Journal Published Online: 19 March 2013
Volume 36, Issue 3

Effect of Geosynthetic Reinforcement in Active Zone on the Behavior of Sheet Pile Walls

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

The potential benefits of reinforcing the active zone behind a model sheet pile wall were studied. A series of plane strain laboratory model tests were performed on both unreinforced and reinforced active zones loaded with a rigid strip footing. Parameters including the sand relative density, reinforcement embedment depth, type of reinforcement, footing location relative to the sheet pile wall, length of reinforcement, and number of reinforcing layers were varied. The sheet pile wall deflection during loading was measured. Finite element (FE) analyses were performed on a prototype sheet pile wall to supplement the results of the model tests. A two-dimensional plane strain FE model using the computer code PLAXIS was used. Close agreement between the experimental and numerical results was observed (about 4 % to 11 %). The results indicate that the inclusion of reinforcement in the active zone leads to a reduction by about 48 % to 75 % in the lateral deflection. The effectiveness of the reinforcement in decreasing the lateral deflection of the sheet pile wall is attributed to its tensile strength and type. Based on the results of the laboratory model and the numerical analyses, critical values of reinforcement parameters for maximum reinforcing effects are suggested. The results are used to development linear regression equations relating the ultimate lateral capacity of the sheet pile wall to the aforementioned parameters.

Author Information

Nasr, Ahmed
Structural Engineering Dept., Faculty of Engineering, Tanta Univ., Tanta, EG
Nazir, Ashraf
Structural Engineering Dept., Faculty of Engineering, Tanta Univ., Tanta, EG
Pages: 14
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: GTJ20120101
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ20120101