Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Pollution Control Department
Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District
June 2003
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Project Name:
Forced Drainage System 4-8 Levee
Location:
Montegut, LA
Owner:
Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Pollution Control
Department
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Contractor:
Dolphin Services
Engineer:
T. Baker Smith & Son, Inc.
Date:
June 2003
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Project Scope
The original levee was constructed using poor soils and
debris. Therefore, eliminating piping and throughseepage was the major objective in the levee improvement project. It was determined that driving steel sheet
piling into the center of the levee would be the most effective solution to prevent seepage and piping. The sheet
piling solution was also the most cost effective. Later in
the design process, vinyl sheet piling was approved as an
acceptable alternative material and was ultimately chosen
over steel for its lifecycle and low cost. Due to the cost
savings provided over steel, the project scope was adjusted from 7,000 linear feet to 14,000 linear feet.
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Construction
Vinyl sheet piling was installed using a steel mandrel and a
vibratory hammer. The mandrel was used at the leading
edge of the bottom of the sheet pile to aid in penetration
through resistant materials.
Background
On June 30th, 2003, Tropical Storm Bill reached a peak
intensity of 60 mph (95 km/h), one hour before making
landfall in southwestern Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.
The low-lying town of Montegut, Louisiana, was severely
flooded when the hurricane overtopped the local levee by
6 inches. The Terrebonne Parish Office of Public Works
proposed construction of an emergency floodwall on the
Forced Drainage System 4-8 Levee.
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The sheet pile installation was inspected by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers for the study of The Long-Term Applications of Vinyl Sheet Piling. (AUG 2003)
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Wall Specifications
CL9900
Depth
20 ft
6m
Length
14,000 ft
4,267 m
Wall Area
280,000 ft²
26,013 m²
Performance
The performance of the wall has been excellent, even
after the effects of six hurricanes, including Katrina. The
piping and through-seepage has been completely eliminated.
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Inspected by the U.S.A.C.E for the study of The Long-Term
Applications of Vinyl Sheet Piling. (AUG 2003)
A steel mandrel was used at the leading edge to aid in
penetration through resistant materials.
Due to the cost savings over steel piling, the project scope
was adjusted from 7,000 linear feet to 14,000 linear feet.
Proposed construction of the emergency floodwall on the
Forced Drainage System 4-8 Levee.
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