Analytical model for predicting time-dependent lateral deformation of geosynthetics-reinforced soil walls with modular block facing

To date,few models are available in the literature to consider the creep behavior of geosynthetics when predicting the lateral deformation(d)of geosynthetics-reinforced soil(GRS)retaining walls.In this study,a general hyperbolic creep model was first introduced to describe the long-term deformation of geosynthetics,which is a function of elapsed time and two empirical parameters a and b.The conventional creep tests with three different tensile loads(Pr)were conducted on two uniaxial geogrids to determine their creep behavior,as well as the a-Pr and b-Pr relationships.The test results show that increasing Pr accelerates the development of creep deformation for both geogrids.Meanwhile,a and b respectively show exponential and negatively linear relationships with Pr,which were confirmed by abundant experimental data available in other studies.Based on the above creep model and relationships,an accurate and reliable analytical model was then proposed for predicting the time-dependent d of GRS walls with modular block facing,which was further validated using a relevant numerical investigation from the previous literature.Performance evaluation and comparison of the proposed model with six available prediction models were performed.Then a parametric study was carried out to evaluate the effects of wall height,vertical spacing of geogrids,unit weight and internal friction angle of backfills,and factor of safety against pullout on d at the end of construction and 5 years afterwards.The findings show that the creep effect not only promotes d but also raises the elevation of the maximum d along the wall height.Finally,the limitations and application prospects of the proposed model were discussed and analyzed.

Influence of groundwater level changes on the seismic response of geosynthetic-reinforced soil retaining walls

Geosynthetic-reinforced soil retaining walls(GSRWs)have been widely used in civil engineering projects.However,as the climate changes,extreme weather conditions and natural hazards are likely to become more frequent or intense,posing a huge threat to the stability of GSRWs.In this paper,the effect of groundwater level fluctuations on the seismic response of GSRWs is investigated.First,a dynamic numerical model was established and validated through centrifugal shaking-table test results.Using the established numerical model,the seismic response of GSRWs under four different groundwater level conditions was then investigated,i.e.,an earthquake occurring at a low groundwater level(Case LW),an earthquake occurring when the groundwater level rises(Case RW),an earthquake occurring at a high groundwater level(Case HW),and an earthquake occurring when the groundwater level drops(Case DW).The results show that the GSRW in Case DW has the worst seismic stability because of the drag forces generated by the water flowing to the outside of the GSRW.For Case RW,deformation of the GSRW under earthquake forces was prevented by the drag forces generated by the water flowing to the inside of the GSRW and the water pressure acting on the outside of the facing,giving the GSRW the best seismic stability in this case.Compared with Case LW,the seismic stability of a GSRW in Case HW is worse,because the high groundwater level will generate excess pore-water pressure during an earthquake.On this basis,we provide engineering design suggestions to be considered by practitioners.

Deformation and localisation behaviours of reinforced gravelly backfill using shaking table tests

To understand the deformational behaviours of geosynthetics-reinforced soil retaining walls(GRS RWs),a series of plane-strain shaking table tests was conducted on retaining wall models.The backfill of the models was made of poorly graded gravel.Deformations and strains in the gravelly backfill induced by seismic loading are recorded in real time,which are of importance to understand the seismic strength and stability of the GRS RW systems,as strain localisation development in the backfill and foundation is related to the degree of strength degradation of the system.In the present study,we aimed at quantifying the induced deformations of the GRS RW models due to shaking.Digital image correlation(DIC)technique was then employed to analyse and provide full-field deformation and motion images with the models.It is demonstrated that,unlike conventional contact devices that are yet limited to provide quantities of a singular and fixed location,DIC provides deformation and motion of the area of interests to reveal the evolution of localisation.

间接加筋作用及加筋土挡墙离心模型试验验证

土工合成材料加筋土挡墙在工程实践中得到了广泛应用,但现行加筋土挡墙的设计方法很有争议,以及对加筋土挡墙的工作机理上的认识存在误区。基于已有间接加筋作用的研究成果,提出了"临界层间距"的概念,并以此区分加筋土挡墙的密筋状态和疏筋状态。认为在不同的加筋状态下,加筋土挡墙工作机理是不同的。而且临界层间距与填土和筋材性质有关,并不是一个固定值。在密筋状态下的加筋土挡墙自身表现为一个柔性筋土复合整体。为了验证这些认识,进行了刚性基础上加筋土挡墙的离心模型试验研究,结合试验结果论证了间接加筋作用及密筋状态下加筋土挡墙的工作机理,提出了进一步研究的思路。

土工合成材料构造物的抗震性能

文中介绍了日本阪神地震、美国北里奇地震、土耳其伊斯坦布尔地震、中美洲萨尔瓦多地震、台湾集-集地震以及我国四川的汶川地震中一些加筋挡土墙加筋边坡的震后调查。结果表明,看似柔弱的土工合成材料,具有良好的抗震性能。同时也介绍了用EPS(聚苯乙烯板块)作为填料的优异抗震性能。

台阶式加筋土挡墙面板水平位移与稳定性关系研究

为研究台阶式加筋土挡墙面板水平位移特征及其最大水平位移与稳定性的量化关系,采用验证的有限差分数值方法确定挡墙面板水平位移和每层筋材最大拉力,并借助强度折减方法确定相应挡墙的稳定系数,进而参数化分析填土及地基土性质、筋材性质和分级模式对面板水平位移及挡墙稳定性的影响,结果表明:(1)针对两级加筋土挡墙,保持其他参数不变:增加填土内摩擦角φ或黏聚力c,挡墙自稳能力增强,最大水平位移和实际筋材最大拉力均明显减少;增加上级或下级挡墙筋材长度,面板最大水平位移呈减少趋势,挡墙稳定系数相应增加,当上级筋材长度为0.7H(H为总墙高)和下级筋材长度为0.6H时,挡墙变形和稳定系数趋于稳定;减少筋材层间距或增加筋材刚度,挡墙最大水平位移减小,而稳定系数相应增加。(2)针对各级挡墙均分总墙高的台阶式加筋土挡墙,增加台阶宽度,面板最大水平位移先减小后渐趋稳定,对于规范推荐的填土(φ=34°),确定相邻两级挡墙互不影响的临界台阶宽度为1.2倍分级墙高。(3)当台阶式加筋土挡墙总墙高和相对台阶宽度不变时,增加分级数导致最大水平位移和稳定系数均呈先减少后增加的趋势;两级加筋土挡墙上、下级墙高比不大于1时,墙高比变化对面板位移影响小;增加总墙高导致面板最大水平位移明显增加,稳定系数减少。(4)针对两级台阶式加筋土挡墙,建立了稳定系数、最大水平位移及台阶宽度的函数关系式,为实践中基于面板最大水平位移量化指标评估加筋土挡墙稳定性提供了有益参考。