Numerical Simulation of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls for Parametric Evaluation of Behavior Under Surcharge Loading

Download or read book Numerical Simulation of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls for Parametric Evaluation of Behavior Under Surcharge Loading written by Spencer J. Ambauen and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 215 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A numerical model, simulating the complex behavior of reinforced soil walls using the finite element method, was developed to evaluate the behavior of a surcharged, geosynthetic-reinforced retaining wall with modular block facing. A nonlinear elastic-plastic constitutive soil material model was calibrated to experimental plane strain test data, while the performance of the wall model was validated against full-scale laboratory testing of an identical geosynthetic-reinforced wall. The results from both the constitutive model and the wall model were also compared to predictions made in the literature. It was found that the behavior of the reinforced soil wall was adequately represented by the numerical model at the end of construction and throughout the surcharge loading sequence. Furthermore, evaluation of the parametric analysis demonstrated the inter-dependencies and combined influence of various design parameters. Impacts of reinforcement spacing versus stiffness were investigated, along with stress distributions and load shedding relative to footing placement. Lateral earth pressures at the facing were compared to predictions from conventional design methods and measured loads in the reinforcement. The finite element model was also assessed of its ability to predict ultimate limit state conditions in reinforced soil walls.