Numerical Modelling of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls for Slope Protection

Abstract

Slope failure also known as ‘mass wasting’ is the downward movement of rock or debris under the influence of gravity as a result of several natural and manmade triggers. Mechanically stabilized earth wall is one of the popular methods for stabilizing unstable slopes using of extensible or inextensible reinforcements. This paper presents the analytical and numerical analysis carried out on a mechanically stabilized earth wall for the protection of unstable natural sloping ground. The analytical modelling was done as per the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines. The numerical modelling was carried out using the finite element method (FEM) software, PLAXIS 2D. The major objective of the numerical study was to analyse the most influential parameters to be taken care of during the design of MSE wall for slope stability. The numerical studies of slopes were carried out with and without reinforcement. The effects of variation of parameters, such as length, axial stiffness and spacing of reinforcement, cohesion and angle of internal friction of reinforced fill, were analysed. It is observed that, with increase in cohesion and angle of internal friction of retained soil, slope stability has improved significantly. Also, increase in reinforcement parameters such as length and axial stiffness resulted in improved slope stability. But the increase in reinforcement spacing had a negative effect, which resulted in the decreased factor of safety of soil slopes. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.