Evaluation of the effect of surcharge on the behavior of geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls

Abstract

In the current paper, using experimental studies and numerical analyses, the effect of surcharge width on the behavior of geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) walls is evaluated under working stress conditions. Experimental tests were performed at the Geotechnical Laboratory of COPPE/UFRJ, using block and wrapped-face walls. Four well-instrumented GRS walls were examined considering different facing type and surcharge width. The numerical analysis of GRS walls was carried out using the two-dimensional computer program PLAXIS. Parametric studies were carried out with different combinations of surcharge width, wall height, compaction induced stresses (CIS) and face inclination. The results indicate the effect of the surcharge width in combination with other investigated factors on the magnitude and the position of the maximum reinforcement load and the lateral facing displacement of GRS walls.