Numerical study of the use of actively-tensioned polymeric strips for reinforced soil walls

Polymeric strip reinforced soil walls require a practical method to fix the reinforcement tail-ends in the soil backfill during construction to ensure adequate anchorage and to avoid any slack along the linear reinforcement elements. A number of different techniques are currently used depending on the reinforcement type, arrangement and the contractor. This paper reports the results of a series of numerical simulations that were carried out on an idealized 6 m-high wall with precast partial height facing panels. A different reinforcement pre-tension load was applied to the layers in each simulation case. The results of numerical simulations include the reinforcement axial load distribution, vertical facing load and end-of-construction facing alignment plotted as a function of the reinforcement layer depth location and applied pre-tension load. The results demonstrate that the magnitude of pre-tensioning has a significant effect on wall performance for walls subjected to operational (working stress) conditions at end of construction