Investigation on Stability of Vertical Cuts Retained by Soil Nailing Using Finite Element Method

Abstract

One of the methods that can be effectively used for stabilisation of vertical cuts, excavations and natural slopes is soil nailing. It comprises of insertion of nails into the soil mass to be retained and providing stability to it against failure. This study deals with numerical analysis of vertical cuts under static loading that have been stabilised using soil nailing by incorporating soil-structure interaction. Performance and characteristics of soil nailed vertical cuts of three different heights are evaluated. Finite element analysis of 6 m, 10 m and 14 m high soil nailed walls retaining three different types of soil masses are performed to evaluate the response of the structure under different parameters to obtain the more stable structure against overall failure. Stability of these structures expressed with respect to global factor of safety are evaluated using ϕ-c reduction analysis. Horizontal displacement of wall and mobilised axial nail forces are also determined. The effect of orientation of nail with horizontal and length of nail inserted into the soil mass on the response of nailed structures are evaluated. Studies conclude that the nail inclination of 15° results in maximum safety factor, minimum deformation and least axial nail forces. Increasing nail length results in structures with higher safety factors but a minimum length of 0.7 times the height of the wall is recommended. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.