FAILURE OF COHESIONLESS MODEL SLOPES REINFORCED WITH FLEXIBLE AND EXTENSIBLE INCLUSIONS

The objectives of the reported work were (a) to identify the failure surfaces developing in geosynthetically reinforced steep slopes and (b) to compare the observed critical results with those predicted by a limit equilibrium analysis. Failure surfaces were induced through all reinforcing strips (i.e., internal failure) by the backfill self-weight in 60-, 75-, and 90-degree small-scale slopes. The backfill material consisted of an assembly of steel pins, which exhibited a constant internal angle of friction of 37.4 degrees under stresses in the models. Its performance corresponded to plane strain conditions, and its uniform geometry enabled one to construct slopes repeatedly with ease and to nearly perfect specifications. The reinforcement material used was aluminum foil having a tensile modulus and elongation at failure that are typical of values specified for geosynthetics in design. All slip surfaces initiated at the lowest reinforcement layer and rapidly propagated upward. For 90-degree slopes, the slip surface appeared to be nearly planar, whereas for flatter slopes, it was curved. The test results were compared with predictions by a rigorous limit equilibrium analysis that uses a log spiral failure surface. The analysis indicates that this surface degenerates to a plane for 90-degree slopes. When the reinforcement's tensile force is assumed to be orthogonal to the radius vector defining it rather than to remain horizontal as installed, the predictions of the analysis correspond better to the test results in terms of both trace of slip surface and collapse height. Generally, it appears that the limit equilibrium analysis reasonably predicts the critical conditions for cohesionless slopes reinforced with extensible inclusions.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1991/1330/1330-007.pdf
• Record URL:
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1330, Behavior of Jointed Rock Masses and Reinforced Soil Structures 1991. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Leshchinsky, Dov
  • Lambert, Greg
• Publication Date: 1991

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 54-63
• Monograph Title: Behavior of jointed rock masses and reinforced soil structures, 1991
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1330
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Analysis; Cohesionless materials; Equilibrium methods (Structural analysis); Failure; Geosynthetics; Mechanically stabilized earth; Slip surfaces; Surfaces; Tensile strength; Ultimate load design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Limit equilibrium analysis; Model tests
• Old TRIS Terms: Failure surfaces; Test results
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00622264
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 030905169X
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: May 31 1992 12:00AM