Abstract:
Soil is generally weak in tension and relatively strong in compression and shear. The concept of
reinforcing a soil mass by incorporating a material that is strong in tensile resistance is similar
to that of reinforced concrete. Through the inter-face friction, the reinforcement restrains lateral
deformation of the soil next to the reinforcement and therefore increases the stiffness and
strength of the soil mass. Geosynthetics have emerged as exciting engineering materials in
reinforcing backfill soil of retaining wall.
Due to this analysis and design of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall is crucial this day.
To do so finite element method is used to analyze the MSE wall. This research study is more
concerned on determining and comparison of the stability of both MSE wall and cantilever
retaining wall. For case study some representative soil samples were collected based on ASTM
sampling procedures for the characterization of the soil under the retaining wall and backfill soil.
The retaining wall were analyzed with plain strain model and 15-node elements are utilized. A
total height Plaxis Version 8.2 is designed for two-dimensional modeling and analysis of
physical space. In addition, parametric analysis of MSE wall also done. Global stability, facing
panel deformation and tension force in the geogrid is calculated using Finite element method.
The vertical deformation of MSE and cantilever retaining (CR) wall is 0.1m and 0.187m
respectively. The horizontal deformation MSE wall and CR wall is 0.31m and 0.57 mm
respectively. Factor of safety for global stability of MSE wall is 1.673 and cantilever retaining
wall is 0.475. This shows by 78% the stability is improved.
MSE wall is stable and suitable than GRS-RW for this site based on global stability and facing
panel deformation. And sandy soil backfill material, PET type of geogrid is the safest for MSE
wall construction. For very small construction area, and low geotechnical properties of soil site
condition using MSE wall than CR wall is appropriate and the best.
