Features of modeling gabion retaining walls for engineering protection of roads on landslide slopes

Abstract

During the construction of roads in mountainous areas, engineering protection of the highway from landslide processes is often required. Currently, there are many designs used to protect against landslides. However, the engineers are faced with the task of choosing the optimal structural solution both in terms of the boundaries of the field of application of the structures and in terms of economic efficiency. In addition, the problem arises of correct modeling of the predicted situation. The article discusses the engineering protection of the road under construction in Sochi, Krasnodar Territory. In the study of the territory on the site, three landslides were found that are in extreme condition, erosion processes, an elevated level of groundwater, planar flushing, and also weathering of bedrock when they are opened during the laying of the route. Two schemes of constructive solutions using gabion construction both on a natural basis and on a pile are considered. The choice of the type of protective structure is determined by the presence of both surface and ground waters, as well as by a technical and economic comparison (in comparison with a reinforced concrete retaining wall). The authors reviewed existing software systems used in the calculation of underground structures, and also analyzed the basic methods for calculating the slope stability and structural strength. As a result of the study, such geotechnical software systems as: Plaxis, GeoStudio, Geo5 were selected to simulate a landslide slope. Slope stability was determined both for the main combination of loads and for the special one (seismic of 8 points) using such methods as: Phi/c reduction, Morgenstern-Price method and Shahunyants method. The results obtained showed good convergence.