Centrifuge modeling on the effect of mechanical connection on the dynamic performance of narrow geosynthetic reinforced soil wall

Abstract

As people migrate to densely populated cities, the importance of establishing a new transportation infrastructure to meet their needs becomes increasingly critical. The limited space available for construction makes a narrow geosynthetic reinforced soil (GRS) wall a cost-effective alternative. Prior research has primarily examined the performance of narrow GRS walls under static loads, revealing that these structures are highly vulnerable to significant crest displacements. Consequently, multiple studies have recommended incorporating mechanical connections in the upper layer during the construction of narrow GRS walls. However, some places are more susceptible to earthquakes; hence, this research was conducted to investigate the dynamic response of narrow GRS walls and quantify the effect of mechanical connections on increasing the stability of narrow GRS walls. Two sets of narrow GRS wall models were constructed, with and without mechanical connections to a stable wall, and subjected to a similar series of earthquakes. The test results indicate that the mechanical connection can reduce the accumulated normalized horizontal displacement of narrow GRS walls by 30–80% after being subjected to the same dynamic input motion excitation.