GeoWall
GeoWall is a competitive project where we build a soil nail wall using poster board and kraft paper to hold back over 500lbs of sand! The competitive portion of this project is where we have to use the least amount of kraft paper reinforcement to hold back the retained soil and design loads. While this is the main challenge in the project, understanding and applying concepts like soil mechanics and reinforcement properties is equally challenging and important.
In Fall Quarter, we first conduct laboratory tests, introducing new members to several testing procedures, including sieve analysis and the triaxial shear test. Using the data from our tests, we develop an optimal design for the kraft paper reinforcements and its arrangement onto the poster board wall. We also construct an apparatus called a sandbox which encases the poster-board MSE wall. The sandbox must have an open top and removable front and side panels that are removed to expose the MSE wall during testing at the competition. When the wall and sandbox are complete, we place the wall inside the sandbox and finally subject our wall to testing. We load the sand into the sandbox, detach its removable panels, and add a vertical surcharge just 1 inch away from the wall. We practice this overall process several times prior to the competition as the setup and testing processes are the same. In our practice, we make sure to carry out the procedures carefully and efficiently because there is a penalty for losing backfill and exceeding the time limit in the competition.
In Fall Quarter, we first conduct laboratory tests, introducing new members to several testing procedures, including sieve analysis and the triaxial shear test. Using the data from our tests, we develop an optimal design for the kraft paper reinforcements and its arrangement onto the poster board wall. We also construct an apparatus called a sandbox which encases the poster-board MSE wall. The sandbox must have an open top and removable front and side panels that are removed to expose the MSE wall during testing at the competition. When the wall and sandbox are complete, we place the wall inside the sandbox and finally subject our wall to testing. We load the sand into the sandbox, detach its removable panels, and add a vertical surcharge just 1 inch away from the wall. We practice this overall process several times prior to the competition as the setup and testing processes are the same. In our practice, we make sure to carry out the procedures carefully and efficiently because there is a penalty for losing backfill and exceeding the time limit in the competition.
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Our Geowall Build Team competing at PSWS 2025 at Cal Poly Pomona.
We have been doing the GeoWall project and competing in PSWS (Pacific Southwest Symposium) since 2010. In 2015, we received second place in the regional PSWS GeoWall competition. We also placed sixth at Geo-Congress in our national GeoWall competition in that same year. In 2018, we received fourth place in the PSWS GeoWall competition. In 2019, we placed 1st in design report and third overall in our national competition. Also, in 2020 we placed fourth in our national competition and first in the regional PSWS competition. We hope to keep it up and work harder than ever this year to earn the top spot in future competitions.
Our Scooby Doo themed GeoWall at UCLA box!
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Our Geowall 2024 Build Team at University of Hawaii at Manoa!
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GeoWall 2018 Promotional Video
Geowall crew at PSWS Banquet!
Gallery
Contact
To do well at competition, we do a lot of practice! This requires us to purchase extra sets of project materials like poster board, backfill, kraft paper, and plywood. We would really appreciate it if you can help us fund this project. Please contact our Project Managers for more information.
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