Deformation and Capacity of Vacuum-Wrapped Reinforced Soil Test Structures

Geosynthetic reinforced soil (GRS) structures are now widely used and it has become important to estimate their capacity and deformation. This investigation found that accurate calculation of deformation must include both elastic as well as plastic strain. Although vacuum-wrapped GRS structures are impractical outside the laboratory, they do provide a practical means for determination of facing pressure. The relationship between capacity and facing pressure is examined. This paper revisits the generic soil generic composite (GSGC) tests, which were vacuum-wrapped tests performed at the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and reported by Wu et alia (2010). This investigation furthers an understanding of behaviors, both elastic and plastic, within AASHTO’s guidance for reinforced soil. In particular, it enables a quantitative relationship between capacity and facing rigidity.