Probabilistic Assessment of Reinforced Soil Walls Using Fourth Moment Normal Transformation

Abstract

Fourth Moment Normal Transformation (FMNT) is an efficient method to probabilistically scrutinize the stability of reinforced soil walls (RSW). The methodology doesn't require the assumption of the distribution of involved random variables to estimate the probability of failure (P f ) and subsequently the safety of RSW. Rather, the P f is calculated using the first four moments (mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) associated with the random variables. The present study is focused on assessing the stability of RWS using FMNT. The internal friction angle (φ), soil unit weight (γ ), and the allowable reinforcement strength (T ult ) are chosen as random variables. A detailed and straightforward procedure for using FMNT is presented besides comparing its accuracy with the results obtained using the first-order reliability method (FORM). Further, a clear comparison of the efficiency of FMNT is showcased by comparing the obtained results with those calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). The results depict that the proposed concept can be smoothly used by researchers and practicing engineers in the field to obtain the probability distributions and consequently the P f associated with RSW.