The Application of Polymeric Reinforcement in Soil Retaining Structures

Polymeric materials are being used in earthworks construction with ever increasing frequency. The term "Geosynthetics" was recently coined to encompass a diverse range of polymeric products designed for geotechnical purposes. One such purpose is the tensile reinforcement of soil~. As ten­ sile reinforcement, polymers have been used in the form of textiles, grids, linear strips and single filaments to reinforce earth structures such as road embankments, steep slopes and vertically faced soil retaining walls. A considerable number of retaining structures have been successfully con­ structed using the tensile reinforcing properties of "geosynthetics" as their primary means of stabilization. Despite such successes sufficient uncertainty exists concerning the performance of these new materials, their manner of interaction with the soil and the new design methods needed, that many authorities are still reticent concerning their use in permanent works. This book represents the proceedings of a NATO Advanced Research Workshop on the "Application of Polymeric Reinforcement in Soil Retaining Struc­ tures" held at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario from June 8 to June 12, 1987. The initial concept for the workshop occur­ red during the ISSMFE Conference in San Francisco in 1985 when a group of geotextile researchers mooted the idea of hoiding a "prediction exercise" to test analytical and design methods for such structures.

Inhalt

Reinforced Soil Retaining Structures and Polymeric Materials.- Prediction Exercise.- and Rationale for Prediction Exercise.- Laboratory Investigation of Two Large-Scale Geogrid Reinforced Soil Walls.- Results of Class A Predictions for the RMC Reinforced Soil Wall Trials.- An Assessment of the Resistance of TENSAR SR2 to Physical Damage during the Construction and Testing of a Reinforced Soil Wall.- Preliminary Assessment of Sidewall Friction on Large Scale Wall Models in the RMC Test Facility.- Analysis and Predicted Behaviour for the Royal Military College Trial Wall.- Case Histories and Full Scale Trials.- Polymerically Reinforced Retaining Walls and Slopes in North America.- Geotextile-Reinforced Retaining Structures: A Few Instrumented Examples.- Geotextile Reinforced Retaining Walls: Discussion of Instrumented Large Scale Test with Respect to the Verification of Design Concepts.- Review of Session on Case Histories and Full Scale Trials.- Evaluation of Material Properties.- The Purpose of Materials Evaluation and Recommendations for Materials Testing.- Review of Session on Evaluation of Material Properties.- Evaluation of Material Properties - Discussion.- Analytical Techniques and Design Methods.- Reinforced Soil Wall Analysis and Behaviour.- Reinforcement Extensibility in Reinforced Soil Wall Design.- Design of Reinforced Soil Retaining Walls: Analysis and Comparison of Existing Design Methods and Proposal for a New Approach.- Factor of Safety Considerations in Reinforced Soil Structures.- Application of Finite Element Techniques to the Analysis of Reinforced Soil Walls.- Review of Session on Analytical Techniques and Design Methods.- Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Soil.- Reinforcing Elements in Steep Slopes and Vertical-Faced Earth Structures - German State of the Art.- Analytical Techniques and Design Methods - Discussion.- Construction Methods and Economics.- Construction Methods, Economics and Specifications.- Review of Session on Construction Methods and Economics.- Research Needs.- Research Needs, Review of Session.- Participants.- Group Photograph.- List of Participants.- Address List of Participants.