Deformation response and wall stiffness in relation to reinforced soil wall design
Abstract
There is a significant disparity in the design approaches for the numerous reinforced soil systems. A unified design approach for generically evaluating any reinforced soil system is required to allow for consistent design review, equitable assessments of factors of safety, reasonable economic comparisons, and evaluation of new reinforcement systems. Although the fundamental difference in reinforcement systems is the extensibility of the reinforcement, it is not quantitatively incorporated in current design and would appear to be the key unifying factor. An extensive research program was performed consisting of small scale static and centrifuge model tests, large scale centrifuge model tests, laboratory and field pullout tests, full scale field tests, and numerical analyses. Based on a synthesis and comparative evaluation of the research, the global stiffness of the reinforcement system based on the confined modulus and density of reinforcement in the mass was found to directly influence the internal stress state in the reinforced soil mass. The empirical development and the theoretical verification of a unified design approach incorporating global stiffness of the reinforcement is presented. The proposed design method allows for an evaluation of both reinforcement rupture and working strength requirements, as well as the anticipated lateral deformation of the system during construction. The method recognizes and reduces much of the inherent conservatism in current design methods.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Bourdeau, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Civil engineering|Geotechnology|Plastics
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.