Model test and numerical analysis on long-term mechanical properties of stepped reinforced retaining wall

Abstract

Model tests and numerical analyses of stepped reinforced retaining wall were performed to investigate the effects of rheology of backfill and creep of geogrids on the long-term performance of the structure. The geogrid tensions, soil pressures, wall deformations and foundation pressure were measured during model construction and loading. A visco-elasto-plastic model and an empirical nonlinear visco-elastic model were utilized to simulate the stresses and deformations of geogrid-reinforced earth-retaining wall under long-term loads. By comparing test data with numerical results, it is shown that the foundation pressure distribution is nonlinear, and the lateral constraint of geogrids for backfill can cause a redistribution of foundation pressure. The curve of soil pressure is outside convex at each step initially, and it is close to the distribution for the case of vertical wall subsequently. The variation trend of geogrid tensions at different heights is obtained. Moreover, the failure mechanism and development mode of potential slip surface in retaining wall are proposed.

Keywords

model test / geogrid / stepped reinforced retaining wall / finite element method / visco-elasto-plasticity model

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