Seismic Testing Of Reinforced Earth Walls

The term reinforced earth implies the use of bars or ties that are embedded in soil to provide additional load carrying strength. The bonding between the soil and the ties is developed through friction. Thus, cohesionless soil is preferred so that the frictionless bonding is not affected by internal pore pressures. For retaining wall construction, an outer skin is also required to prevent the soil from raveling away at the face. Reinforced earth walls constructed to date have mainly used thin galvanized steel strips for the ties, and have used such materials as plastic, various fabrics, lightweight steel panels, and precast concrete blocks for the outer skin.