned 3,500 linear feet (25,000
cubic yards) of soil-cement bank protection to be placed along the
Santa Clara River and South Fork confluence with a cement content
ranging from 6.5% to 8%. Construction of the bank protection was
complete in the fall of 2004, just in time for the rain season.
In January, when a large portion of the major storm events took
place, baseball tryouts went on as schedule since no areas on the
site were compromised by flooding.
| Hart Pony Soil-Cement Bank Protection
Statistics |
| Amount of Placement |
3,500 linear feet (25,000 cubic yards) |
| Cement Content |
6.5 – 8% (2,400 tons) |
| Average Height |
23 feet |
| Average Width |
8 feet |
|
Slope Placement |
1:1 to 1.25:1 |
To read more about the background on soil-cement approval for bank
protection in Los Angeles County, click
here.
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More on Soil Cement:
Overview
Embankment Slope Protection
Bank Protection/Levees
Drop and Grade Control Structures
Liners
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Southern California Case Study
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Dam and Reservoir Case Study
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