In recent years, the banks of the section of Fred Creek running through the Oral Roberts University campus had begun eroding, threatening slope stability and associated utilities. The city of Tulsa, Okla., sought to expand the channel and

stabilize its banks while providing an attractive green area for parks and trails. For biodiversity and safety purposes, the project owner requested that the contours of the renovated channel mirror those of the natural channel as closely as possible.

Using a design created by Ryan Mittasch, P.E., of Tetra Tech, the Fred Creek Drainage Improvements project team commenced work in 2007. Redi-Rock retaining walls, manufactured by SI Precast and comprised of 9-in. setback blocks, were specified to line the creek and control erosion.

“We have found in the past on similar projects that the smaller retaining wall blocks just won’t handle the velocity of the water,” said Bill Robinson, P.E., project manager and then senior storm water design engineer for the city of Tulsa.

While Crossland Heavy Construction installed the walls, Fred Creek’s flow was diverted to one side to allow for construction on its opposite bank, then vice versa.

As a finishing touch, landscape architect Mike Peters of Alaback Design Associates designed a plan to create a healthier ecosystem by including a natural creek bottom and extensive plantings. Many of the plants were species native to eastern Oklahoma and chosen for their erosion control properties. Construction was completed in Spring 2009.

Fred Creek Drainage Improvements

Cost: $15 millionSize: 68,000 sq ftDesigner: Ryan Mittasch, P.E., Tetra TechContractor: Crossland Heavy ConstructionOwner: City of Tulsa, Okla.

NO GEOGRID OR TIE-BACKSIn Many Applications

REDI-ROCK most competition™

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More setback to property lineLess Setback to property line

NO GEOGRID OR TIE-BACKSIn Many Applications

REDI-ROCK most competition™

geogrid

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IGH

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More setback to property lineLess Setback to property line

BEFORE

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“Using Redi-Rock simplified construc-tion greatly,” reports Joe Kowalski, P.E., principal of Kowalski Engineer-ing. “We just built the Redi-Rock wall, put beams on it and walked away.” Clermont County saved precious time and money by using Redi-Rock precast retaining wall blocks to con-struct the abutments for this Ohio bridge. Originally, the county con-sidered using cast-in-place bridge abutments. But since construction needed to take place in the dead of

winter, the county needed a solution that wouldn’t require provisions for heating and curing.

When Kowalski recommended us-ing Redi-Rock to construct the abut-ments, the choice was clear. By us-ing Redi-Rock’s massive one-ton retaining wall blocks, the county was able to construct the walls faster than cast-in-place. Additionally, the walls required less reinforcement than oth-er options and provided the quarried stone look the county wanted. Fast in-

stallation and the ability to build walls up to 15 feet without reinforcement are the reasons engineers across the country are specifying Redi-Rock.

Simplify construction on your next storm water project—specify Redi-Rock today.

www.redi-rock.com866 222-8400

“REDI-ROCK SIMPLIFIED

CONSTRUCTION”- Joe Kowalski, PE

You can install bridge abutments faster and with less reinforcement when you use Redi-Rock retaining walls

NO GEOGRID OR TIE-BACKS

IN MANY APPLICATIONS

FREE GRAVITY ANALYSIS SOFTWAREDOWNLOADREDI-ROCK WALL

© copyrighted Scranton Gillette Communication, Inc.Reprinted with permission from STORM WATER SOLUTIONS November/December 2009 10062