Factors affecting the deformation of facing elements for MSE wall design

Abstract

The deformation of the Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls is one of the key factors which control the design of the MSE walls. In many practical cases, the size of facing panels concrete bedding is increased for high MSE walls. In the present study the effect of the dimensions and stiffness properties of the facing panels concrete bedding on the deformation of the facing elements and the axial forces developed in the geogrid reinforcements are analysed and discussed. The study has been conducted using a finite element analysis Plaxis-2D. The used model has been verified with data attested in the references, [1]. The geometry of model consists of MSE wall with precast concrete facing panels to support reinforced soil zone. The results shed the light on the influence of the dimensions and stiffness properties of facing panels concrete bedding on the deformation of the MSE facing panels. The results showed that for the cases considered in the study, increasing the width dimension of facing panels concrete bedding will decrease the deformations of the facing elements without significant changes in the axial forces developed in the geogrid reinforcing elements.