Pullout Resistance of Mechanically Stabilized Reinforcements in Backfills Typically Used in Texas: Volume 1

This report documents findings from a three-year research study that examined the pullout resistance of inextensible Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) reinforcements in backfills typically used in Texas. The study involved an extensive laboratory test program in which a total of 650 pullout tests were completed. These tests were conducted using a large scale pullout test system that consisted of a test box with dimensions of 12ft x 12ft x 4ft and capability to simulate overburden pressures equivalent to 40ft of fill. Tests were conducted on ribbed strip reinforcements, welded steel grid reinforcements, and a limited number of smooth bars embedded in two types of backfill, designated as Type A (gravelly) and Type B (sandy) select backfill as per Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) specifications. A subset of strip and grid reinforcements in each backfill type was instrumented with strain gages to provide further insight into mechanisms that control pullout resistance. The research design evaluated pullout resistance factors for both strip and grid reinforcements for a variety of independent variables including overburden pressure, reinforcement length, skew or splay angle, grid wire size, and grid geometry including both transverse and longitudinal wire spacing. Appropriate statistical analyses were used to interpret the data within the context of published American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design guidance for inextensible MSE reinforcements. This volume, Volume 1, summarizes the research findings. Volume 2 and Volume 3 present the test reports for MSE reinforcements in Type B and Type A backfill, respectively.

• Record URL:
  http://www.depts.ttu.edu/techmrtweb/reports/complete_reports/0-6493-1.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Cover title: Pullout Resistance of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Reinforcement in Backfills Typically Used in Texas...; documentation title: Pullout resistance of MSE Reinforcements in Backfills Typically Used in Texas...
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Tech University, Lubbock

  Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Transportation
  P.O. Box 41023
  Lubbock, TX  United States  79409-1023

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5080

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Jayawickrama, Priyantha W
  • Surles, James G
  • Wood, Timothy A
  • Lawson, William D
• Publication Date: 2013-8-15

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Technical Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 278p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Backfill soils; Earth walls; Gravelly soils; Mechanically stabilized earth; Pull out test; Resistance tests; Sandy soils; Stabilized materials; Strain gages
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01496749
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-13/0-6493-1, 0-6493-R1
• Contract Numbers: 0-6493
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Oct 2 2013 8:58AM