Laboratory Testing and Theoretical Modeling of Deformations of Reinforced Soil Wall

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of a vertical reinforced soil (RS) wall. The structure was built on a laboratory scale. Horizontal displacements on the surface of the model wall were monitored at the end of construction and during surcharge application (as post-construction displacements). The experimental results were compared with their theoretical predictions. The accuracy of the selected analytical approach was examined to predict deformations of the RS structure under external loading. It was shown that the proposed original and relatively simple analytical method for estimating structural deformation can be successfully used in practice (the average difference between the recorded and calculated values of deformation did not exceed 25%). From a scientific point of view, an important element of this work was the analysis of the effect of friction between the backfill and the side walls of the test box on the measured displacements. For the investigated case, it was shown that the impact of this element caused a reduction in the value of external loading of more than 60%. The final results may be particularly useful in the design process of structures used in transportation engineering (bridge abutments), where deformation limit values cannot be exceeded.