The paper describes a numerical model that was developed to simulate the response of three instrumented, full-scale, geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls under working stress conditions. The walls we...

Development and verification of a numerical model for the analysis of geosynthetic-reinforced soil segmental walls under working stress conditions

The construction and surcharge loading response of four full-scale reinforced-soil segmental retaining walls is simulated using the program FLAC. The numerical model implementation is described and constitutive models for the component materials (i.e., modular block facing units, backfill, and four different reinforcement materials) are presented. The influence of backfill compaction and reinforcement type on end-of-construction and surcharge loading response is investigated. Predicted response features of each test wall are compared against measured boundary loads, wall displacements, and reinforcement strain values. Physical test measurements are unique in the literature because they include a careful estimate of the reliability of measured data. Predictions capture important qualitative features of each of the four walls and in many instances the quantitative predictions are within measurement accuracy. Where predictions are poor, explanations are provided. The comprehensive and high quality physical data reported in this paper and the lessons learned by the writers are of value to researchers engaged in the development of numerical models to extend the limited available database of physical data for reinforced soil wall response.

Numerical Model for Reinforced Soil Segmental Walls under Surcharge Loading

This paper presents an experimental study of the earthquake performance of modular-block reinforced soil retaining walls which were backfilled with sand using large-scale benchmark shaking table tests. The reinforcements used were polymeric geogrids, which were frictionally connected to the facing blocks having a front lip. In addition to observing the seismic performance, the purpose of testing was to generate quality data for future validation of numerical procedures. Three large-scale 2.8 m high modular-block geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls were subjected to significant shaking using the Kobe earthquake motions. Each wall was excited with a one-dimensional horizontal maximum acceleration of 0.4g followed by 0.86g. Vertical acceleration was superimposed on the horizontal one in the third wall. The walls were instrumented intensively using over 100 transducers to measure lateral and vertical earth pressures, wall facing displacement, crest settlement, reinforcement strains, and accelerations within the soil and the facing blocks. The material properties, instrumentations, and construction procedures are described. The test results indicated that the walls deformed very little with negligible horizontal acceleration amplification when subjected to the first shaking load. Deformation and horizontal acceleration amplification were reasonably small under the second shaking load. Part of the lateral deflection, earth pressure and tensile force in the reinforcement were recovered when shaking ceased. Amplification ratio of 1.35 indicated that the particular wall system performed better than conventional walls that had been tested for earthquake loading.

Large-Scale Shaking Table Tests on Modular-Block Reinforced Soil Retaining Walls

Reinforcement loads in geosynthetic walls and the case for a new working stress design method

Design and behaviour of a geosynthetic reinforced retaining wall and bridge abutment on a yielding foundation

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Papers

Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls and Reinforced Soil Slopes Design and Construction Guidelines