Service-State Behavior of Segmental MSE Walls: Evaluation of Design Factors Using Finite Element Analyses

Service state behavior of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls are highly dependent on the interaction of soil, reinforcement material, reinforcement spacing and facing selection and connection. A numerical model simulating the complex behavior of reinforced soil walls using finite element method developed to evaluate the behavior of a reinforced retaining wall with modular block facing for a variety of design options, including reinforcement selection and density. 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 performed in available literature. Important behavior, including lateral earth pressures and deformations were monitored for various configurations to highlight design considerations in context of MSE walls. It was found that service-state performance of the reinforced soil wall was highly dependent of reinforcement type and spacing.