Reinforced earth retaining walls under strip load

Abstract

An analysis is presented to estimate the forces mobilized in reinforced earth retaining walls when subjected to a surcharge strip load. An estimate of the maximum traction force in a rein forcing element is deduced by a modification of Terzaghi’s formula for the computation of the lateral pressure against a conventional rigid retaining wall. Furthermore, a simple distribution is proposed for the traction force in a reinforcing element, and in consequence, the force transmitted to the facing of the wall. Tests on a wall model substantiate and verify the theoretical results. A worked example on the analysis of a reinforced earth retaining wall subjected to a surcharge strip load is given.