00622264

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...trr/1991/1330/1330-007.pdf

https://scholar.google.co...bert&publication_year=1991

The objectives of the reported work were (a) to identify the failure surfaces developing in geosynthetically reinforced steep slopes and (b) to compare the observed critical results with those predicted by a limit equilibrium analysis. Failure surfaces were induced through all reinforcing strips (i.e., internal failure) by the backfill self-weight in 60-, 75-, and 90-degree small-scale slopes. The backfill material consisted of an assembly of steel pins, which exhibited a constant internal angle of friction of 37.4 degrees under stresses in the models. Its performance corresponded to plane strain conditions, and its uniform geometry enabled one to construct slopes repeatedly with ease and to nearly perfect specifications. The reinforcement material used was aluminum foil having a tensile modulus and elongation at failure that are typical of values specified for geosynthetics in design. All slip surfaces initiated at the lowest reinforcement layer and rapidly propagated upward. For 90-degree slopes, the slip surface appeared to be nearly planar, whereas for flatter slopes, it was curved. The test results were compared with predictions by a rigorous limit equilibrium analysis that uses a log spiral failure surface. The analysis indicates that this surface degenerates to a plane for 90-degree slopes. When the reinforcement's tensile force is assumed to be orthogonal to the radius vector defining it rather than to remain horizontal as installed, the predictions of the analysis correspond better to the test results in terms of both trace of slip surface and collapse height. Generally, it appears that the limit equilibrium analysis reasonably predicts the critical conditions for cohesionless slopes reinforced with extensible inclusions.

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1330, Behavior of Jointed Rock Masses and Reinforced Soil Structures 1991. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

01407164

p. 54-63

1991

Transportation Research Record

030905169X

Figures (22) ; References (7) ; Tables (2)

Alternatives analysis; Analysis; Cohesionless materials; Equilibrium methods (Structural analysis); Failure; Geosynthetics; Mechanically stabilized earth; Slip surfaces; Surfaces; Tensile strength; Ultimate load design

Limit equilibrium analysis; Model tests

Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics

TRIS, TRB

May 31 1992 12:00AM

• ANALYTICAL MODEL FOR PULLOUT OF SOIL REINFORCEMENT
• CONSTRUCTION OF A GEOGRID- AND GEOCOMPOSITE-FACED SOIL-NAILED SLOPE REINFORCEMENT PROJECT IN EASTERN CANADA
• ESTIMATING HOEK-BROWN ROCK MASS STRENGTH PARAMETERS FROM ROCK MASS CLASSIFICATIONS
• GEOSYNTHETIC-REINFORCED SOIL WALL: 4-YEAR HISTORY
• LIMIT EQUILIBRIUM STABILITY ANALYSES FOR REINFORCED SLOPES
• SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS OF JOINTED ROCK USING DISTINCT ELEMENT METHOD
• SOIL NAILING IN FRANCE: RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
• THREE FULL-SCALE EXPERIMENTS OF FRENCH PROJECT ON SOIL NAILING: CLOUTERRE
• USE OF NONLINEAR STRENGTH CRITERIA IN STABILITY ANALYSES OF BRIDGE FOUNDATION ON JOINTED ROCK
• USING GEOSYNTHETICS TO REDUCE SURCHARGE-INDUCED STRESSES ON RIGID EARTH-RETAINING STRUCTURES