Modeling and analysis to quantify MSE wall behavior and performance.

647793372Final; Apr. 2007-July 2009.PDFTech ReportUT-10.03CEG 2009-012677411Retaining wallsSoil stabilizationSlope stabilityBearing capacityEarth wallsUtahUtah. Dept. of Transportation. Research DivisionGerber, Travis M.Cummins, Colin R.Brigham Young University. Dept. of Civil and Environmental EngineeringNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Environment ImpactsNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-Construction and MaintenanceNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-Soils and GeologyUS Transportation CollectionTo better understand potential sources of adverse performance of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls, a suite of analytical models was studied using the computer program FLAC, a numerical modeling computer program widely used in geotechnical engineering. The suite of models represents different MSE wall configurations, focusing on differences in overall height, underlying ground slope, wall setback, and wall embedment. From these models, the distributions of relative deformation along both the vertical face and horizontal top surface of MSE walls were quantified, as were factors of safety with respect to shear strength. Limit equilibrium slope stability analyses and bearing capacity analyses were also performed to complement the FLAC results. By doing this work, the relative impacts that wall characteristics such as sloping foundation soils, wall setback and embedment, and differential compaction of the MSE wall fill have on wall behavior and performance is now better understood and quantified