THE ROLES OF FACING CONNECTION STRENGTH, TRUNCATED BASE, AND EMBEDMENT IN MECHANICALLY STABILIZED BACKFILL WALLS

The roles of connection strength between facing elements and geosynthetic reinforcements, embedment, and truncated bases in Mechanically Stabilized Backfill (MSB) walls are reported. Two 15 ft (4.6 m) high MSB walls were constructed, one with concrete modular block facing elements and the other with blocks made of compressed rubber tire chips. Neither was embedded and both had truncated reinforcements at the bottom. Each was surcharged. In each, the geosynthetic reinforcements were severed at the facing element interface following construction and surcharging. It is concluded that: (1) Facing elements experience highest horizontal thrust during construction (compaction), where they act as forms to facilitate achieving a vertical face; (2) Embedment does not improve internal stability; and (3) MSB features with truncated bases are internally stable.

• Corporate Authors:

  Colorado Department of Transportation

  4201 E Arkansas Avenue
  Denver, CO  United States  80222

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Schiebel, W R
  • Ruckman, A C
  • BARRETT, R K
  • Wu, JTH
• Publication Date: 1996-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 29 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Anchoring; Backfilling; Concrete blocks; Crumb rubber; Embankments and retaining walls; Facings; Geosynthetics; Material reinforcement; Networks; Stabilized materials; Trench backfill
• Uncontrolled Terms: Embedment; Surcharge; Tire chips
• Old TRIS Terms: Truncated bases
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00737997
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CDOT/CTI-96-3, Final Report
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 24 1997 12:00AM