Analytical framework for prediction of facing connection loads in reinforced soil walls considering reinforcement downdrag

Abstract

Several reinforced soil wall failures were reported to have occurred at facing connections with reinforcing layers. These failures were generally attributed to reinforcement downdrag, which accompanies differential settlements between facings and backfills in reinforced soil walls. Overlooking reinforcement downdrag forces in design can result in underestimation of reinforcement loads at facing connections, which are an evident cause of several wall failures due to inadequacy of design and/or construction protocols. This study presents an analytical framework developed based on an analogy between reinforcement downdrag effect on facings of reinforced soil walls and soil friction effect on interfaces of rigid retaining walls. Specifically, the developed framework provides predictions of soil stresses and reinforcement loads at facings of reinforced soil walls that can be used in design to account for reinforcement downdrag. It was concluded that model predictions of horizontal earth pressure magnitudes at the facings of three reinforced soil walls matched well with field measurements. Finally, a peripheral analytical method was developed to predict differential settlements between facings and backfills in reinforced soil walls.