Reinforced Earth Used At Palo Verde Nuclear Plant

The use of a 30 ft (9 m) high Reinforced Earth wall for permitting concurrent construction of a turbine generator mat and the lower level reactor-auxiliary structures is described. The Palo Nuclear Generating Station will be one of the largest nuclear generating stations in the world, with a final power output of approximately 3,900 MW. Schedule requirements dictated that construction of the turbine generator be performed at the same time as the immediately adjacent reactor-auxiliary structures. A bulkhead was designed to provide lateral support until construction and backfill of the lower elevation structures were completed. A number of alternative support schemes were studied, including the Reinforced Earth wall. This method proved to be cost effective compared to alternative schemes. Wall movements were negligible following backfilling.