Preliminary assessment of sidewall friction on large-scale wall models in the RMC test facility. The application of polymeric reinforcement in soil retaining structures

This project offered the opportunity to examine 'Tensilr' SR2 geogrids used as reinforcing elements of a soil retaining wall constructed under well defined conditions. Geogrids recovered from this wall suffered very little damage in the gravelly sand fill due to the construction,. testing and recovery processes. There was no significant change in their physical properties deri ved from canst.ant rate of strain tensile testing and from long-term sustained load tests. The properties of the "as produced " geogrids can, therefore, be used with confidence in the predictions of wall behaviour. For design purposes, a partial factor of safety is proposed to take account of variations in production quality and damage due to construction processes. For retaining walls constructed from gravelly sand fills under well defined conditions the manufacturer's recommended value of this partial factor of safety appears to be very conservative