Mobilized Bearing Capacity Analysis of Global Stability for Walls Supported by Aggregate Piers
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 6
Abstract
Global stability analysis is a key component of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall design, especially those constructed over marginal soils. When limit equilibrium analysis is used for MSE wall design, incorrect factors of safety can be predicted depending on the shape assumed for the failure surface. The use of ground improvement, such as aggregate piers (AP), further complicates the analysis. A mobilized bearing capacity (MBC) approach is presented which highlights the direct relationship between the factors of safety for global stability and bearing capacity. Results from the MBC approach are compared with finite element strength reduction analyses for a range of MSE wall geometries and AP replacement ratios. The factors of safety match well for global factors of safety between 1 and 1.5, considering both eccentricity and stress concentration. The MBC approach provides a tool to supplement and refine global stability analyses for retaining walls constructed over improved foundations.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge GeoPier Foundation Company’s financial support of the numerical analyses performed for this study and collaboration on technical aspects of AP design for MSE wall support. Tennessee Tech’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Center for Energy Systems Research are also acknowledged for their support of the authors. The authors also thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable contributions and suggestions, which greatly improved this paper.
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Nov 5, 2019
Accepted: Feb 23, 2021
Published online: Apr 8, 2021
Published in print: Jun 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Sep 8, 2021
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