Abstract
Research on the retaining structures for high-steep slopes is extremely significant because of its real-world applications and far-reaching implications. A flexible geocell-reinforced ecological retaining wall as a high-steep slope protection scheme was developed and applied to the slope protection project of the Ji-Lai Expressway by analyzing the reinforcement mechanism of the geocell used. The lateral displacement and Earth pressure distribution on the flexible ecological retaining wall applied to the high-steep slope were studied using finite element numerical simulations and verified using field experiments. Results reveal that the wall maximum horizontal displacement is 2/3 H away from the wall toe because of the replacement of the upper part of soil. There is an obvious bucking effect on the active Earth pressure around the stiffened site, and the flexible deformation of the retaining wall helped effectively release some of the Earth pressure. Consequently, the measured value is lower than the theoretical value. Through this case study, it is demonstrated that the flexible ecological retaining wall as a slope protection technology can be successfully applied to steep slopes with a height of more than 15 m. Moreover, it brings significant advantages for protecting the ecological environment and improving the highway landscape.
Highlights
High-grade highway slopes are built in the process of filling embankments or during excavations to improve highway networks
Liu et al [7] employed the pseudostatic method and limit equilibrium method to study the effect of embedded depth on the critical acceleration of a soil-wall system and quantified the seismic rotational stability of a gravity retaining wall. ey showed that the embedded depth of the footing significantly influences the stability of the wall: they emphasized on using a deep footing for gravity retaining walls intended for high-steep slope protection
In this study, based on a structural analysis and finite element numerical simulation of a geocell-reinforced retaining wall, a high-steep slope protection scheme is applied to a highway slope of the Ji-Lai Expressway. e simulation results were verified using field test monitoring data, and the lateral Earth pressure and displacement distribution were studied. ese results can serve as a basis for further research on geocell-reinforced retaining walls as a highway slope protection scheme
Summary
High-grade highway slopes are built in the process of filling embankments or during excavations to improve highway networks To stabilize such slopes, surface protection measures are implemented, such as grout coating, concrete coating, and mortar rubble coating, and common measures, such as flexible retaining walls and rigid retaining walls, are applied to retain a reinforced structure [1, 2]. There are some gaps between practical application and theoretical analysis with respect to geocell-reinforced retaining walls under different geological conditions; the study of the effects of lateral Earth pressure and displacement distribution might as well be regarded as an important research topic. In this study, based on a structural analysis and finite element numerical simulation of a geocell-reinforced retaining wall, a high-steep slope protection scheme is applied to a highway slope of the Ji-Lai Expressway. In this study, based on a structural analysis and finite element numerical simulation of a geocell-reinforced retaining wall, a high-steep slope protection scheme is applied to a highway slope of the Ji-Lai Expressway. e simulation results were verified using field test monitoring data, and the lateral Earth pressure and displacement distribution were studied. ese results can serve as a basis for further research on geocell-reinforced retaining walls as a highway slope protection scheme
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