Performance data for a sloped reinforced soil wall

Abstract

A sloped reinforced soil wall, comprising two sections with a different arrangement and spacing of geogrid reinforcement, was built and monitored for loading conditions of self-weight, a cycle of surcharge load, and permanent surcharge loading of the wall crest. Instrumentation was used to measure force and strain in the reinforcement, soil strain and temperature, and earth pressure. Performance data are reported for a period of 20 months following completion of construction and describe the response to loading. Interpretation of the data addresses properties of the reinforcement and soil which are used in design and allows an evaluation of creep behaviour of the polymeric reinforcement. Key words: reinforced soil, field monitoring, creep.