Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Structures

Abstract

An approach for stability analysis of geosynthetic reinforced earth structures over firm foundations is presented. The approach involves both internal and external stability analyses. The internal stability analysis is based on variational limiting equilibrium and satisfies all equilibrium requirements. Two extreme inclinations of reinforcement tensile resistance are investigated: orthogonal to the radius defining the geosynthetic sheet, and horizontal, signifying the as‐installed position. Although a horizontal positioning requires slightly longer anchorage to assure pullout resistance, the slip surface is shallower when compared to the orthogonal case. As a result, the required total embedment length is longer for the orthogonal inclination. The external stability analysis is an extension of the bilinear wedge method and it allows a slip plane to propagate horizontally along a reinforcing sheet. The results for both the internal and external stability analyses are conveniently presented in the form of design charts. Given a slope and a design safety factor, the geosynthetic sheets' profile as well as their required tensile resistance can be determined utilizing these charts.