Abstract:
Since the first installation of barrier walls in a Mississippi River levee south of Memphis, TN in 1945, the US Army Corps of Engineers has been actively addressing seepage issues around dams and levees. Over the past 80 years, barrier walls have been installed across a diverse range of foundation materials, including loose sands, karstic limestone, and various other complex geologic settings. The evolution of barrier wall technology has seen significant advancements, with dozens of installations on USACE dams and hundreds of miles of levees. This presentation will offer a historical overview of barrier wall implementation by USACE and explore the current practices and technologies in use today.