Full scale modeling of geotextile reinforced lime stabilized cohesive soil retaining wall

Abstract

In this research, a reinforced soil retaining structure, "Kilyos Wall" is studied. It is the first known geosynthetic reinforced wall to be instrumented and tested in Turkey. Lime stabilized cohesive clay is used as a backfill material rather than a pure frictional soil. The wall was designed with a factor of safety of less than one. Measurements include determination of the horizontal and vertical movements of the backfill utilizing an electronic coils developed specially for this project. Vertical and horizontal stresses are determined using Glötzl pressure cells. A CQmparison is made between observed behavior and design assumptions and calculations. A Finite Element Analysis study was conducted in order to investigate the stresses and deformations using the CRISP '92 program. The effect of the facing rigidity on the overall stability of geosynthetic reinforced retaining walls is investigated explicitly for full height concrete facing by using the two wedge mechanism. A method is proposed to account analytically for the effects of facing thickness to stability of retaining walls with the amount of reinforcement required, using a limit equilibrium analysis with relation to the seismic forces and presented in chart form.