A model study on retaining wall with reinforced backfill

Abstract

The usefulness of the patented reinforced earth wall of Vidal, where reinforcement is attached with the skin panels, has been proved beyond doubt but under certain circumstances a conventional retaining wall with reinforced backfill may appear more appropriate. Keeping in view this fact, a model study has been conducted to observe the effect of reinforcing the backfill. Earth pressure on 1.0 m high model wall was monitored and pressure due to unreinforced backfill was compared to the pressure due to reinforced backfill. Different lengths of bamboo strips and geogrids were used for strengthening the backfill. Observations for the rotation of wall and corresponding base moment were recorded. These results were used to verify a theoretical analysis developed for inclined retaining wall having reinforced backfill with uniformly distributed surcharge load. The analysis was used to develop non-dimensional charts for designing retaining walls with reinforced backfill. The analysis was applicable for both strip and mat type reinforcements. Results indicated decrease in moments up to about 65 percent due to reinforcing the backfill. The observed moments were less than the corresponding theoretical moments. It may be due to side-wall friction of test tank which seems to have prevented the full development of failure wedge. There is no significant decrease in earth pressure where Dp value is greater than 1.0 and L/H value greater than 0.6.