Reinforced Soil Structures

Methods of internal stability verification
• Internal stability check of structure involves

verification of all potential failure mechanisms
including stability of structure elements, sliding
of upper layer on the inspected surface or
internal stability of potential wedges of
reinforced block of soil.
• For the purpose of these analyses, several
methods were developed.
• Many of them were verified by in-situ
monitoring or physical modelling in large scale.
1
• It mostly involves estimation of number, size,
strength, spacing and length of reinforcing
elements to ensure stability of the whole
structure.
• Numerous analysis method are there, most of
them involves
– Those in which local stability is considered for the
soil near a single element of reinforcement, and
– Those in which, overall stability of blocks or wedges
of sol is considered
2
1. Tie-back wedge method
2. Coherent gravity method
3
Tie-back wedge method
• Tie-back wedge method was developed for
structures reinforced with geosynthetics using
Rankine’s equilibrium condition.
• face of the wall is considered flexible, thus
horizontal stresses do not have any influence
on the vertical stresses in the reinforced soil
block.
4
• Tie-back hypothesis is based upon the following
design requirements for vertically faced
structures:
– Design criteria is simple and safe
– Design life of structure is 120 years
– Design procedure is reliable with a variety of fill
materials, including cohesive and cohesionless soils.
5
• Internal stability considerations include:
– Stability of individual elements,
– Resistance to sliding of upper portions of the
structure.
6
• Following factors which influence stability,
included in the design are:
– Shear transfer between reinforcing elements of the fill
– Tensile capacity of reinforcing elements
– Ability of fill to support compression
• State of stress within the reinforced fill is
assumed to be active throughout the working life.
• At rest condition may be expected in some cases
produced during compaction and is temporary
7
Tie-back wedge Analysis - Geogrids
• Analysis based on Coulomb failure mechanism.
8
• Local
tensile stress
• For a uniform vertical distribution of horizontal
grids the forces exerted (Ti) on geogrid at depth
hi,
• Pullout resistance
• Total pullout resistance (Ft) is a combination of
frictional resistance (FF) presented by the grid,
plus anchor resistance (FR) of the grid
9
• The
frictional resistance (FF) per unit length of
longitudinal wire of diameter, d:
• Anchor resistance per transverse member
based on Terzaghi-Buisman bearing capacity
expression is defined as:-
where, Nw being number of transverse members
outside failure wedge and
Nc, Nϒ , Nq - Terzaghi’s bearing capacity factors
10
• Since
d is small, for a cohesionless fill
• Total pullout resistance per unit width
where, M = number of longitudinal
members in grid per unit width
N = number of transverse elements outside the Coulomb
wedge, μ = coefficient of friction
between longitudinal members and the fill
11
• Vertical load, including self-weight of fill, surcharge
load and overturning moments, acts on the
structure as a horizontal force.
• Vertical stress is calculated according to Meyerhof's
theory of stress distribution due to eccentric load.
• Vertical spacing of reinforcing elements is then
considered in calculating axial forces.
• Additional verification of potential wedges behind
facing is required.
• Forces acting on each potential wedge are
investigated.
12
Variation in
Earth- Lateral earth
pressure pressure within
coefficient Reinforced soil
(Ka) wall.
13
14
Coherent gravity method
• Coherent gravity method relates to a reinforced
soil structure constructed with a factor of safety
and is in a safe equilibrium.
• Design stresses relate to actual working
stresses and not to failure conditions.
• Coherent Gravity hypothesis relates to
serviceability limit state.
15
Variation in
Earth Lateral Earth
Pressure Pressure within
Coefficient Reinforced Soil Wall
(Kw)
16
17
• Assumptions
– Reinforced mass has two zones, the active zone and
resisting zone.
– State of stress in the fill between reinforcements is
determined from measurements in actual
structures constructed using well-graded
cohesionless soil.
– An apparent coefficient of friction (μ*) between soil
and reinforcement is derived from empirical
expression developed from pull-out tests.
18
• Coherent gravity method was originally
developed for determining forces in steel
reinforcing strips.
• Coefficient of earth pressure for both limit
states is set for earth pressure in rest at the top
of the structure and linearly decreases to the
value of the active earth pressure 6 m below.
19
• These structures were reinforced with the
inextensible reinforcement (e.g. steel stripes),
when strains do not reach the values allowing
the active earth pressure to develop.
20
• For
a structure using strip reinforcement, the
maximum tension Tmax per element at depth h is
given by
where
N = number of reinforcements per area.

;when,
;when,
21
• Similarly,
maximum adhesive force (Tad) per
element of reinforcement, assuming a well
graded cohesionless fill,
Where,
for h>(ho = 6m)
B = breadth of reinforcement
Lr = length of reinforcement in resistance zone
μ0 for rough reinforcement is defines as μ0 = 1.2 + log Cu
μ0 = 0.4 for smooth reinforcement
22
Construction of Reinforced Earth Walls
• Construction must be according to the theory
and design as much as possible.
• Theoretical form might be different from an
economical model and method of construction
should receive the attention it deserves.
• Speed of construction is essential to achieve
economy, and this can be achieved by simplicity
in construction.
23
• Soil, when deposited in layers to form the
structure results in settlement caused by
gravitational forces.
• These settlements result in reinforcing
elements positioned on specific planes moving
together as layers separating the reinforcement
are compressed.
• Construction techniques capable of
accommodating this internal compaction
within the fill are required
24
• If not, it will result in loss of serviceability or worse.
• Three construction methods which can
accommodate differential settlements within the
soil mass are
1. Concertina Method
2. Telescope method
3. Sliding method
• Except for some special circumstances, every
reinforced soil structure constructed above ground
uses, one or other or a combination of these
methods.
25
• Concertina Method
– Developed by Vidal in 1963
26
27
– Differential settlement within the mass is
achieved by front or face of structure
concertinaring (extend, compress, or collapse in
folds like those of a concertina).
– Some of the largest modern reinforced earth
structures have been built by this method.
– It is the form of construction frequently used
with fabrics and geogrid reinforcing
materials in embankments and cutting.
28
– Since the facing must be capable of
deforming, a flexible hoop shaped unit made
from steel or aluminium is normally used
with strip reinforcements.
– Geogrids usually provide their own facing.
– This method is often used with temporary
structures.
29
• Concertina Method - Distortion
– Structures built from fabrics or geogrids or as
temporary structures are prone to distortion
of the face.
– Degree of distortion cannot be predicted.
– As a solution, resulting structure can be
covered with soil or some form of facing.
30
• Telescope Method
– In this method, settlement within the soil mass
is achieved by the facing panels closing up an
equivalent amount to internal settlement.
– This is made possible by supporting the facing
panels by the reinforcing elements and leaving
a discrete horizontal gap between each facing
panel.
– Facing panel hangs from reinforcing elements.
31
32
– Closure between panels vary from structure
to structure depending on geometry, quality
of fill material, size of facing panels and
degree of compaction achieved during
construction.
– Literature has mentioned vertical closures of
5-15mm for 1.5 m high facing panels.
33
• Telescope Method - Distortion
– Horizontal movement of facing is of two
components
• Horizontal movement of joints,
• Tilt of facing units
– Horizontal movement is expected as
extensible reinforcements are used, but safe
due to conservative design and usually fall in
the range of 2 to 5 mm.
– Tilt of facing is significant and can have visible
effect of final appearance 34
• Telescope Method - Distortion
– Yet serviceability is not usually affected by
tilt.
– All facing panels in this form of construction
tilt, the pivot point depends on geometry of
the facing.
35
• Sliding Method
– differential settlement and compaction within
the fill forming a reinforced soil structure can
be accommodated by permitting the
reinforcing members to slide vertically relative
to the facing.
– Slideable attachments can be provided by the
use of grooves, slots, vertical poles, lugs or
bolts
– Facing may be made up of discrete elements or
may be of single full height unit 36
37
• Sliding Method - Distortion
– As non-structural element is used, distortion
will occur.
– And magnitude depends on magnitude of
compaction.
– Distortion is accommodated by
• Using light vegetative cover in the 2 m zone near the
facing
• Using architectural features to mask distortion
38
39
Geosynthetics in pavements
• Roads often have to be constructed across weak
and compressible soil subgrades.
• It is therefor necessary to distribute the traffic
loads in order to decrease the stress on soil
subgrades.
• This is done by placing a granular layer over
soil subgrade.
• The granular layer used should have good
mechanical properties and enough thickness.
40
• However, long-term interaction between a fine
soil subgrade and granular layer, under
dynamic loads will cause pumping erosion of
soil subgrade and penetration of granular
particles into the soil subgrade.
• This gives rise to permanent deflections and
eventually failure.
• Geosynthetics can be used to solve such
problems.
41
• Based on the type of pavement surfacing
provided, roads can be classified as:
– Unpaved and
– Paved
• Those roads which are not provided with
permanent hard surfacing (i.e
asphaltic/bituminous or cement concrete
pavements), are called unpaved roads.
• Such roads have stone aggregate layers placed
directly above soil subgrades.
42
• These are at most surfaced with sandy gravels,
thus granular layer serves as a base course and
a wearing course at the same time.
• Unpaved roads can be utilized as temporary
roads or permanent roads, whereas paved
roads are used as permanent roads which
usually remain in use for 10 years or more.
43
• Unpaved roads
• Geosynthetics, especially geotextiles and
geogrids have been extensively in unpaved road
for economy:
– By Reducing thickness of granular layer as well as
– Improve construction economics by reducing
thickness of granular layer
– Improve their engineering performance and to
extend their life.
44
• Unpaved roads
• A geosynthetic layer is placed at the junction or
interface of granular layer and soil subgrade.
• Reinforcement and separation are two major
functions served by the geosynthetic layer.
45
Wheel
Stone
aggregate
Geotextile Soil subgrade
Typical cross-section of geosynthetic-reinforced unpaved road

46
Soil subgrade CBR Primary function of the Cost
description Unsoaked Soaked geosynthetic justification for
use of the
geosynthetic
Soft <3 <1 Reinforcement Significantly

less granular
material
utilization
Medium 3-8 1-3 Stabilization (an inter- Less granular
related group of separation, material
filtration and reinforcement utilization and
longer lifetime
Firm >8 >3 Separation Much longer
lifetime
47
• Unpaved roads
• By providing a geosynthetic layer, improvement
in the performance of an unpaved road is
observed in following two cases
1. For a given thickness of granular layer, the
traffic can be increased
2. For the same traffic, the granular layer of a
lower thickness can be reduced than
recommended with no geosynthetic in use.
48
• Paved roads
• Pavement maintenance treatments are
ineffective and short lived due to inability to
both treat cause of problems and renew existing
pavement condition.
• main cause of distress in pavements is they are
quite permeable with 30 to 50% of precipitation
surface water infiltrating through pavement,
softening and weakening pavement subgrade
and base, accelerating pavement degradation.
49
• Paved roads
• Existing pavement distress such as surface
cracks, rocking joints, and subgrade failures
cause the rapid reflection of cracking up
through the maintenance treatment.
• preferred strategy for long-term road and
pavement performance is to build in safeguards
during initial construction.
50
• Paved roads
• Performance safeguards include
– stabilizing the subgrade against moisture intrusion
and associated weakening;
– strengthening road base aggregate without
preventing efficient drainage of infiltrated water;
and
– enhancing the stress absorption and moisture
proofing capabilities of selected maintenance
treatments.
51
• Paved roads
• Geosynthetics are the most cost effective tools
for safeguarding roads and pavements in these
ways.
• Four main applications for geosynthetics in
roads are
– subgrade separation and stabilization,
– base reinforcement,
– overlay stress absorption,
– and overlay reinforcement.
52
• Paved roads
• Subgrade stabilization and base reinforcement
involve improving the road structure as it is
constructed by inserting an appropriate
geosynthetic layer.
• Subgrade separation and stabilization applies
geosynthetics to both unpaved and paved roads.
• Base reinforcement is the use of geosynthetics
to improve the structure of a paved road.
53
• Paved roads
• Geosynthetics are also helpful in rehabilitating
distressed road surface.
• Application of a layer of asphalt concrete called an
overlay is the solution for damaged pavement.
• Geosynthetics can be used as interlayers by
placing them below or within the overlay.
• Some geosynthetics relieve stress and others are
able to reinforce the overlay.
• The products may also provide a moisture barrier.
54

Reinforced Soil Structures

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Reinforced Soil Structures

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Methods of internal stability verification

• Internal stability check of structure involves

N = number of reinforcements per area.

Geotextile Soil subgrade

Typical cross-section of geosynthetic-reinforced unpaved road

Soft <3 <1 Reinforcement Significantly

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