The document proposes a new simple method for predicting face deformations of retaining walls reinforced with geosynthetics. The method uses a theoretical model that treats the wall as a beam leaning on flexible supports subjected to a theoretical diagram of horizontal earth pressures. It was found to provide good predictions of horizontal stresses and face deformations for various wall configurations when compared to laboratory and numerical studies, while being simple, quick, and based on a theoretical model. The method could be a versatile tool for predicting retaining wall performance.

1. PROPOSAL OF A NEW METHOD
FOR THE PREDICTION OF FACE
DEFORMATIONS OF RETAINING
WALLS REINFORCED WITH
GEOSYNTHETICS
Correia, A.A.S.
University of Coimbra, Portugal
Pinto, M.I.M.
University of Coimbra, Portugal
Lopes, M.L.
University of Porto, Portugal
1/15

2. Development a simple method
to predict face deformations
2/15
Objectives
- simple/easy/practical
- short time consuming
- based on a simple theoretical model
- versatile

3. 1- Brick faced reinforced retaining walls
- presentation
- wall failure mechanism
3/15
Contents
2- Proposed method
3- Analysis of results
- horizontal stresses
- face deformation
4- Conclusions

4. 4/15
1- Brick Faced reinforced retaining walls
Sv
L
Height = 300 mm (model/prototype = 1/5)
Backfill (sand): γ = 16,3 kN/m3
φ’ = 40o
Brick face: γ = 24 kN/m3
b = 0,03 N/mm2
E = 50 000 kN/m2
Reinforcement:
tGTX = 0,3 mm
T = 1,4 kN/m
E = 13 200 kN/m2
H

5. 5/15
1- Brick Faced reinforced retaining walls
Sv
L
Soil-reinforcement 0,73
Soil-brick face 0,75
Interfaces f × tg φ’
Nomenclature Sv L
4-s 60 80
3-s 45 80
4-l 60 120
3-l 45 120
all dimensions in mm

6. 6/15
1- Brick Faced reinforced retaining walls
Unreinforced walls and
walls reinforced
every 4 brick rows
Wall failure mechanism
walls reinforced
every 3 brick rows

7. 6/15
1- Brick Faced reinforced retaining walls
Wall failure mechanism
Unreinforced walls and
walls reinforced
every 4 brick rows
walls reinforced
every 3 brick rows

8. 6/15
1- Brick Faced reinforced retaining walls
Wall failure mechanism
Unreinforced walls and
walls reinforced
every 4 brick rows
walls reinforced
every 3 brick rows

9. 6/15
1- Brick Faced reinforced retaining walls
Wall failure mechanism
Unreinforced walls and
walls reinforced
every 4 brick rows
walls reinforced
every 3 brick rows

10. 6/15
1- Brick Faced reinforced retaining walls
Wall failure mechanism
Unreinforced walls and
walls reinforced
every 4 brick rows
walls reinforced
every 3 brick rows

11. 6/15
1- Brick Faced reinforced retaining walls
Wall failure mechanism
Unreinforced walls and
walls reinforced
every 4 brick rows
walls reinforced
every 3 brick rows

12. 6/15
1- Brick Faced reinforced retaining walls
Wall failure mechanism
Unreinforced walls and
walls reinforced
every 4 brick rows
walls reinforced
every 3 brick rows

13. 6/15
1- Brick Faced reinforced retaining walls
Wall failure mechanism
Unreinforced walls and
walls reinforced
every 4 brick rows
walls reinforced
every 3 brick rows

14. - Relative deformability of the constituent
materials
7/15
2- Proposed method
- Theoretical model: beam
simply leaning on flexible supports
subject to a theoretical diagram of
horizontal earth pressures
Theoretical
diagram of the
horizontal
effective stress
Reinforcement
Rigid foundation

15. - Theoretical diagram of horizontal stresses
8/15
2- Proposed method
σ'h
z
K0
Ka
( )
2 5
6 ,
max v v h
K
T z ' S S H z
L
σ
×
= × × × × −

16. 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
0 2 4 6 8
Horizontal stress (kPa)
Height
of
the
wall
(mm)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
0 2 4 6 8
Horizontal stress (kPa)
Height
of
the
wall
(mm)
9/15
3- Analysis of results
3.1 - Horizontal stresses
wall 4-l wall 3-l
Laboratorial study Numerical study Proposed method

17. 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
0 2 4 6 8
Horizontal stress (kPa)
Height
of
the
wall
(mm)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
0 2 4 6 8
Horizontal stress (kPa)
Height
of
the
wall
(mm)
10/15
3- Analysis of results
3.1 - Horizontal stresses
wall 4-s wall 3-s
Laboratorial study Numerical study Proposed method

18. 11/15
3- Analysis of results
3.2 – Proposal model
wall 3-s
1 2
3 4

19. 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
0 5 10 15
Wall displacement (mm)
Height
of
the
wall
(mm)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
0 5 10 15
Wall displacement (mm)
Height
of
the
wall
(mm)
12/15
3- Analysis of results
3.3 – Face deformation
wall 4-l wall 3-l
Laboratorial study Numerical study Proposed method

20. 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
0 5 10 15
Wall displacement (mm)
Height
of
the
wall
(mm)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
0 5 10 15
Wall displacement (mm)
Height
of
the
wall
(mm)
13/15
3- Analysis of results
3.3 – Face deformation
wall 4-s wall 3-s
Laboratorial study Numerical study Proposed method

21. 14/15
4- Conclusions
Method proposed
- Good predictions for wall face deformations
- Good predictions for face horizontal stresses
- Simple/easy/practical
- Short time consuming
- Based on a simple theoretical model
- Versatile

22. 15/15
Thank you
aalberto@dec.uc.pt