Numerical Model for Reinforced Soil Segmental Walls under Surcharge Loading
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 132, Issue 6
Abstract
The construction and surcharge loading response of four full-scale reinforced-soil segmental retaining walls is simulated using the program FLAC. The numerical model implementation is described and constitutive models for the component materials (i.e., modular block facing units, backfill, and four different reinforcement materials) are presented. The influence of backfill compaction and reinforcement type on end-of-construction and surcharge loading response is investigated. Predicted response features of each test wall are compared against measured boundary loads, wall displacements, and reinforcement strain values. Physical test measurements are unique in the literature because they include a careful estimate of the reliability of measured data. Predictions capture important qualitative features of each of the four walls and in many instances the quantitative predictions are within measurement accuracy. Where predictions are poor, explanations are provided. The comprehensive and high quality physical data reported in this paper and the lessons learned by the writers are of value to researchers engaged in the development of numerical models to extend the limited available database of physical data for reinforced soil wall response.
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Acknowledgments
The financial support for this study was provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada and the following U.S. State Departments of Transportation: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The writers are also grateful for the financial support from the Academic Research Program at RMC and operating grants from the Department of National Defence, Canada. The writers also acknowledge the many helpful comments by D. Walters and T. M. Allen during the preparation of this paper and the contribution of P. Burgess and N. Vlachopoulos (former graduate students) who carried out the physical model tests described in the paperNRC.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 132 • Issue 6 • June 2006
Pages: 673 - 684
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Nov 16, 2004
Accepted: Nov 16, 2005
Published online: Jun 1, 2006
Published in print: Jun 2006
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