Influence of reinforcement stiffness and compaction on the performance of four geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls

Abstract

The paper describes measurements taken from a series of four full-scale modular block walls that were constructed with reinforcement layers having different stiffness. The walls were 3.6 m high and were reinforced with two different polypropylene geogrid reinforcement materials, a polyester geogrid and a welded wire mesh. Each wall was constructed with the same modular block facing and reinforcement spacing of 0.6 m. The influence of compaction effort on wall displacements and horizontal toe load measurements at the end of construction was detectable in this investigation. These values were adjusted to account for the influence of different compaction methods on end-of-construction wall response. However, during subsequent surcharging the effects of initial compaction effort were erased. Reinforcement loads are computed from strain readings and results of in-isolation constant-load (creep) tests. Computed maximum reinforcement loads are compared with values predicted using the current AASHTO Simplified Method and the K-stiffness Method. The predicted magnitude and distribution of reinforcement loads are shown to be more accurate using the K-stiffness Method for polymeric reinforcement materials. For the relatively stiff welded wire mesh product, the measured reinforcement loads fell between values predicted using both methods.

Evaluation of the effect of compaction on the behavior of geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls

“…Allen et al (2003) presented an empirical based working stress method (K-stiffness method), which explicitly included the influence of reinforcement stiffness on the calculation of reinforcement loads. Using the Allen et al (2003) method, Bathurst et al (2009) reported good agreement between the measured and predicted reinforcement loads for GRS walls.…”

“…The transient and long-term residual deformations measured in the wall after pre-loading were reported to be very small. Using compaction efforts of 55 kPa and 144 kPa, Bathurst et al (2009) reported that compaction has a significant effect on the magnitude of construction-induced outward wall deformation and horizontal earth load at the toe at the end of construction in GRS walls. The influence of compaction was attenuated by the application of an external surcharge.…”

Influence of Transient Flooding on Multi-Anchor Walls

“…The notion that a restrained horizontal toe at the base of a reinforced soil wall with a structural facing can carry a signiˆcant portion of the earth load in these systems under operational conditions has been reported by Bathurst et al (2006). Bathurst et al (2009) showed that for a series of 3.6 m-high modular block walls constructed with relatively extensible (geosynthetic) reinforcement layers and a high quality frictional sand (SP) backˆll, the restrained horizontal footing carried about 70z to 80z of the total earth force. For the same structure but constructed with a stiŠer welded steel wire mesh reinforcement, the footing contribution was 50z.…”

Cyclic Response of Footing with Embedment Depth on Multi-Layered Geocell-Reinforced Bed

“…In recent decades, geosynthetic inclusions in the form of twodimensional reinforcement (e.g., geotextile and geogrid) and three-dimensional reinforcement (e.g., geocell) have been increasingly used in geotechnical engineering applications for, e.g., road construction layers, stable embankments, slope and earth stabilization, and construction of footings over soft soil e.g., Hufenus et al [1]; Kim et al [2]; El Sawwaf [3]; Bathurst et al [4]; Moghaddas Tafreshi and Dawson [5]; Moghaddas Tafreshi et al [6]; Madhavi Latha [7]; Leshchinsky and Ling [8]. Although, in addition to planar reinforcements, several investigations have also highlighted the beneficial use of geocell reinforcement in the construction of embankments and footing over soft soil under static and repeated loads e.g.…”